Deuteronomy 5:29
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If only they had such a heart to fear Me and keep all My commandments always, so that it might be well with them and with their children forever.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Oh, that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me--God can bestow such a heart, and has promised to give it, wherever it is asked (Jer 32:40). But the wish which is here expressed on the part of God for the piety and steadfast obedience of the Israelites did not relate to them as individuals, so much as a nation, whose religious character and progress would have a mighty influence on the world at large. Next: Deuteronomy Chapter 6
Open source ↗Ye shall walk in all the ways which the Lord your God hath commanded you,.... None are to be avoided or departed from on any consideration whatever; see Psa 119:6 an instance of this we have in Zacharias and Elizabeth, Luk 1:6 that ye may live; corporeally, comfortably, in all the outward enjoyments of life needful for them, particularly in the possession of the land of Canaan, and the benefits of it; for these promises of life upon obedience seem to reach no further, unless as types and emblems of what is enjoyed through the obedience and righteousness of Christ, as the following phrases show: and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess; the land of Canaan; though the Jewish writers (m) carry it further, even to heaven and eternal happiness; and so may we in the sense before given. (m) Moreh Nevochim, par. 3. c. 27. p. 418. Next: Deuteronomy Chapter 6
Open source ↗A. The True Essence of the Law and Its Fulfilment The exposition of the law commences with a repetition of the ten words of the covenant, which were spoken to all Israel directly by the Lord Himself.
Open source ↗In this chapter we have the second edition of the ten commandments. I. The general intent of them; they were in the nature of a covenant between God and Israel (Deu 5:1-5). II. The particular precepts are repeated (v. 6-21), with the double delivery of them, both by word and writing (Deu 5:22). III. The settling of the correspondence thenceforward between God and Israel, by the mediation and ministry of Moses. 1. It was Israel's humble petition that it might be so (Deu 5:23-27). 2. It was God's gracious grant that it should be so (Deu 5:28-31). And hence he infers the obligation they were under to obedience (Deu 5:32, Deu 5:33).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
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If only you had paid attention to My commandments, your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like waves of the sea.
You shall therefore love the LORD your God and always keep His charge, His statutes, His ordinances, and His commandments.
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!
and said, “If only you had known on this day what would bring you peace! But now it is hidden from your eyes.
Keep His statutes and commandments, which I am giving you today, so that you and your children after you may prosper, and that you may live long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you for all time.
Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that your days may be long and that it may go well with you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.
Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God.
“that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth.”
Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by its gates.
But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom, and continues to do so—not being a forgetful hearer, but an effective doer—he will be blessed in what he does.