Deuteronomy 6

Deuteronomy 6:1

B. Warnings Against Disobedience (Chap. 6)6:1-9 When the people would enter the Promised Land, God wanted them to be in a right moral condition. In order to enjoy the land as He intended, they must be an obedient people. Therefore, Moses gave them practical instruction to fit them for life in Canaan (vv. 1, 2). The Israelites were to bear testimony to the truth that God is the only true God (vv. 3, 4). They were to love Him supremely and keep His Word (vv. 5, 6). The commandments of the Lord were to be taught diligently to their children and to guide them in every department of their lives. Many Christian parents take this passage as a mandate to teach their own children, not only the faith, but also other so-called secular subjects, rather than sending them to humanistic schools. In the days of Christ, the Jews actually bound portions of the law to their hands and suspended them between their eyes (v. 8). But doubtless the Lord intended rather that their actions (hand) and desires (eyes) should be controlled by the law. Verses 4-9 are known as the “Shema” (Heb. for “hear”) and were recited daily as a creed by devout Jews along with Deu_11:13-21 and Num_15:37-41. The Hebrew word for “one” in verse 4 is significant, viewed in the light of the fuller revelation of the New Testament. It stands, not for absolute unity, but for compound unity, and is thus consistent with both the names of God used in this verse. Jehovah (LORD) emphasizes His oneness. Elohim (God) emphasizes His three persons. The same mysterious hints of trinity in unity occur in the very first verse of the Bible, where “Elohim” is followed by a singular verb (created) and in Gen_1:26, where the plural pronouns us and our are followed by the singular nouns image and likeness (Daily Notes of the Scripture Union). 6:10-15 When the people would enter the land and enjoy its great prosperity, there was a danger that they would forget the One who gave the law to them or that they would go after other gods. Obedience to the law was not so much a means of gaining favor with Jehovah as it was of showing love to Him. Biblical love is not a warm sentimentality but a calculated pattern of conformity to the revealed will of God. Love is not an option but a necessity for wellbeing. God’s jealousy (zeal for His own glory) would destroy the people if they broke His covenant through disobedience. 6:16 The Lord Jesus quoted this verse in Mat_4:7 and Luk_4:12 to answer the tempter’s suggestion that He throw Himself down from the pinnacle of the temple. At Massah, there was not enough water to drink, and the people questioned that Jehovah was with them (Ex. 17). To doubt God’s care and goodness is to tempt Him. 6:17-25 Obedience would bring victory over Israel’s foes (vv. 17-19). Future generations were to be instructed in God’s deliverance of the people from Egypt and of His giving of the law for their good and blessing (vv. 20-25). Compare verse 25 with Rom_3:21-22. The law says, “if we are careful to observe”; grace says, “to all and on all those who believe.” Today believers are clothed with the righteousness on which the law was based, the righteousness of God (2Co_5:21), and this according to faith, not works (Rom_4:5).