World English Bible
- Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the ordinances, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you, that you might do them in the land that you go over to possess;
- that you might fear the LORD your God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you—you, your son, and your son’s son, all the days of your life; and that your days may be prolonged.
- Hear therefore, Israel, and observe to do it, that it may be well with you, and that you may increase mightily, as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has promised to you, in a land flowing with milk and honey.
- Hear, Israel: The LORD is 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 might.
- These words, which I command you today, shall be on your heart;
- and 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 up.
- You shall bind them for a sign on your hand, and they shall be for frontlets between your eyes.
- You shall write them on the door posts of your house and on your gates.
- It shall be, when the LORD your God brings you into the land which he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give you, great and goodly cities which you didn’t build,
- and houses full of all good things which you didn’t fill, and cisterns dug out which you didn’t dig, vineyards and olive trees which you didn’t plant, and you shall eat and be full;
- then beware lest you forget the LORD, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
- You shall fear the LORD your God; and you shall serve him, and shall swear by his name.
- You shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the peoples who are around you,
- for the LORD your God among you is a jealous God, lest the anger of the LORD your God be kindled against you, and he destroy you from off the face of the earth.
- You shall not tempt the LORD your God, as you tempted him in Massah.
- You shall diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he has commanded you.
- You shall do that which is right and good in the LORD’s sight, that it may be well with you and that you may go in and possess the good land which the LORD swore to your fathers,
- to thrust out all your enemies from before you, as the LORD has spoken.
- When your son asks you in time to come, saying, “What do the testimonies, the statutes, and the ordinances, which the LORD our God has commanded you mean?”
- then you shall tell your son, “We were Pharaoh’s slaves in Egypt. The LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand;
- and the LORD showed great and awesome signs and wonders on Egypt, on Pharaoh, and on all his house, before our eyes;
- and he brought us out from there, that he might bring us in, to give us the land which he swore to our fathers.
- The LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as we are today.
- It shall be righteousness to us, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as he has commanded us.”
We now arrive at Deuteronomy 6, a chapter foundational to both Jewish and Christian understanding of spiritual devotion. At the heart of this chapter lies one of the most central affirmations in Scripture, known in Judaism as the “Shema” (“Hear”). It declares:
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”
– Deuteronomy 6:4–5, New International Version
This verse is not merely doctrinal but intensely relational. In Hebrew culture, heart (“lev”) included one’s emotions, thinking, and intent. Soul (“nephesh”) described one’s entire being or life force. Strength (“me’od”) suggests fervent effort and abundant intensity. Together, these terms direct us to an all-encompassing commitment of life motivated by love.
In Mark 12:29–31, Jesus affirmed the Shema as the most important commandment in the Law, emphasizing that love of God must permeate every aspect of our lives. Saint Augustine echoed this when he famously wrote, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they find rest in you.”
In verses 6–9, Moses instructs parents how to pass on their faith:
“Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road…Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”
– Deuteronomy 6:7–9, New International Version
The language reflects ritual practices of ancient Israel. God’s words were to be visible reminders (“mezuzot”) affixed to homes (still observed by Jews today as mezuzah) and even bound on hands and foreheads (later observed through phylacteries or tefillin). Through these daily rituals, faith became woven into everyday life.
How might we today, in cultures far removed from ancient ways, ensure our faith is vibrant, visible, and passed down? It begins with intentional daily conversation about spiritual truths, a deliberate lifestyle pointing our children, grandchildren, and community consistently toward the Lord.
Moses warned Israel not to become comfortable and forgetful once they had entered the Promised Land:
“When the LORD your God brings you into the land … and you eat and are satisfied, be careful that you do not forget the LORD…”
– Deuteronomy 6:10–12, New International Version
It’s a sobering truth that comfort can often cloud our spiritual clarity. Historian Arnold Toynbee famously said, “Civilizations die from suicide, not by murder.” This insight parallels Moses’ caution: spiritual amnesia in good times could undo what persecution never could.
In our prosperous Western culture today, we are not immune to this danger. Moses reminds us that grateful remembrance and active obedience keep our hearts rightly oriented.
Idolatry (verses 13–15) may seem remote to Western readers, yet it is closer than we think. While our idols are rarely golden statues, they often appear as careers, comfort, popularity, politics, or even family when elevated above God. The Hebrew word for “jealous” here is “qanna,” signifying a zeal for exclusive covenant devotion, less about petty jealousy and more about preserving faithfulness in relationship.
Cross-reference: Matthew 6:24 (“No one can serve two masters…”), highlighting that divided loyalty inevitably leads to spiritual conflict.
The archaeological discoveries, particularly the numerous mezuzot found in excavations dating back to Biblical Israelite periods, affirm the historical reality of these commands. The ancient Jews took Moses’ instructions literally, embedding the Word of God visibly into daily life. Such tangible historical remnants remind us of the active role of the Word of God throughout history.
As you meditate on this chapter today, ask yourself:
Consider reflecting or singing the ancient hymn “Be Thou My Vision.” Its lyrics beautifully echo this undivided, wholehearted devotion to God alone—placing Him first in heart, mind, and soul.
Heavenly Father,
May we hear afresh today your call to undivided love. Awaken within us
deep affection and whole-hearted devotion that flow beyond mere
obligation. Guard our hearts from complacency and false idols, anchoring
us firmly in gratitude for who you are and what you’ve done. Fill us
with passion to pass these timeless truths clearly to coming
generations. Let our lives echo daily your great love. Amen.
Narrated version of this devotional on Deuteronomy Chapter 6