提要
在進入應許之地以前，以色列的新生代需要瞭解他們與上帝立約的意義，所以摩西就敍述了四十年前上帝在何烈山（西乃）與他們立約的一些細節。他強調，上帝當時所頒佈的十誡仍舊與他們有關（正如十誡對今天的我們仍有重大的意義）。基於上帝將以色列人從埃及地救贖出來，摩西激勵他們，因此要過分別為聖的生活，順服他們獨一、全能的上帝。順服上帝也是立約的條款之一。
摩西對這群新生代複述十誡，但其中有些微變化（參出20：3~17），是考慮到以色列人目前正準備進入應許之地的情況。這十條基本法確立了以色列人與上帝關係的基礎。十誡在以色列的歷史上有極大的影響力，對今天的世界也一樣，因為它們是道德原則和現代法律的基礎。如果以色列人謹守遵行這些命令，又行上帝眼中看為正的事，他們就必蒙福，反之則必受咒詛（5：33；6：2~3；28：15以下）。
為了給以色列人一個範例，摩西告訴他們，他們的父母親聽見火中傳出上帝的聲音對他們曉諭十誡後，他們就對上帝產生肅穆、敬畏之心。上帝超凡的彰顯（5：22）顯示出祂對罪人的救贖之恩，使祂願意向他們啟示祂的榮耀。不過，當時的以色列人也為他們的小命擔憂，因為與上帝的聖潔如此接近，使他們益發感到自己的罪污和不配。所以他們求摩西從那時起作他們的中保。上帝的回答也表現出祂對他們（以及他們後裔）的大愛。上帝渴望以色列人將永遠如此的敬畏祂、遵守祂的命令，「使他們和他們的子孫永遠得福」！（5：29）上帝極願祝福祂的百姓，正如祂今日也樂意賜福祂的兒女一樣。
摩西在第六章以更懇切的語氣要求以色列人順服上帝。在有名的六章四節中（此節稱為shema，即希伯來文的「聽」，是六章四節的第一個字），摩西強調耶和華是獨一的主。這是關於他們耶和華上帝的重要啟示，也是信奉獨一真神的強烈宣示，有別於當時流行的多神信仰。以色列人惟獨要敬拜、事奉耶和華，因為只有以色列的上帝是真神。摩西曉得以色列人在迦南地將遇到的危險和試探，因此強烈的警告他們「不可隨從別神」，因為耶和華「是忌邪的上帝」，拜偶像將招來上帝的怒氣。他們定居在迦南地，過著舒適的生活後，要如何記念他們的上帝呢﹖摩西給他們三個簡潔的答案：「（1）敬畏你的上帝；（2）事奉祂，（3）及指著祂的名起誓」（6：13）。這三個方法是指將生命奉獻給主，不斷更新效忠於祂的誓言。
摩西也針對他們如何在迦南地敬畏、事奉上帝給予實際的指導。他們要在思想、會話中及透過外在的方式（6：9）將上帝的律法消化於心，使他們能在生活中的每一層面反覆思想上帝的律例、典章。教導他們的兒女認識上帝的律法也很重要，並要告訴他們的子孫以色列蒙救贖的歷史，使上帝得榮耀（6：7、20~23）。最重要的是，他們要用他們的全人來愛上帝，這樣他們自然會敬畏祂、順服祂所有的命令，並行祂所喜悅的事（6：5；參11：1、22；約14：15）。耶穌基督說「這是誡命中第一、也是最大的」（太22：38）。
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Overview
Before entering the Promised Land, it was necessary that his new generation of Israelites realize the significance of their covenant with God. Therefore, Moses relates some specific details of the covenant made at Mount Horeb (Sinai) forty years previously. He emphasized that the Ten Commandments were still relevant to them (just as they are still relevant to us today). Based on God’s redemptive act of delivering Israel from Egypt (for which they are indebted to Him), Moses challenged them to live in consecration and obedience to God, their sole Sovereign. This is a stipulation of the covenant, which they were in the process of renewing and solemnizing.
Moses repeated the Ten Commandments to the new generation with some slight variations, considering the present situation of Israel as they were in preparation for entering the Promised Land (cf. Ex.20:3-17). These ten basic laws established the foundation of Israel’s relationship with God. They had a great impact on Israel’s history, as well as on the world today, since they are the foundation for moral principles and modern law. If Israel would be careful to observe these commands of God and walk in His ways, the blessings of the covenant would result (5:33; 6:2-3). However, curses would result for breaking them (28:15 ff.)
To serve as an example for the people, Moses told them of their parents’ response in hearing these Ten Commandments with God’s own audible voice from the burning mount; it brought a godly fear and reverence for the Lord their God. This great manifestation (5:22) showed God’s redemptive grace toward sinful man, that He would reveal to them even this limited degree of His glory. However, they feared for their lives, for in experiencing the holiness of God so closely, they felt all the more their own sinfulness and unworthiness. Therefore, they pleaded that Moses would from then on serve as their mediator. God’s response showed His great love for them (and their descendants). He yearned that they would always fear Him and keep His commands, “that it might be well with them and with their children forever!” (5:29). The Lord desired to bless His people, just as He desires to do so for His children today.
Moses’ challenge to obedience is greatly elaborated on in chapter six. He stressed the oneness of God in the famous verse known as the schema, (Hebrew for “hear”, the first word of the verse, 6:4). This divinely revealed insight concerning their God, Yahweh, was a strong declaration of monotheism (belief in one God) against the common belief of their day in polytheism (many gods). The Israelites were to serve and worship Him alone, for only the God of Israel was, and is, a true deity. Moses, knowing the coming danger and temptations for Israel in the land of Canaan, strongly warned them to “not go after other gods”, for He is “jealous God” (6:14-15), and His wrath would be the result. How then were they to remember their God when they are settled and comfortable in Canaan? Moses gave a concise answer”[1] fear the Lord you God… [2] Serve Him, and… [3] Take oaths in His name” (6:13). The third way seems to mean a continual renewal of the oath of allegiance to God in a life dedicated to Him.
Moses gave practical illustrations of how they were to fear and serve God when in the land. They were to internalize God’s laws that they might be reflected in every aspect of life; in their thinking and conversation with others, as well as through outward means (6:9). It was also very important to teach their children the laws of history (6:7, 20-23). Most importantly, they were to love the Lord their God with all their being, which would naturally result in reverent obedience to all His commandments and walking in His ways (6:5; cf. 11:1, 22; John 14:15). Jesus Christ called this “the first and great commandment” (Matt.22:38)
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