1 Moses called all the people of Israel together and said, “Listen carefully, Israel, hear the decrees and regulations I am giving you today, so you may learn them and obey them. 2-5 The Lord our God made a covenant with us at Mount Sinai. The Lord did not make this covenant with our ancestors, but with all of us who are alive today. At the mountain the Lord spoke to you face to face from the heart of the fire. I stood as an intermediary between you and the Lord, for you were afraid of the fire and did not want to approach the mountain. He spoke to me, and I passed his words on to you. This is what he said:

6 “I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery. 7-9 You must not have any other god but me. You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind, or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. 9 You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected - even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. 10 But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands.” Deuteronomy 5:1-10 New Living Translation

Moses begins to tell the people whom God had rescued our of Egypt the instructions God had given him as to how they were to live from then on. How does he describe this remarkable relationship they now had with God? (vs 2-5)

A 'covenant' was a very solemn commitment between two parties. One could think of it as being like what marriage vows are meant to be. But because of God's awesomeness Moses had to be a 'go-between' for them and God. Although God met them 'face to face', His glory was so great that they only saw the fire and heard His voice. What does that tell us about God, and perhaps about ourselves as well?

God is not someone we approach 'on equal terms'. He is the creator of everything that exists and our lives are completely in His hands. So it's totally appropriate that it's God who sets out the terms of the covenant. We live in a society where everyone is 'making demands'. In most relationships people have expectations and say it is 'their right' to have certain things. But we can't do that with God. What was the big thing God said they were not to do (vs 7-8) – and why? (vs 9)

Remember that those were days when every nation had idols to represent what they imagined God to be like. Many nations still do that today. God, however, wanted Israel to love Him exclusively and faithfully. They were not to share their affection with those 'other gods'. They were to remain true to Him. Our picture of marriage today flows out of this relationship that God wanted with Israel. We are meant to stay true to one another.

So, in verses 9-10, God set out what would happen if they were unfaithful - but also the wonderful outcome if their love stayed true. Some people say 'its not fair' for God to let punishment flow to the children as well, as vs 9 says. But I'd say He wanted parents to know just how bad 'spiritual adultery' is, and how far the consequences go. Notice how ready God is to extend blessing to those who are faithful. (vs 10) Parents should take to heart that they can be either a blessing or a burden to their children.

Most of those who read these devotions are probably not likely to bow down to physical idols. But let's remember what Paul wrote to Christians in Colossians 3:1-6: “Since you've been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth! Put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy - for a greedy person is an idolater, worshipping the things of this world.” God wants our love to be true – because that's how He loves us.