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AdamsEve · Chief Honcho Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Posts: 1342

Obeying God’s Commands

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Deuteronomy 6:1-3
“ This is the legislation, the decrees and laws, ”

As the intermediary between the Lord and the people ( 5:27-30 ), Moses began to teach them what the Lord wanted them to do in the land across the Jordan.

The reason for this instruction is that the people and their descendants should “ fear ” ( v 2 ) the Lord their God throughout their lifetime.

That being afraid is part of the meaning can be seen in many places, the experience of the Israelites at Horeb ( Sinai ) with its loud thunder, lightning flashes, earthquake, and darkness being one illustration.

The derived awareness of standing in awe of God and then of holding him in utmost reverence and respect is essential to the understanding of “ fearing God ” especially in Deuteronomy.

The reason for Moses’ teaching is elaborated by explaining why the people should hear and obey: to insure the nation’s well-being and to increase in number and wealth. These would follow their adherence to the Lord, as he, the Lord, the God of their fathers, had promised ( Exod 13:5 ).

The description of the country as “ a land flowing with milk and honey ” ( v 3 ) occurs eighteen times in the OT from Exod 3:8 to Eze 20:15

The figure describes a land of plenty, a land of fertility.

The intent of the covenant builds step on step ( v 2 ): so that the people and their descendants would reverence the Lord by keeping the stipulations, so that they may enjoy long life, so that it may go well with them, and so that they may increase in number ( v 3 ).

Deuteronomy 6:4-5
Moses as God’s spokesman.

Various interpretations have been given to the “ shema “ ( “Hear ” v 4, the term applies to the whole verse) as indicated in the NIV margin.

It teach a uniqueness in the Lord as over against various Baals and gods of other peoples. The Israelites ( at least some of them ) often believed in the reality of other deities.

Does this declaration of the nature of the Lord admits of the real existence of other gods. The consistent teaching of Moses and the prophets, as well as the psalmists and the wise men, admits of the Lord only as true deity.

The primary assertion of v 4 is that there is only one true God, it is also asserted that this true God is Israel’s God. The Israelites should acknowledge no other god. The Lord, Israel’s God, cannot be known or acknowledged in many forms like the Canaanite Baals could.

This is a case for selective hearing. ( Hear, O Israel ) ( listen - then do )

Jesus taught that Deut 6:4-5 constituted the first, the greatest, and the most important commandment, and that by obeying it one would live ( Matt 22:37-38; Mark 12:29-30; Luke 10:27 ).

God is one even as He manifests Himself in three persons.

They were to love him totally ( v 5 ). To love “ with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength ”. It is a group of terms to indicate the totality of a person’s commitment of self in the intentions of trust and obedience toward God.

The words behind heart, soul, and strength basically relate to what a person is or how a person directs himself toward another person, the words taken together mean to say that the people are to love God with their whole selves.

The covenant-treaty itself, based on the love of God for his people, required their love for the Lord in return.

The meaning of love in Deuteronomy, ties love tightly together with the sense of obedience and loyalty.

Deuteronomy 6:6-9
The people were not to concern themselves only with their own attitudes toward the Lord. They were to concern themselves with impressing these attitudes on their children also. The Israelites were to talk about God’s commands always, whether at home or on the road.

The symbols tied on the hands and forehead ( phylacteries ) and others placed on door posts and gates drew attention to the injunctions in vv 5-7 immediately preceding.

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Deuteronomy 6:20-24
The answer to a son’s question, “ What is the meaning of the stipulations? ” is a historical resume of the Exodus ( vv 21-22 ), the making of the covenant-treaty, and the giving of the legislation for the nation, together with the Lord’s commands to obey and reverence him ( vv 23-24 ).

The Lord who gave them the covenant-treaty with its stipulations was active on their behalf in freeing them from Egypt and from the control of Pharaoh by his mighty hand, by miracles that taught lessons, and by wonderful acts that were great and terrible “ plagues “.

God had brought them out of Egypt in order to bring them into Canaan, the country that he had promised to their forefathers. Obedience was necessary for their prosperity and continuance as a people. Obedience to all the Lord’s legislation would constitute their righteousness ( v 25; 24:13 ).

These items must be impressed on each succeeding generation.

Recap

The Israelites are about to cross the Jordan, about 1406 BC.

God will bless those who both fear Him and keep their part of the covenant.

Teach the commandments to your children, through the generations. We today are required the teach the Scriptures to our children also.

Practicing the Scriptures without understanding, we can get into legalism.

Today we live under a new covenant but we still need to obey.

What are somethings that are vying for our youth today to keep them from Sunday School and Church?

What can we do to encourage the youth to take interest in their spiritual future?

Today's lesson speaks of signs and wonders from the Lord, what do you see today in signs and wonders from the Lord?

James 1:22 “ Do not merely listen to the word---Do what it says.

John 14:15 Jesus said “ If you love me, you will obey what I command. “

Prayer:
Dear Father in Heaven I pray we all can hear and then teach the younger ones Your Word and in knowing Your word we can knew You and by knowing You I pray we all love You and will obey You. Thank You Lord

In the name of Jesus. Amen

TGIF

_________________
Acts 4:12
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name
under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”