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Moses kicks off his second sermon in Chapter 5. The first four chapters took the Israelites on a journey through memory lane and helped them to learn by looking back into their past. His second sermon shifts their focus from looking back, to looking up, for their present instruction, so that they might walk in obedience to it. With the prospect of entering the Promised Land after 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, Moses wanted this generation of Israelites to recognize that with freedom comes responsibility.

Two factors on the journey that play a significant role in keeping our hearts inclined upwards:

1. Experience and Remember God’s Great Salvation (vs. 1-6)

- God was, and always is, the gracious initiator of a relationship with people (cf. Jn. 3:16-17; Rom. 5:8; 1 Jn. 4:19)

- God’s great act of redemption is what should motivate His people to hear, learn and follow His commands (cf. Ps. 51:12)

- The end goal is not “head knowledge,” it is “life change” through obedience.

Do you have a personal relationship with God? Have you repented of your sins, believed in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and are you following Him? If you answered yes, then by God’s grace, how is your motivation to hear, learn, and follow God’s commands? Does your commitment to studying the truth of God’s Word reflect your appreciation of His great redemption in your life? What practical ways can you be more diligent in learning the truth of God’s word? (cf. 2 Tim. 2:15; Mt. 4:4)

2. Know and Follow God’s Commands (vs. 7-21)

Part 1: (vs. 7-15)

- God’s commands (in particular, the first 4 commandments) help us to know how to live in right relationship with Him

- God’s people are to be totally and exclusively loyal to God, who alone rescues His people from bondage; therefore, He alone is to be worshipped

- God is righteous and holy; we should respond to Him with the reverence He alone deserves

- Both the Old Covenant (Sabbath) and the New Covenant (the Lord’s Day) emphasize the importance of devoting one day in seven to the Lord for worship and service

Is your vertical relationship with God negatively affected because you are not taking the principles of any of these commands seriously? Do you have any other gods before Him? Do you have idols in your life that need to be removed? Do you honour the holy and awesome name of God? Do you prioritize setting aside dedicated time each week to worship and serve God?

Part 2: (vs. 16-21)

- God’s commands (in particular, the last 6 commandments) help us to know how to live in right relationship with other people

- Living in right relationship with others must start in the home

- Living in right relationship with others means:

Protecting the sanctity of life
Protecting the sanctity of marriage, as God designed it to be (Gen. 2:18-24)
Not taking what does not belong to you
Not telling lies about others
Not having sinful longings or desires in your heart regarding anything that belongs to another

Is your horizontal relationship with others being negatively affected because you are not taking the principles in any of these commands seriously? In what areas of your life has a deeper look into God’s law caused you to realize that you are missing the mark? What do you need to do about that? Confess, repent, and follow Jesus (1 Jn. 1:9).

“Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always…”  Jehovah

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