“For who is there of all humanity that has heard the voice of the living God speaking from the fire, as we have, and stayed alive? You, go near; and hear everything Adonai our God says. Then you will tell us everything Adonai our God says to you; and we will listen to it and do it. Adonai heard what you were saying when you spoke to me, and Adonai said to me, ‘I have heard what this people has said when speaking to you, and everything they have said is good.”-Deuteronomy 5:23-25
Moses’ review of the 10 Commandments is now complete.
However, before finishing, he reminds the people of two important things.
FIRST, He reminds the people these 10 Commandments are the very laws which the people heard directly from the voice of God with their own ears.
The portion of the Torah the people didn’t receive directly from God were the 603 laws which were given to Moses afterwards and then passed along to the people.
SECOND, and this is connected to the first reminder, Moses makes it clear to the people that God would have been more than happy to continue giving all of the Torah directly to them.
However, because the people were so afraid of HASHEM’s fiery and awesome presence, they instead begged Moses to be their mediator and told Moses to ask God to stop speaking directly to them.
Next, let’s take a look at verses 25 and 26.
“Adonai heard what you were saying when you spoke to me, and Adonai said to me, ‘I have heard what this people has said when speaking to you, and everything they have said is good. Oh, how I wish their hearts would stay like this always, that they would fear me and obey all my mitzvot; so that it would go well with them and their children forever.”
This is interesting.
Rather than scolding Israel for preferring that Moses’ mediate instead of receiving the Law from the voice of God directly, the Lord commends them.
I believe this speaks volumes about God’s loving character.
God didn’t view Israel as weak, prone to superstition or unworthy to hear His voice.
No…instead God viewed Israel’s request for Moses to be a mediator as the JUST AND PROPER RESPONSE to His awesome presence.
In other words, Israel requesting that Moses mediate for them was proof that Israel had acquired a healthy fear and reverence for God.
The Lord respected their decision and told them that as long as they maintained a healthy fear of Him and kept His Torah then all would go well with them and their children forever!!!
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