The Greatest Commandment
January 11, 2023
Commentary
This chapter of Deuteronomy provides the central theme of Deuteronomy. It sets a pattern that helps us relate the Word of God to our daily lives. (vv. 1-5). Furthermore, Moses explains that the key to teaching your children to love God and to follow Him is that you must make God a part of your everyday experience. You must teach your children diligently to see God in all aspects of life, not just those that are church related. How we live is important because it backs up what we say (vv. 6-9). Moses admonished parents to discuss God’s Word in the home, among their children, and to allow the Word to guide them throughout the day. The Jews took these commandments literally and wore portions of Scripture in containers called phylacteries on their forehead and arm (Matt. 23:5).
Having reminded the Israelites of the Ten Commandments he turns to the details of the law which they did not hear because they were afraid of the voice of God. The law was given so that the people could express their reverence for and obedience to the Lord. By fearing and obeying Him they would find prosperity and a long life in their new land. Moses warns the people not to forget God when they enter the Promised Land and become prosperous (vv. 10-11). There is a big danger in prosperity, because when a person prospers, he tends to forget God (Prov. 30:7-9). Prosperity more than poverty tends to dull our spiritual vision.
Application
I need to be careful when I try to give myself credit for success. It is only by the grace of God that all our children are walking with the Lord and serving Him as missionaries. To God be the glory!
Deuteronomy 6:1– 11 (NET)
1 Now these are the commandments, statutes, and ordinances that the Lord your God instructed me to teach you so that you may carry them out in the land where you are headed 2 and that you may so revere the Lord your God that you will keep all his statutes and commandments that I am giving you—you, your children, and your grandchildren—all your lives, to prolong your days. 3 Pay attention, Israel, and be careful to do this so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in number —as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, said to you, you will have a land flowing with milk and honey.
4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! 5 You must love the Lord your God with your whole mind, your whole being, and all your strength.
6 These words I am commanding you today must be kept in mind, 7 and you must teach them to your children and speak of them as you sit in your house, as you walk along the road, as you lie down, and as you get up. 8 You should tie them as a reminder on your forearm and fasten them as symbols on your forehead. 9 Inscribe them on the doorframes of your houses and gates.
10 Then when the Lord your God brings you to the land he promised your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to give you—a land with large, fine cities you did not build, 11 houses filled with choice things you did not accumulate, hewn-out cisterns you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant—and you eat your fill,