Deuteronomy 6:4-5 
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 

Application: 

These verses are known in Judaism as the Shema, the Hebrew word that begins at 6:4; it means “listen, hear.” Moses was calling the people to sit up and take notes on what he was about to say because of how important it was. In fact, Jesus would later call it “the greatest and most important command” (Matt 22:37–39). 

Moses said, Listen, Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength (6:4–5). God wants us to love him, not just believe in him. It was vital that the people get this right because if the Israelites were going to survive and thrive in the promised land, the family unit would have to become the primary place where faith in and love for the Lord were modeled and passed on. Parents are to teach God’s commandments and statutes regularly to their children in the everyday events of life (6:7–9).

It’s good for families to read devotionals together and to have formal teaching times. But these practices need to be combined with the powerful witness of a godly lifestyle that integrates God’s Word into each day’s routine. Notice how often Israel was told to speak of the things of God: when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up (6:7). That purposeful approach to spiritual training, that effort to welcome the Lord into all aspects of life, is how parents can pass on a biblical worldview to their children so that God is their point of reference as they navigate choices.

Such was God’s agenda for his kingdom people in Moses’s day, and it remains true today. This responsibility doesn’t rest with the government, schools, or even the church. The family bears primary responsibility for passing the torch of faith, and the church supports parents in this work. The home’s primary role is to foster gospel evangelization and to disciple children.

Reference: Tony Evans, The Tony Evans Bible Commentary (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2019), 216-217.

To God, be the glory!

Our Lord Jesus Christ created everything! By Him, For Him!

“The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26

Disclaimer

When God inspires me, I write articles glorifying God. I invite you to view this writing as a Bible study. Like the Bereans in Acts 17:11, I encourage you to search the Scriptures to determine whether what I have written is true. Always consult with your church ministers regarding biblical matters. I am not a professional writer, so there may be some grammatical or spelling errors present. I strive to write as clearly and efficiently as possible. Your brother in Christ, Ricardo.

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