5:1Deuteronomy 5:1

Moses called all Israel together at the Jordan when the time to pass over and possess Canaan was at hand, to hear the statutes and judgments spoken in their ears that day so they might learn them and keep and do them.7MR 309.1–3+4 Most who heard were a new generation, many having been children when the law was given or born in the wilderness, with few old enough to have comprehended its first solemn giving.SG4 52.2+2 To hear meant to learn, keep, and do, with full surrender at the start and continuing obedience to all the commandments from greatest to least, by which Israel would be a holy people unto Him in mind, soul, and body.STB 628.4–629.2+4 The commandments were to remain constantly before them and be repeatedly taught to their children to guide conduct and shield from temptation, including the Sabbath as the set-apart seventh day kept in memory of deliverance from Egypt and of God as Creator and Sanctifier.Ms 151, 1901, par. 25–26+4 What was charged to ancient Israel still binds God's people today and is to be studied and practically obeyed, for the world is nearing the great final review when every character shall have been investigated and every case decided for eternity.7MR 309.1–3+4

Moses called all Israel together to hear the statutes and judgments he spoke in their ears that day, that they might learn them and keep and do them.7MR 309.1–3+4 The call was to listen carefully to the repeated statutes and judgments and to learn, keep, obey, and put them into practice.7MR 309.1–3+4

The call was given at the river Jordan when the appointed time to possess Canaan was at hand.1SP 330.3+1 The people were soon to pass over Jordan and take the promised land, and God set the claims of His law before them at that decisive moment.1SP 330.3+1

The hearers were largely a new generation, for many had been children when the law was given and others had been born in the wilderness.SG4 52.2+2 Few then present had been old enough to comprehend the solemnity of its first giving, and many had not witnessed it, so the instruction was especially important to teach them the need to obey.SG4 52.2+2

God directed Moses to rehearse the deliverance from Egypt and the wilderness journeyings and to repeat the law spoken from Sinai.1SP 330.3+1 In doing so he restated God's commandments and laws, repeating the Ten Commandments and the circumstances of their giving.SG4 52.2+2 This introduced the covenant the Lord made in Horeb and the ten commandments spoken face to face from the midst of the fire, reminding the living people gathered there that God had spoken to them from the fire and they had pledged to follow His law.Ms 12, 1904, par. 6–18+1

The assembly was solemn and binding upon eternal welfare, and the trumpet called for earnest attention.Ms 152, 1901, par. 34–36 This renewed call to obedience gave Israel another opportunity after failure to keep their agreement.Ms 152, 1901, par. 34–36 Obedience was enjoined as the condition of prosperity, setting obedience before them as they entered upon their inheritance.Ms 152, 1901, par. 34–36+1

To hear is to learn the statutes and judgments, and to keep and do them, beginning with full surrender and continuing in simplicity of obedience to all the commandments according to His special directions.STB 628.4–629.2+2 That obedience extends from the greatest requirement to what may seem least, neglecting none of the important things specified in His Word.STB 628.4–629.2+1 The Lord's cooperation and blessing depend on that learning, keeping, and doing.Ms 12, 1904, par. 19

It was by thus learning and doing that Israel would be a holy people unto Himself, and this gives the reasons they are called God's people.7MR 309.1–3+1 Obedience belongs to walking in His ways and fearing Him.Lt 112, 1909, par. 22–24 It requires sanctification of mind, soul, and body, to obey His will perfectly and keep His holy commandments, and no excuse for disobedience is accepted.Lt 112, 1909, par. 22–24+1

Every soul is therefore to search the Scriptures for himself, to make the Word of the Lord the study book, and to sanctify himself daily according to the Word, lest he be found in rebellion.Lt 42, 1910, par. 6 Through such ones the Lord is glorified.Lt 42, 1910, par. 6 Failure to keep the precepts is disobedience and unbelief and failure to reverence God, even while many profess to serve the Lord and yet refuse to obey the precepts of His law.Ms 12, 1904, par. 19

The commandments were to remain constantly before the people, to be taught to their children, and to guide their conduct throughout life.Ms 151, 1901, par. 25–26+1 Repeatedly taught as Israel faced each test and experience, they make the right path plain and shield from temptation.Ms 151, 1901, par. 25–26+1 Important teachings were also put into songs which the people sang as they traveled through the wilderness, helping to educate them and keep their steps ordered, underscoring the importance of heeding God's Word rather than neglecting it.Ms 187, 1907, par. 13–14

Among these requirements is the command to honor the Sabbath, the seventh day set apart by God.Ms 151, 1901, par. 25–26+2 Its observance is a sign of obedience and of God as Creator and sanctifier.Lt 31, 1898, par. 22–25 The reason given is that God had brought Israel out of slavery in Egypt.Ms 63, 1897, par. 15–18 The creation behind the command is six ordinary twenty-four-hour days followed by rest on the seventh, not indefinite periods.Lt 31, 1898, par. 22–25

What was laid upon ancient Israel still rests upon God's people today, and the directions given then stand on record for study and for practical obedience.Ms 151, 1901, par. 25–26+2 The call to hear demands learning, keeping, and doing the commandments given, and divine cooperation and blessing depend on that obedience.Ms 151, 1901, par. 25–26+2 Failure to keep them is disobedience and unbelief and a failure to reverence God, and many who profess to serve Him refuse to obey the precepts of His law.Lt 292, 1908, par. 13+1 The wilderness instruction required sanctification of mind, soul, and body, and the same is still required of every person, with perfect obedience to His will and keeping of His holy commandments and no excuse accepted for disobedience.Ms 151, 1901, par. 25–26+2

God required His ancient people to learn and obey His commandments, statutes, and judgments in order to be a holy people unto Himself.7MR 309.1–3 That command still speaks now because the world is nearing God's great final review, when all must stand before the Judge of all the earth to answer for their deeds.7MR 309.1–3 The present is the time of investigation, when every character will have been investigated and every case decided for eternity, so these words are to be read with profit in preparation.7MR 309.1–3

The verse holds definite and clear truth of the highest importance, belonging to the guidance in Deuteronomy 4-11 for those carrying responsibility in sacred work.STB 628.4–629.2+1 God's directions are to be observed carefully, from the greatest to what may seem least.STB 628.4–629.2+1 It is to be given publicly in the Lord's order on the Sabbath to make an impression, taking the light from under the bushel and letting it shine forth.Lt 151, 1910, par. 3–4 Proclaiming it sounds the note of warning nigh and afar off to cities that have not been half worked, as part of the last message and last call to a perishing world.Lt 151, 1910, par. 3–4 Spoken in that order it commands perfect attention even from a crowded hall.Lt 151, 1910, par. 3–4