Deuteronomy 5-6

In Deuteronomy 5, we first read of Moses summoning the people of Israel and reminding them of the Ten Commandments. Notice how Moses captures the Israelites’ response to this moment: 

And as soon as you heard the voice out of the midst of the darkness, while the mountain was burning with fire, you came near to me, all the heads of your tribes, and your elders. And you said, ‘Behold, the LORD our God has shown us his glory and greatness, and we have heard his voice out of the midst of the fire. This day we have seen God speak with man, and man still live. Now therefore why should we die? For this great fire will consume us. If we hear the voice of the LORD our God any more, we shall die. For who is there of all flesh, that has heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the midst of fire as we have, and has still lived? Go near and hear all that the LORD our God will say, and speak to us all that the Lord our God will speak to you, and we will hear and do it’ (5:23-27; emphasis added).

God’s people trembled at His voice and glory, and this reverential fear prompted them to declare their intention to obey all that their Lord said. (Unfortunately, we know the Israelites’ best-laid plans were not lasting, as no more than forty days later they were worshipping a golden calf.) For the body of Christ alive today, though, I wonder if our reluctance to fully submit ourselves to the supreme authority of Jesus is directly tied to an absence of or lukewarm esteem, respect, and reverence for Him in our hearts?

As we move into chapter 6, we come to two familiar passages. First, Moses tells all gathered to “love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might” (6:4). You may recall this was a command that Jesus elevated above all others in Matthew 22, and it serves as the foundation for what Jews consider to be their most powerful prayer (the Shema). This was a call to wholehearted devotion to God, and it is very much still relevant for us in the present. God’s laws are given for our good, and although I fall short of loving Him anywhere close to fully, I can attest that the more my love for Him grows, the better all other areas of my life seem to be. Assuredly, when we seek first His Kingdom, it is amazing to see how He takes care of everything else (Matthew 6:33). 

Moses then conveys to the Israelites a call to pass on all that God commanded to their children (which is also included in the Shema prayer):

And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates (6:6-9).

The Hebrew word for teach in this passage denotes the idea of teaching diligently and incisively.[i] As you read the remainder of these verses, you can see what this practically entails. This is not just a call to open up your Bible on Sunday mornings for church. This is a methodical approach to ensuring your kids are equipped with God’s wisdom and knowledge for any situation they may encounter. Everywhere they turn, while in our homes, our children ought to be trained in the Truth. The easiest way to do this will be for you to have a vibrant walk with God yourself, as these responses will become your default counsel—the natural overflow of your relationship with God. Parents, we must be intentional about removing worldly influences fighting so hard for our kids’ attention and replace them with teachable moments from God’s Word. Begin when they are young and build it into your family culture. You won’t regret making this intentional effort with these precious little ones entrusted to your care. 

Moses continues his discourse by reminding the Israelites not to forget the LORD when they enter the Promised Land (6:12), speaking to mankind’s proclivity to believe they don’t need God during the good times (or even thank Him for those moments). Then, we see that victory in battle, sustained life, and overall goodness are promised to those who faithfully, carefully, and intentionally do what God has commanded (6:19-25). As we discussed in yesterday’s reading, we experience a life of abundant blessings when we submit ourselves to God’s design. That doesn’t mean bad things won’t happen to us, as we live in a fallen world full of sin, but the joy, peace, and vitality we enjoy are more than anything we could ever comprehend or imagine. Take God at His word, and watch Him faithfully deliver on His promises! 

- - - - - -

Journal responses to the following prompts:

·       Parents, are you diligently teaching God’s truths to your children? Can you confidently state that they will be equipped to leave your home with a biblical worldview? 

·       How can you ensure you remember your dependence upon God in the good times? 

[i] šānan. (n.d.). Blue Letter Bible. Retrieved February 26, 2021, from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H8150&t=NIV