Deuteronomy 5:15
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Deuteronomy 5:15
15 And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the LORD thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day.
Chapter Context
Deuteronomy 5 is a sermonic and legal chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of covenant, obedience, love. Written during the end of the wilderness wandering (c. 1406 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Moses delivered these speeches as Israel prepared to enter a land filled with different Canaanite city-states.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-33: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it addresses timeless questions about faith, suffering, and divine purpose. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Deuteronomy and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Deuteronomy 5:15
15 And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the LORD thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day.
Analysis
The redemptive grounding 'remember that thou wast a servant in Egypt, and that the LORD thy God brought thee out' connects Sabbath rest to exodus deliverance. Israel, once enslaved without rest, must grant rest to others. The phrase 'therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath' reveals that experiencing God's redemptive grace produces compassionate obedience. This illustrates gospel ethics: believers, redeemed from sin's bondage, extend mercy to others. Sabbath becomes both memorial of redemption and anticipation of eternal rest in Christ.
Historical Context
Egypt enslaved Israel approximately 400 years (Genesis 15:13) before God's deliverance through Moses (circa 1446 BC). Hebrew slaves labored continuously making bricks and mortar without rest (Exodus 5:6-19). God's deliverance through ten plagues, Passover, and Red Sea crossing freed Israel from this bondage. The Sabbath command constantly reminded Israel of their redemption, motivating compassion toward servants and strangers experiencing parallel bondage.
Reflection
- How does remembering redemption from bondage motivate compassionate treatment of others, particularly the vulnerable?
- In what ways should Christians' experience of redemption from sin's slavery through Christ shape how we treat and rest with those in our care?
Word Studies
- Lord: יְהוָה / אֲדֹנָי (YHWH / Adonai) H3068 - The LORD / Lord
Cross-References
- References God: Deuteronomy 5:6, 15:15
- References Egypt: Deuteronomy 16:12