Deuteronomy 5:25Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

When Israel envisioned God in the grandeur with which He was typically revealed, his heart was overwhelmed with dread at the thought of approaching the Almighty, let alone gazing upon His face. "And now let us not be lost," Israel said to Moses after receiving the Ten Words, "for this great fire shall consume us if we attempt to listen to the voice of the Lord our God and perish." Initially, it seems that fear triumphed over love, but ultimately love prevailed, as exemplified by Moses and as we might consider regarding the soul's emotions. It was natural to feel fear in the presence of such a terrifying God; however, as God expressed mercy and grace, and as humanity grew in its experience of yielding to His will, this fear began to lessen. Consequently, the heart and conscience gained a greater sense of assurance and the courage to approach God with faith and a childlike boldness.

The Israelites, while confident in the safety of heeding the words spoken directly by the Lord, remained uncertain about their ongoing security. They expressed to Moses, "Even now let us not be destroyed," referring to their fear of dying near the fearsome blaze. They believed that this great fire, which could lead to their demise, would not harm them as long as they had not yet perished from the divine presence revealed through it. They feared that if they continued to listen solely to the voice of God, they might face destruction from what had thus far posed no threat to them.