Deuteronomy 5:27

Go thou near, and hear all that the Lord our God shall say: and speak thou unto us all that the Lord our God shall speak unto thee; and we will hear it, and do it.

Deuteronomy 5:27 (KJV)

Context

Deuteronomy records Moses’ sermons to Israel on the plains of Moab, just before they entered the Promised Land. Here Moses recalls Mount Sinai, where God spoke directly to the people and gave them the Ten Commandments. The people were afraid of God’s direct voice and the fire on the mountain, so they asked Moses to act as an intermediary. Their fear was not rejection of God’s word but a recognition of His holiness and their own unworthiness. They desired to hear God’s words through a mediator, and they promised to obey.

Meaning

The people’s request shows reverence for God’s holiness and awareness of their own weakness. They did not reject God’s word; they wanted to hear it through Moses. Their promise, “we will hear it, and do it,” reveals that true hearing leads to obedience. Hearing God’s word is not enough; it must be followed by action. This verse captures the people’s request, which God later approves (see Deuteronomy 5:28). Their response is a model of faithful commitment to divine revelation.

Biblical connections

God approved their request, as seen in Deuteronomy 5:28. This moment foreshadows the need for a mediator between God and humanity, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who perfectly reveals God’s word and enables obedience through the New Covenant. The people’s request also underscores the role of faithful messengers in transmitting divine truth. The phrase “we will hear it, and do it” emphasizes that hearing God’s word must lead to action. This pattern of listening and obeying runs through Scripture, calling God’s people to respond in faith.

Application

This verse calls believers to approach God with reverence, listen attentively to His word, and respond in obedience. Like the Israelites, we should recognize our need for guidance and commit to doing what God says. We also benefit from faithful teachers who help us understand Scripture, but our responsibility remains to hear and obey. The people’s request for Moses to speak God’s words to them underscores the role of faithful messengers in transmitting divine truth. We can draw near to God through Christ, our mediator, and receive His word with humble hearts.

Reflection

Consider your own attitude toward God’s word. Do you listen with the same commitment to obey? The Israelites’ promise challenges us to move beyond hearing to doing. Through Jesus, our mediator, we have access to God’s words and the power to follow them. Let us echo their resolve: “we will hear it, and do it.“