Deuteronomy 5  Moses reminds this new generation of Israelites that God made a covenant with them.. not just with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.. but with all of Israel. The covenant was made at Horeb.. and the whole nation agreed to this great covenant.  So.. listen and observe these commandments.. so that "it may be well with you.."  he tells them again. 

Some of these people had been children during that meeting between God and man at Mt Horeb.  Maybe some had yet to be born.  Their parents and grandparents had seen the fire burning there on the mountain. They had heard the voice of God. They had made the covenant.. but they had failed to listen.. and failed to observe the Lord's Word.  This new generation had a chance to learn from their parents' mistakes and to build a nation in the land God was giving them.  It would be a nation unlike any other... if they listened and obeyed:

The nation of Israel would have the Lord, their God.. and no other gods or idols.  They would worship Him alone according to the Word that He had given them.  They would love Him and keep His commandments. 

This new nation would lift up the name of their God, honoring Him and refusing to take His name in any evil, useless, or deceptive way. 

They would observe the sabbath day. They would honor God by resting and allowing all of their children, servants, and animals to rest.  They would remember that the Lord, their God had rescued them from Egypt and slavery, with His own "mighty hand and by an outstretched arm.. " and they would "observe the sabbath day." 

The nation of Israel would be a nation that practiced respect and honor towards their fathers and mothers. They would not murder. They would not commit adultery. They would not steal or bear false witness. And they would not covet what belonged to their neighbors. 

This new nation of Israel had every opportunity to make this happen. They still do.  "Oh that they had such a heart in them, that they would fear Me, and keep My commandments always, that it may be well with them and with their sons forever!"

Here is the will of God for God's people.  It is the way He wants us  all to walk.. to "not turn aside to the right or to the left.."  It is the way that Jesus came to make possible for us. It is the way of righteousness. 

Father in heaven, help us to live according to Your Word by the power of Your Spirit who lives in us... to strengthen us, to give us life in Christ Jesus, to abide with us forever.  We confess our need for Your salvation.. for Your Mighty Hand and outstretched Arm.. to bring us into Your Holy Presence , complete and without blame through the cleansing blood of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Have Your way in us today we pray.. in the Name of our Lord, Jesus Christ  ,Amen.