Deuteronomy 5

Moses recalls the terrifying day the covenant was made at Mount Horeb (Sinai). He reminds the new generation that God spoke the Ten Commandments directly to them out of the fire and cloud. Moses emphasizes that the people were so frightened by God’s presence that they begged Moses to be the mediator. This retelling of the foundational covenant law is intended to renew their commitment and instill a fear of the Lord in the new generation before they enter the land.