Deuteronomy Chapter 6
For a nation that had wandered 40 years in the wilderness, “a land flowing with milk and honey” sounds like a paradise. In fact, the people of Israel could have entered the land much earlier, but because of their disobedience and unbelief in God’s promises, God delays their entry into the Promised Land by 40 years.
It is impossible for the Israelites to enjoy long life and to prosper in the Promised Land if they do not follow God’s commandments. Therefore, now Moses was determined to help the people avoiding the same mistake.
He clearly explained the conditions for entering the land. They are to love God with all their heart, with all their soul and with all their strength. To think constantly about His commandments and to teach them to their children, and to live each day according to the Word of God (Deuteronomy 6:4-9), so that the blessings given to one generation would not become a curse to the next generation.
This sets a pattern that helps us relate the Word of God to our daily lives and it also teaches us that it is so important to teach the Word of God to our children.
Moses also warned the people not to forget God when they entered the Promised Land and became prosperous. Because it is often most difficult to follow God and to obey His commandments when life is easy.
It tends to make us self-sufficient and eager to acquire more of the world, rather than focusing and giving our thankfulness and service to God. We will also become less sensitive to our need for God, and then subsequently we can fall easily into temptation and fall away from God.
Lord Jesus said in Luke 11:28 “blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”
So let us keep all God’s commandments and to fear Him and to teach our children to do likewise, so that God can continue to bless us and our children.
