Meaning of Deuteronomy 5:6

This foundational declaration by God in Deuteronomy 5:6 serves as the preamble to the Ten Commandments, grounding their authority and obligation in His redemptive act of liberating the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. It is not merely a historical recounting but a covenantal assertion of divine identity and relationship, establishing God as the sovereign Lord who has demonstrated His power and faithfulness through a singular act of salvation. The phrase "I am the Lord your God" signifies a personal and exclusive relationship, a claim that He alone is their deity and the source of their liberation, thereby demanding their exclusive allegiance and obedience. The subsequent clause, "who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery," underscores the basis for this demand: His prior, undeniable act of grace and power. This act is the antecedent to the Law; the Law is not an arbitrary set of rules but a covenantal response to God's salvific initiative, outlining how His redeemed people are to live in light of His character and their new status.

Context and Background

Deuteronomy 5:6 is spoken by Moses to the second generation of Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before they are to enter the Promised Land. This generation, unlike their parents who perished in the wilderness, has not directly experienced the exodus from Egypt. Therefore, Moses reiterates the foundational events and covenantal promises to prepare them for their new life in Canaan. The Ten Commandments (or the Decalogue) are being reissued here, just as they were originally given at Mount Sinai (recorded in Exodus 20). The emphasis in Deuteronomy is on remembrance, obedience, and the consequences of faithfulness or unfaithfulness. This verse, therefore, sets the stage by reminding the people who their God is and what He has done for them, providing the essential context for understanding the weight and significance of the commandments that follow.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Sovereignty and Identity: "I am the Lord" asserts God's supreme authority and His unique divine name, signifying His eternal existence and power.
• Redemptive Grace: The act of bringing them out of Egypt highlights God's initiative in salvation. He is not merely a distant deity but one who actively intervenes in human history for the liberation of His people.
• Covenantal Relationship: The phrase "your God" establishes a binding, relational covenant. God is their God, and they are His people, a relationship forged in the crucible of slavery and exodus.
• Basis for Obedience: The exodus is presented as the reason for obedience. God's redemptive work is the antecedent to His Law; the commandments are the appropriate response to His gracious deliverance.

Spiritual Significance and Application

For believers today, this verse serves as a profound reminder of God's salvific work in Christ. Just as God liberated the Israelites from physical slavery in Egypt, He liberates believers from the spiritual bondage of sin through the sacrifice of Jesus. The declaration "I am the Lord your God" now resonates as "I am the Lord, your God in Christ." The exodus becomes a powerful metaphor for the new birth and redemption found in Him. Understanding this foundational act of deliverance is crucial for comprehending the nature of Christian discipleship, which is a response of love and obedience to God's redemptive grace, not a means to earn salvation.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This verse is a cornerstone of the Old Testament narrative and a crucial link to the New Testament. The exodus is the defining event for Israel, shaping their identity and theology. It is repeatedly referenced throughout Scripture as proof of God's faithfulness and power. In the New Testament, Jesus is often presented as the new Moses, leading His people out of a greater bondage (sin and death) through His own sacrificial death and resurrection. The Passover, commemorating the exodus, finds its ultimate fulfillment in the Lord's Supper, which remembers Christ's atoning sacrifice.

Analogies

1. The Rescuer: Imagine a person trapped in a burning building. The firefighter who risks their life to pull them out is not then asking for payment or demanding unreasonable conditions for their rescue; their act of saving them is primary. The rescued person's subsequent gratitude and willingness to follow the firefighter's safety instructions are a natural response to the profound gift of life.
2. The Liberator: Think of a nation under oppressive rule. The leader who leads a successful rebellion and liberates their people is then in a position to establish new laws and a new way of life for those they have freed. The liberation is the prerequisite for the new order.

Relation to Other Verses

• Exodus 20:2: "I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery." This is the original pronouncement of the Ten Commandments, from which Deuteronomy draws. Deuteronomy's repetition emphasizes the enduring importance of this foundation.
• Joshua 24:2-13: Joshua recounts God's history with Israel, from Abraham to the conquest of Canaan, emphasizing God's faithfulness and power as the basis for their covenant renewal.
• Jeremiah 31:31-34: The prophecy of the New Covenant speaks of God writing His laws on their hearts, a fulfillment of the covenant initiated with the exodus and the Law given at Sinai.
• 1 Corinthians 10:1-4: Paul explicitly draws a parallel between the Israelites' exodus and the spiritual realities of Christian experience, seeing their miraculous crossing and provision as prefigurations of Christ and the nourishment He provides.
• Hebrews 12:25-29: The author of Hebrews warns against rejecting God who spoke from Earth (at Sinai), contrasting it with the even greater significance of Christ's voice, emphasizing the gravity of responding to God's redemptive initiatives.