This Week with the Word

The Uniform Lesson for August 23
Background & Commentary by Sam E. Stone

This week’s lesson is taken from Deuteronomy; the book’s name means “a repetition of the law.” It was written by Moses. (Obviously the introduction in 1:1-5 and the report of his death at the end of chapter 34 were inserted later by another writer.) The book provides a second telling of the law originally given on Mount Sinai and first recorded in Exodus 19-31.

The speeches of Moses in Deuteronomy represent the formal covenant treaty the Lord made with his people, Israel. Professor Gary Hall points out that structurally Deuteronomy 6:4-9 provides the fundamental statement of this message of Moses, with the rest of the chapter serving as a commentary on the statement. Throughout this quarter’s study of the Pentateuch, we have seen God’s call sealed with a promise. Inherent in the covenant is the people’s responsibility to obey the Lord’s commands.

The Promises/Deuteronomy 6:1-3

Just prior to our text, Moses restated the Ten Commandments (5:7-21). He followed this with a summary describing some of their experiences at Mount Sinai when the law was given (5:22-33). Then Moses referred to all of the commands, decrees, and laws the Lord your God directed me to teach you (v. 1).

God expected his people to obey all of these commands when they crossed the Jordan and entered the promised land. God’s future blessings on the nation were conditioned on their obedience. For this reason, you, your children and their children . . . may fear the Lord your God as long as you live (v. 2). With the commands come promises—that you may enjoy long life (and) that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly (v. 3). The description of their new homeland—a land flowing with milk and honey—is frequently used in the Old Testament.

The Commands/Deuteronomy 6:4-9

This verse begins what Jews know as the shema. The word means “hear” in Hebrew and is the first word in verse 4: Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Verses 4 and 5 are recited by pious Jews twice daily. These words are basic to the doctrine of monotheism and acknowledge the self-consistency of the Lord. Although the Israelites would be entering a pagan land where all sorts of “gods” were worshiped, they must never forget that they serve the one true and living God.

God’s love for the people and their love for him are at the heart of the covenant. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and all your strength (v. 5). Jesus cited this reference, calling it “the first and greatest commandment” in the Law (Matthew 22:38).

Moses next specifies the ways in which the people are to respond to God’s commands. First have them upon your heart, then impress them on your children (vv. 6, 7).When and where do you do this? When you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up (v. 7). That’s pretty inclusive!

In addition they were told to tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads (v. 8). Many Jews interpret this verse literally. The Pharisees did in Jesus’ day (see Matthew 23:5). God’s truth was also to be placed on the doorframes of their homes (Deuteronomy 6:9). Many Orthodox Jews today also have a mezuzah by the entrance door of their home or apartment. Selected Scriptures are placed in this small box.

The Significance/Deuteronomy 6:20-24

Verses 10-19 (not in our printed text) present helpful reminders to the people of Israel. The instructions are very specific: “Do not forget the Lord, who brought you out of Egypt . . . Do not follow other gods . . . Do not test the Lord your God as you did at Massah . . . Do what is right and good in the Lord’s sight” (vv. 12-18).

Moses then gives direct guidance on how to teach your children the significance of what the Lord has done. When your son asks you, ‘What is the meaning of the stipulations, decrees and laws the Lord our God has commanded you?’ tell him: ‘We were slaves of Pharoah in Egypt, but the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand’”(vv. 20, 21). Recounting God’s gracious deliverance from Egypt provides motivation and meaning to future generations.

Genuine faith is rooted in historical evidence—for both the Jew and the Christian. If a child asks why he should follow the Lord’s commands, the parent could simply reply, “Because God said so.” But the Lord wants us to have a reason for our faith, a motive for our action, and to understand the significance of our relationship with him. This chapter has been summarized with three requirements for the believer: love the Lord, fear the Lord, teach the grace of the Lord. |L

Sam E. Stone is the former editor of Christian Standard. He continues his writing and speaking ministry from his home in Cincinnati, Ohio.