I am enjoying these Lessons from the Book of Deuteronomy.
Early this morning as I was reading this 6th chapter, several references (verses) literally “jumped” off the pages! They were “begging” … “Write about me, please!”
“One at a time,” I thought.
But I must begin with verses 6 and 7, all time classics indeed!
“And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart. And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” Deuteronomy 6:6-7
I suspect the term “these words” means the whole Book of Deuteronomy, that at least. Maybe even the entire Pentateuch, Genesis through Deuteronomy, the “Books of Moses.” What would it hurt if it meant the entire Old Testament? Or all the Bible?
Put God’s Commands … “in thine heart!”
How?
By “memory” perhaps, or maybe he just meant to “love” them sincerely, in one’s heart that way. Holding the Text “dear to one’s heart,” something like that.
But notice that if one’s “heart” truly holds something “precious” … that heart will automatically “teach” those truths to others!
To one’s children (or grandchildren), especially!
The verb “teach” used here is “shanan” and is found only 9 times in the Bible! It technically is translated “shalt teach them diligently.” It means “to sharpen!” Honestly, it does. “To whet, to prick!”
The idea is “teaching incisively, helping “imprint” the words of God into those impressionable little minds and hearts and souls!
An adjunct to “teaching” is “talking!” As here: “Thou shalt teach them diligently … and shalt talk of them …” (as well). Both actions are critical, the second strengthening the first.
The word “talk” is “dabar,” to speak with special reference on the CONTENT of the conversation! The verb here is framed in the PIEL stem, Hebrew grammar. That means “teach” with all the heart and emotion and earnestness you have!
Oops, I just notice that the foregoing verb “to teach,” is also a PIEL! “Energetic impartation of knowledge,” of God’s Word!
But then the Lord suggests 4 times when we ought to be teaching such Truth to the children.
“When thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” Wow!
Early in the morning.
Late at night, bedtime.
Sitting around the house, presumably including mealtimes.
When traveling, with the family in tow!
May I summarize?
“ALL THE TIME,” practically!
Are God’s Words THAT important?
We really must let Jesus answer this one: “The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” John 6:63
Life!
OK Parents, Grandparents … let’s get busy!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
And if the children are all grown and gone from home … it still would not be a bad idea to study the Word of God these same 4 times of the day, of the night! Like David (or some Psalmist) in Psalm 119:164. “SEVEN TIMES a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.”
Thrilling!