Charles Ellicott Commentary Deuteronomy 5:28-31

"And Jehovah heard the voice of your words, when ye spake unto me; and Jehovah said unto me, I have heard the voice of the words of this people, which they have spoken unto thee: they have well said all that they have spoken. Oh that there were such a heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever! Go say to them, Return ye to your tents. But as for thee, stand thou here by me, and I will speak unto thee all the commandment, and the statutes, and the ordinances, which thou shalt teach them, that they may do them in the land which I give them to possess it." — Deuteronomy 5:28-31 (ASV)

And the Lord heard the voice of your words ... — The divine comment on the words of the people is recorded only in Deuteronomy. However, to obtain a complete record of it, we must refer to Deuteronomy 18:18-19. It will appear by comparing the two passages that the promise of the prophet like Moses was given at this very time: “They have well said all that they have spoken.

I will raise them up a prophet from among their brothers, like you, and will put my words in His mouth” (Deuteronomy 18:17–18). It is quite remarkable that He who gave the Law from Sinai “in blackness and darkness and tempest” should, on that very day, acknowledge the need for a different form of teaching for His people, and should promise it then and there.

But it must not be forgotten that He “whose voice then shook the earth” is the very same Person who “speaks from heaven” now. He who pronounced the Law in the letter writes it on the heart by His Spirit. The Angel of the covenant and the Prophet like Moses are one. He who gave the Law on Sinai died under it on Calvary, and provided for its observance forever.

O that there were such a heart in them! — Literally, Who will grant that this heart shall be in them, to fear me, and to keep all my commandments all the days? He who asked the question has also supplied the answer: “I will put my laws in their hearts, and in their minds will I write them.” Or, more exactly, as stated in Hebrews 8:10, “Giving my laws into their understanding, I will also write them upon their hearts.” The need for a Mediator like themselves was well stated by the people; it was also met by Him who said, “They have well said all that they have spoken.”