“The LORD our God made a covenant with us in Horeb.”
Cross references: : Exod. 19:5 , 6
“The LORD made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive this day.”
Some read, God made not this covenant, that is, in such ample forth and with such signs and wonders.
“The LORD talked with you face to face in the mount out of the midst of the fire,”
So plainly that ye need not to doubt thereof.
“I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. bondage: Heb. servants”
Or, servant. Exod. 20:2 ; Lev. 26:1 ; Ps. 97:7 , 9
“Thou shalt have none other gods before me.”
God bindeth us to serve him only, without superstition and idolatry.
“Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me,”
Exod. 34:7 ; Jer. 32:18 That is, of his honor, not permitting it to be given to others.
“And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.”
The first degree to keep the commandments, is to love God.
“Six days thou shalt labour, and do all thy work:”
Meaning, since God permitteth six days to our labors, that we ought willingly to dedicate the seventh to serve him wholly.
“Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.”
Not for a show, but with true obedience, and due reverence.
“Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour's wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour's house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbour's.”
He speaketh not only of that resolute will, but that there be no motion or affection. Rom. 7:7
“These words the LORD spake unto all your assembly in the mount out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice: and he added no more. And he wrote them in two tables of stone, and delivered them unto me.”
Teaching us by his example to be content with his word, and add nothing thereto.
“O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!”
He requireth of us nothing but obedience, showing also that of ourselves we are unwilling thereunto.
“Ye shall observe to do therefore as the LORD your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.”
Ye shall neither add nor diminish, Deut. 4:2 .
“Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess.”
As by obedience, God giveth us all felicity: so of disobeying God proceed all our miseries.