Deuteronomy 6 Study Notes
General
What does Deuteronomy 6:10-11 stress about the cities, houses, wells, and vineyards Israel would have in Canaan?
Answer: Israel would receive them without building or planting them
Moses lists great cities Israel did not build, houses full of good things they did not fill, wells they never dug, and vineyards and olive trees they never planted (6:10-11). The land would come to them as a gift, fulfilling God's oath to Israel's forefathers. Joshua later repeats this in very similar words when he reminds Israel of all God had done (Joshua 24:13). Moses also makes clear that the land would not be given because of Israel's own righteousness, for they were a stubborn people (9:4-6).
- Deuteronomy 6:10-11 (BSB)“And when the LORD your God brings you into the land He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, that He would give you—a land with great and splendid cities that you did not build, with houses full of every good thing with which you did not fill them, with wells that you did not dig, and with vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant—and when you eat and are satisfied,”Moses describes the ready-made cities, houses, wells, and vineyards Israel would receive.
- Joshua 24:13 (BSB)“So I gave you a land on which you did not toil and cities that you did not build, and now you live in them and eat from vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant.’”Joshua recalls that God gave Israel cities they did not build and vineyards they did not plant.
- Deuteronomy 9:4-6 (BSB)“When the LORD your God has driven them out before you, do not say in your heart, “Because of my righteousness the LORD has brought me in to possess this land.” Rather, the LORD is driving out these nations before you because of their wickedness. It is not because of your righteousness or uprightness of heart that you are going in to possess their land, but it is because of their wickedness that the LORD your God is driving out these nations before you, to keep the promise He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Understand, then, that it is not because of your righteousness that the LORD your God is giving you this good land to possess, for you are a stiff-necked people.”Moses states the land is not given because of Israel's righteousness.
Theological
What is emphasized in Deuteronomy 6:10-11 regarding the cities, houses, wells, and vineyards of Canaan?
Answer: Israel would receive them without building or planting them
The catalogue of cities not built, houses not filled, wells not dug, and vineyards and olive trees not planted (6:10-11) presents the land as sheer gift, given in fulfillment of the oath to the patriarchs. Joshua 24:13 rehearses the same gift at the covenant renewal at Shechem, and Deuteronomy 9:4-6 denies that the inheritance rests on Israel's righteousness: it is grace to a stubborn people.
- Deuteronomy 6:10-11 (BSB)“And when the LORD your God brings you into the land He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, that He would give you—a land with great and splendid cities that you did not build, with houses full of every good thing with which you did not fill them, with wells that you did not dig, and with vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant—and when you eat and are satisfied,”Moses describes the ready-made cities, houses, wells, and vineyards Israel would receive.
- Joshua 24:13 (BSB)“So I gave you a land on which you did not toil and cities that you did not build, and now you live in them and eat from vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant.’”Joshua recalls that God gave Israel cities they did not build and vineyards they did not plant.
- Deuteronomy 9:4-6 (BSB)“When the LORD your God has driven them out before you, do not say in your heart, “Because of my righteousness the LORD has brought me in to possess this land.” Rather, the LORD is driving out these nations before you because of their wickedness. It is not because of your righteousness or uprightness of heart that you are going in to possess their land, but it is because of their wickedness that the LORD your God is driving out these nations before you, to keep the promise He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Understand, then, that it is not because of your righteousness that the LORD your God is giving you this good land to possess, for you are a stiff-necked people.”Moses states the land is not given because of Israel's righteousness.
General
What danger does Moses warn about once Israel has eaten and is full in the land (Deuteronomy 6:11-12)?
Answer: Forgetting the LORD who freed them from slavery
Once Israel had eaten its fill, they needed to guard against forgetting the LORD who had freed them from slavery in Egypt (6:11-12). Plenty can make people feel they no longer need God. Moses gives the same warning in more detail later: when houses, herds, and silver multiply, the heart can become proud and forget the LORD (8:12-14). Hosea says this is exactly what happened: once they were full, pride set in and they forgot God (Hosea 13:6). The wise man in Proverbs asks to be neither poor nor rich, fearing that too much might lead him to deny the LORD (Proverbs 30:8-9).
- Deuteronomy 6:11-12 (BSB)“with houses full of every good thing with which you did not fill them, with wells that you did not dig, and with vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant—and when you eat and are satisfied, be careful not to forget the LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.”When Israel eats and is satisfied, it must not forget the LORD who freed it from slavery.
- Deuteronomy 8:12-14 (BSB)“Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses in which to dwell, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all that you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud, and you will forget the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.”Moses warns again that abundance can make the heart proud and forget the LORD.
- Hosea 13:6 (BSB)“When they had pasture, they became satisfied; when they were satisfied, their hearts became proud, and as a result they forgot Me.”Hosea records that Israel did grow proud and forget God once satisfied.
- Proverbs 30:8-9 (BSB)“Keep falsehood and deceitful words far from me. Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the bread that is my portion. Otherwise, I may have too much and deny You, saying, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or I may become poor and steal, profaning the name of my God.”The proverb asks not to be rich lest fullness lead to denying the LORD.
Theological
What peril does Deuteronomy 6:12 attach to prosperity in the land?
Answer: Forgetting the LORD who freed them from slavery
Prosperity carries the peril of forgetting the Redeemer who brought Israel out of bondage (6:11-12). Moses expands the warning in 8:12-14, where abundance breeds a proud heart that forgets the LORD. Hosea 13:6 records that the warning went unheeded, and Proverbs 30:8-9 prays to be neither poor nor rich lest fullness lead to denying the LORD.
- Deuteronomy 6:11-12 (BSB)“with houses full of every good thing with which you did not fill them, with wells that you did not dig, and with vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant—and when you eat and are satisfied, be careful not to forget the LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.”When Israel eats and is satisfied, it must not forget the LORD who freed it from slavery.
- Deuteronomy 8:12-14 (BSB)“Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses in which to dwell, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all that you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud, and you will forget the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.”Moses warns again that abundance can make the heart proud and forget the LORD.
- Hosea 13:6 (BSB)“When they had pasture, they became satisfied; when they were satisfied, their hearts became proud, and as a result they forgot Me.”Hosea records that Israel did grow proud and forget God once satisfied.
- Proverbs 30:8-9 (BSB)“Keep falsehood and deceitful words far from me. Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the bread that is my portion. Otherwise, I may have too much and deny You, saying, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or I may become poor and steal, profaning the name of my God.”The proverb asks not to be rich lest fullness lead to denying the LORD.
General
Deuteronomy 6:16 warns Israel not to test the LORD as they did at Massah. What had happened there?
Answer: They challenged the LORD, doubting He was with them
At Massah, when there was no water, the people quarreled with Moses and tested the LORD by asking whether He was among them or not (Exodus 17:7); the name Massah means testing. Deuteronomy 6:16 warns never to test God that way again, demanding proof instead of trusting Him. When the devil set Jesus on the high point of the temple and urged Him to throw Himself down, Jesus quoted this verse (Matthew 4:7). A psalm recalls Massah as a warning against hard hearts (Psalm 95:8-9), and Paul warns believers not to put Christ to the test the way some Israelites did in the wilderness (1 Corinthians 10:9).
- Deuteronomy 6:16 (BSB)“Do not test the LORD your God as you tested Him at Massah.”Israel is warned not to test the LORD as it did at Massah.
- Exodus 17:7 (BSB)“He named the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled, and because they tested the LORD, saying, “Is the LORD among us or not?””Explains that Massah was named for Israel testing the LORD by asking if He was among them.
- Matthew 4:7 (BSB)“Jesus replied, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’””Jesus quotes this command when tempted to throw Himself down from the temple.
- Psalm 95:8-9 (BSB)“do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, in the day at Massah in the wilderness, where your fathers tested and tried Me, though they had seen My work.”The psalm recalls Massah as a warning against hardening the heart.
- 1 Corinthians 10:9 (BSB)“We should not test Christ, as some of them did, and were killed by snakes.”Paul warns believers not to test Christ as some Israelites did in the wilderness.
Theological
What incident at Massah does Deuteronomy 6:16 recall?
Answer: They challenged the LORD, doubting He was with them
Massah (testing) recalls the episode in Exodus 17 where Israel, lacking water, quarreled and put the LORD to the test by questioning whether He was among them (Exodus 17:7). Deuteronomy 6:16 forbids repeating that demand for proof in place of trust. Jesus quotes the verse when the devil urges Him to cast Himself from the pinnacle of the temple (Matthew 4:7), refusing to force God's hand. Psalm 95:8-9 holds up Massah as a warning, and Paul applies the wilderness testing to the church (1 Corinthians 10:9).
- Deuteronomy 6:16 (BSB)“Do not test the LORD your God as you tested Him at Massah.”Israel is warned not to test the LORD as it did at Massah.
- Exodus 17:7 (BSB)“He named the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled, and because they tested the LORD, saying, “Is the LORD among us or not?””Explains that Massah was named for Israel testing the LORD by asking if He was among them.
- Matthew 4:7 (BSB)“Jesus replied, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’””Jesus quotes this command when tempted to throw Himself down from the temple.
- Psalm 95:8-9 (BSB)“do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, in the day at Massah in the wilderness, where your fathers tested and tried Me, though they had seen My work.”The psalm recalls Massah as a warning against hardening the heart.
- 1 Corinthians 10:9 (BSB)“We should not test Christ, as some of them did, and were killed by snakes.”Paul warns believers not to test Christ as some Israelites did in the wilderness.
General
According to Deuteronomy 6:1-2, whom did Moses want to see fearing the LORD through keeping these commands?
Answer: The people along with their children and grandchildren
Moses says the commands were given so that Israel, their children, and their grandchildren would fear the LORD all their lives by keeping His statutes, and so that their days would be long (6:1-2). Fearing the LORD here means to revere Him with awe and trust, shown in obedience. The goal was never one generation only. Moses had already urged the people to teach what they saw at Horeb to their children and grandchildren (4:9), and the LORD had gathered them to hear His words so they would learn to fear Him and teach their children (4:10). A psalm describes the same chain of teaching passed from fathers to children yet unborn (Psalm 78:5-7).
- Deuteronomy 6:1-2 (BSB)“These are the commandments and statutes and ordinances that the LORD your God has instructed me to teach you to follow in the land that you are about to enter and possess, so that you and your children and grandchildren may fear the LORD your God all the days of your lives by keeping all His statutes and commandments that I give you, and so that your days may be prolonged.”Moses says the commands are meant to lead Israel, their children, and grandchildren to fear the LORD.
- Deuteronomy 4:9 (BSB)“Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves, so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen, and so that they do not slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and grandchildren.”Moses had already told them to teach what they saw to their children and grandchildren.
- Deuteronomy 4:10 (BSB)“The day you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb, the LORD said to me, “Gather the people before Me to hear My words, so that they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may teach them to their children.””God gathered the people at Horeb so they would learn to fear Him and teach their children.
- Psalm 78:5-7 (BSB)“For He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers to teach to their children, that the coming generation would know them—even children yet to be born—to arise and tell their own children that they should put their confidence in God, not forgetting His works, but keeping His commandments.”The psalm describes the law being passed from fathers to generations yet unborn so they would trust God.
Theological
Whom does Deuteronomy 6:2 name as the intended beneficiaries of the commands Moses teaches?
Answer: The people along with their children and grandchildren
The commands are given so that Israel, its children, and its grandchildren will revere the LORD all their days by keeping His statutes, with the promise of prolonged days (6:1-2). The fear of the LORD is reverent covenant loyalty expressed in obedience, and it is meant to be transmitted across generations. Moses has already charged the people to pass on the Horeb experience to children and grandchildren (4:9), which was the stated purpose of the assembly itself (4:10), and Psalm 78:5-7 describes the same generational transmission of the law.
- Deuteronomy 6:1-2 (BSB)“These are the commandments and statutes and ordinances that the LORD your God has instructed me to teach you to follow in the land that you are about to enter and possess, so that you and your children and grandchildren may fear the LORD your God all the days of your lives by keeping all His statutes and commandments that I give you, and so that your days may be prolonged.”Moses says the commands are meant to lead Israel, their children, and grandchildren to fear the LORD.
- Deuteronomy 4:9 (BSB)“Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves, so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen, and so that they do not slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and grandchildren.”Moses had already told them to teach what they saw to their children and grandchildren.
- Deuteronomy 4:10 (BSB)“The day you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb, the LORD said to me, “Gather the people before Me to hear My words, so that they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may teach them to their children.””God gathered the people at Horeb so they would learn to fear Him and teach their children.
- Psalm 78:5-7 (BSB)“For He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers to teach to their children, that the coming generation would know them—even children yet to be born—to arise and tell their own children that they should put their confidence in God, not forgetting His works, but keeping His commandments.”The psalm describes the law being passed from fathers to generations yet unborn so they would trust God.
General
What reason does Deuteronomy 6:14-15 give for not following the deities of the surrounding nations?
Answer: The LORD among them is jealous and His anger would burn
Israel must not follow the deities of neighboring nations, because the LORD who lives among them is jealous; if they turned away, His anger would burn and He would wipe them off the earth (6:14-15). His jealousy is His rightful claim to their whole loyalty, like a faithful husband's claim on his wife. The LORD had already told Moses that His name is Jealous (Exodus 34:14). Joshua later called Israel to choose whom they would serve and to put away other gods (Joshua 24:14-15), and Jesus taught that a person cannot be devoted to two masters (Matthew 6:24).
- Deuteronomy 6:14-15 (BSB)“Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you. For the LORD your God, who is among you, is a jealous God. Otherwise the anger of the LORD your God will be kindled against you, and He will wipe you off the face of the earth.”Israel must not follow other gods, because the LORD among them is a jealous God.
- Exodus 34:14 (BSB)“For you must not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.”The LORD's name is Jealous, grounding His demand for exclusive worship.
- Joshua 24:14-15 (BSB)“Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth; cast aside the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!””Joshua calls Israel to put away other gods and serve the LORD alone.
- Matthew 6:24 (BSB)“No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”Jesus teaches that divided loyalty is impossible: no one can serve two masters.
Theological
On what ground does Deuteronomy 6:14-15 forbid following the deities of the neighboring nations?
Answer: The LORD among them is jealous and His anger would burn
The prohibition against following the deities of the surrounding nations rests on the LORD's jealousy and presence: He is among His people as a jealous God whose anger would burn against apostasy (6:14-15). Divine jealousy is His exclusive covenant claim, His very name according to Exodus 34:14. Joshua presses the same exclusive allegiance at Shechem (Joshua 24:14-15), and Jesus states the principle that devotion cannot be divided between two masters (Matthew 6:24).
- Deuteronomy 6:14-15 (BSB)“Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you. For the LORD your God, who is among you, is a jealous God. Otherwise the anger of the LORD your God will be kindled against you, and He will wipe you off the face of the earth.”Israel must not follow other gods, because the LORD among them is a jealous God.
- Exodus 34:14 (BSB)“For you must not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.”The LORD's name is Jealous, grounding His demand for exclusive worship.
- Joshua 24:14-15 (BSB)“Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth; cast aside the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!””Joshua calls Israel to put away other gods and serve the LORD alone.
- Matthew 6:24 (BSB)“No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”Jesus teaches that divided loyalty is impossible: no one can serve two masters.
General
When the devil offered Jesus every kingdom on earth and its splendor, which command from Deuteronomy 6 did Jesus quote in reply (Matthew 4:8-10)?
Answer: To give worship and service to God alone
Deuteronomy 6:13 commands Israel to revere the LORD, serve Him alone, and swear oaths by His name. When the devil showed Jesus every kingdom on earth and offered it all if Jesus would bow down to him (Matthew 4:8-9), Jesus answered from this verse (Matthew 4:10; Luke 4:8). In the Gospels' wording Jesus speaks of worshiping God where Deuteronomy speaks of fearing Him, but the point is the same: God alone deserves our worship and service. Israel had been tested in the wilderness for forty years (8:2) and often failed; Jesus, tested in the wilderness for forty days (Matthew 4:1-2), stayed faithful where Israel had not.
- Deuteronomy 6:13 (BSB)“Fear the LORD your God, serve Him only, and take your oaths in His name.”Israel is to fear the LORD, serve Him only, and take oaths in His name.
- Matthew 4:8-10 (BSB)“Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. “All this I will give You,” he said, “if You will fall down and worship me.” “Away from Me, Satan!” Jesus told him. “For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’””Jesus answers the devil's offer of the kingdoms by quoting this command to worship and serve God only.
- Luke 4:8 (BSB)“But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’””Luke records the same reply from Deuteronomy 6:13.
- Matthew 4:1-2 (BSB)“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry.”Jesus is tested forty days in the wilderness, echoing Israel's forty years.
- Deuteronomy 8:2 (BSB)“Remember that these forty years the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness, so that He might humble you and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commandments.”Israel's forty years in the wilderness were a time of testing what was in their hearts.
Theological
Which instruction of Deuteronomy 6 did Jesus cite in answer to the devil's offer of every earthly kingdom (Matthew 4:8-10)?
Answer: To give worship and service to God alone
Deuteronomy 6:13 requires Israel to revere the LORD, serve Him alone, and swear by His name. Offered every earthly kingdom in exchange for worship (Matthew 4:8-9), Jesus answers with this verse, which the Gospels render with worship in place of fear (Matthew 4:10; Luke 4:8); the substance, exclusive allegiance to God, is identical. Israel, God's son, was tested forty years in the wilderness (8:2) and failed; Jesus, the true Son, was tested forty days in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-2) and remained faithful, fulfilling the obedience Israel did not render.
- Deuteronomy 6:13 (BSB)“Fear the LORD your God, serve Him only, and take your oaths in His name.”Israel is to fear the LORD, serve Him only, and take oaths in His name.
- Matthew 4:8-10 (BSB)“Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. “All this I will give You,” he said, “if You will fall down and worship me.” “Away from Me, Satan!” Jesus told him. “For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’””Jesus answers the devil's offer of the kingdoms by quoting this command to worship and serve God only.
- Luke 4:8 (BSB)“But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’””Luke records the same reply from Deuteronomy 6:13.
- Matthew 4:1-2 (BSB)“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry.”Jesus is tested forty days in the wilderness, echoing Israel's forty years.
- Deuteronomy 8:2 (BSB)“Remember that these forty years the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness, so that He might humble you and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commandments.”Israel's forty years in the wilderness were a time of testing what was in their hearts.
General
According to Deuteronomy 6:7, when were parents to talk with their children about God's words?
Answer: All through daily life, from rising to going to bed
God's words were first to be on the parents' own hearts (6:6). Then parents were to teach them carefully to their children and talk about them at home, while traveling, at bedtime, and on waking (6:7). The whole of ordinary life became the classroom, not just special religious occasions. A psalm describes this same passing of God's law from parents to children (Psalm 78:5-7). Paul tells fathers to bring up their children under the Lord's training and teaching (Ephesians 6:4), and he reminds Timothy that he had known the Scriptures from infancy (2 Timothy 3:15).
- Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (BSB)“These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”God's words are to be on the parents' hearts and taught to children throughout daily life.
- Psalm 78:5-7 (BSB)“For He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers to teach to their children, that the coming generation would know them—even children yet to be born—to arise and tell their own children that they should put their confidence in God, not forgetting His works, but keeping His commandments.”The psalm describes God commanding fathers to teach His law to their children.
- Ephesians 6:4 (BSB)“Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”Paul charges fathers to raise their children in the Lord's discipline and instruction.
- 2 Timothy 3:15 (BSB)“From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”Timothy's knowledge of Scripture from infancy illustrates this kind of household teaching.
Theological
What setting does Deuteronomy 6:7 prescribe for teaching God's words to children?
Answer: All through daily life, from rising to going to bed
The words are to be on the parents' hearts first (6:6), then taught diligently to children in every circumstance of daily life: sitting at home, walking along the road, lying down, and rising (6:7). Covenant instruction is woven into ordinary household life rather than confined to cultic occasions. Psalm 78:5-7 describes the same household transmission of the law; Paul charges fathers to raise children in the Lord's discipline and instruction (Ephesians 6:4) and recalls Timothy's childhood grounding in Scripture (2 Timothy 3:15).
- Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (BSB)“These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”God's words are to be on the parents' hearts and taught to children throughout daily life.
- Psalm 78:5-7 (BSB)“For He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers to teach to their children, that the coming generation would know them—even children yet to be born—to arise and tell their own children that they should put their confidence in God, not forgetting His works, but keeping His commandments.”The psalm describes God commanding fathers to teach His law to their children.
- Ephesians 6:4 (BSB)“Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”Paul charges fathers to raise their children in the Lord's discipline and instruction.
- 2 Timothy 3:15 (BSB)“From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”Timothy's knowledge of Scripture from infancy illustrates this kind of household teaching.
General
What does Deuteronomy 6:4 confess about Israel's God?
Answer: He is the one true LORD, with no rival beside Him
Deuteronomy 6:4 begins with a summons for Israel to listen and then confesses the LORD, Israel's God, as one. Jews call this confession the Shema, from the Hebrew word for hear. It declares the LORD to be the only true God, not one god among many. Moses had already told Israel that no other God exists besides Him (4:35). Jesus quoted this very verse when asked which command is most important (Mark 12:29-30). Paul, writing about idols, confesses a single God, the Father, and in the same breath names a single Lord, Jesus Christ, the agent of all creation (1 Corinthians 8:4-6).
- Deuteronomy 6:4 (BSB)“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One.”Moses calls Israel to hear and confesses that the LORD their God is one.
- Deuteronomy 4:35 (BSB)“You were shown these things so that you would know that the LORD is God; there is no other besides Him.”Moses states that the LORD is God and there is no other besides Him.
- Mark 12:29-30 (BSB)“Jesus replied, “This is the most important: ‘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 mind and with all your strength.’”Jesus quotes this confession as the beginning of the most important commandment.
- 1 Corinthians 8:4-6 (BSB)“So about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world, and that there is no God but one. For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many so-called gods and lords), yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we exist. And there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we exist.”Paul confesses one God and one Lord, Jesus Christ, while rejecting idols.
Theological
What does the confession of Deuteronomy 6:4 affirm about the LORD?
Answer: He is the one true LORD, with no rival beside Him
The Shema confesses that the LORD, Israel's covenant God, is one (6:4): the sole true God, unique and undivided, with no rival. Deuteronomy has already drawn this monotheistic conclusion from the exodus and Horeb (4:35). Jesus cites the verse as the head of the greatest commandment (Mark 12:29-30), and Paul echoes the Shema against idolatry while confessing a single God, the Father, and a single Lord, Jesus Christ, the agent of all creation (1 Corinthians 8:4-6), placing Christ within the one divine identity the Shema confesses.
- Deuteronomy 6:4 (BSB)“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One.”Moses calls Israel to hear and confesses that the LORD their God is one.
- Deuteronomy 4:35 (BSB)“You were shown these things so that you would know that the LORD is God; there is no other besides Him.”Moses states that the LORD is God and there is no other besides Him.
- Mark 12:29-30 (BSB)“Jesus replied, “This is the most important: ‘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 mind and with all your strength.’”Jesus quotes this confession as the beginning of the most important commandment.
- 1 Corinthians 8:4-6 (BSB)“So about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world, and that there is no God but one. For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many so-called gods and lords), yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we exist. And there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we exist.”Paul confesses one God and one Lord, Jesus Christ, while rejecting idols.
General
When a son asks what God's laws mean (Deuteronomy 6:20), how does the father's answer begin?
Answer: By telling how the LORD freed them from Pharaoh
When a child asks what all the laws mean, the father does not begin with rules. He begins with a story of rescue: we were Pharaoh's slaves in Egypt, and the LORD rescued us by His great power, did great signs, and brought us out in order to lead us into the promised land (6:20-23). Only then does he explain that the LORD commanded these laws for their good, so they would prosper and be kept alive (6:24), and that careful obedience would be their righteousness, meaning the right way of life for a people God had already saved (6:25). Exodus gives the same pattern of answering children with the story of redemption (Exodus 13:14; 12:26-27). The same order runs through the New Testament: God saves by grace, and good works follow (Ephesians 2:8-10).
- Deuteronomy 6:20-25 (BSB)“In the future, when your son asks, “What is the meaning of the decrees and statutes and ordinances that the LORD our God has commanded you?” then you are to tell him, “We were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt, but the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. Before our eyes the LORD inflicted great and devastating signs and wonders on Egypt, on Pharaoh, and on all his household. But He brought us out from there to lead us in and give us the land that He had sworn to our fathers. And the LORD commanded us to observe all these statutes and to fear the LORD our God, that we may always be prosperous and preserved, as we are to this day. And if we are careful to observe every one of these commandments before the LORD our God, as He has commanded us, then that will be our righteousness.””The father answers his son's question with the story of the exodus before speaking of the commands.
- Exodus 13:14 (BSB)“In the future, when your son asks you, ‘What does this mean?’ you are to tell him, ‘With a mighty hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.”Exodus likewise tells fathers to answer their sons with the story of the LORD's mighty rescue.
- Exodus 12:26-27 (BSB)“When your children ask you, ‘What does this service mean to you?’ you are to reply, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the LORD, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt when He struck down the Egyptians and spared our homes.’” Then the people bowed down and worshiped.”The Passover question from children is also answered by recounting God's saving act.
- Ephesians 2:8-10 (BSB)“For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.”Paul shows the same order: saved by grace, then created for good works.
Theological
How does the father's answer to his son's question in Deuteronomy 6:20-25 begin?
Answer: By telling how the LORD freed them from Pharaoh
The catechetical answer to the son's question begins with redemption: slavery under Pharaoh, deliverance by God's power, signs and wonders, and the purpose of bringing them into the sworn land (6:20-23). Only then come the commands, given for Israel's good and preservation (6:24), and the statement that careful obedience will be their righteousness (6:25), describing the covenant faithfulness fitting for a people already redeemed rather than the means of their redemption. Exodus prescribes the same redemptive answer to children's questions (Exodus 13:14; 12:26-27), and the pattern of grace preceding and producing good works carries into the New Testament (Ephesians 2:8-10).
- Deuteronomy 6:20-25 (BSB)“In the future, when your son asks, “What is the meaning of the decrees and statutes and ordinances that the LORD our God has commanded you?” then you are to tell him, “We were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt, but the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. Before our eyes the LORD inflicted great and devastating signs and wonders on Egypt, on Pharaoh, and on all his household. But He brought us out from there to lead us in and give us the land that He had sworn to our fathers. And the LORD commanded us to observe all these statutes and to fear the LORD our God, that we may always be prosperous and preserved, as we are to this day. And if we are careful to observe every one of these commandments before the LORD our God, as He has commanded us, then that will be our righteousness.””The father answers his son's question with the story of the exodus before speaking of the commands.
- Exodus 13:14 (BSB)“In the future, when your son asks you, ‘What does this mean?’ you are to tell him, ‘With a mighty hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.”Exodus likewise tells fathers to answer their sons with the story of the LORD's mighty rescue.
- Exodus 12:26-27 (BSB)“When your children ask you, ‘What does this service mean to you?’ you are to reply, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the LORD, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt when He struck down the Egyptians and spared our homes.’” Then the people bowed down and worshiped.”The Passover question from children is also answered by recounting God's saving act.
- Ephesians 2:8-10 (BSB)“For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.”Paul shows the same order: saved by grace, then created for good works.
General
When Jesus was asked which command matters most, how did He describe the call of Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (Mark 12:29-30)?
Answer: The most important command in all of God's law
Deuteronomy 6:5 calls Israel to love the LORD with all the heart, all the soul, and all the strength, meaning with the whole person: inner life, very self, and every ability. When a scribe asked Jesus which command is most important, He quoted Deuteronomy 6:4-5 and called it the most important (Mark 12:29-30); in Matthew He calls it first and greatest of the commands (Matthew 22:37-38). Jesus' quotation adds the mind alongside heart, soul, and strength. Yet no one loves God like this naturally. Moses later promises that the LORD Himself will circumcise His people's hearts, which means removing their hardness, so that they will love Him wholeheartedly (30:6).
- Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (BSB)“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”Israel is called to love the one LORD with all the heart, soul, and strength.
- Mark 12:29-30 (BSB)“Jesus replied, “This is the most important: ‘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 mind and with all your strength.’”Jesus quotes this passage and calls it the most important commandment.
- Matthew 22:37-38 (BSB)“Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.”In Matthew, Jesus calls this love for God the first and greatest commandment.
- Deuteronomy 30:6 (BSB)“The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, and you will love Him with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live.”God promises to circumcise the heart so His people will love Him wholly, supplying what the command requires.
Theological
How did Jesus classify the command of Deuteronomy 6:4-5 when asked about the chief commandment (Mark 12:29-30)?
Answer: The most important command in all of God's law
Deuteronomy 6:5 demands love for the LORD with all the heart, soul, and strength, the totality of the person. Jesus identifies Deuteronomy 6:4-5 as the most important commandment (Mark 12:29-30), first and greatest of all (Matthew 22:37-38), His citation including the mind as well. The command reveals both the goal of the law and human inability to meet it; Deuteronomy itself promises that the LORD will circumcise the heart so that His people will love Him wholly (30:6). The love the law requires is ultimately the fruit of God's regenerating grace.
- Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (BSB)“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”Israel is called to love the one LORD with all the heart, soul, and strength.
- Mark 12:29-30 (BSB)“Jesus replied, “This is the most important: ‘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 mind and with all your strength.’”Jesus quotes this passage and calls it the most important commandment.
- Matthew 22:37-38 (BSB)“Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.”In Matthew, Jesus calls this love for God the first and greatest commandment.
- Deuteronomy 30:6 (BSB)“The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, and you will love Him with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live.”God promises to circumcise the heart so His people will love Him wholly, supplying what the command requires.
General
True or False: Deuteronomy 6:8-9 directs Israel to keep God's words only inside the tabernacle, away from ordinary homes.
Answer: False
This is false. Moses tells Israel to tie God's words as reminders on their hands, bind them on their foreheads, and inscribe them on the doorframes of their homes and on their town gates (6:8-9). God's words were to be present in personal life, the home, and the town, not kept away in a holy place. Moses repeats the same instructions later (11:18-20). In Jesus' day some Jews wore small boxes containing Scripture passages, called phylacteries, and Jesus criticized religious leaders who enlarged theirs to be seen by others (Matthew 23:5). Proverbs uses a similar picture of binding faithfulness around the neck and writing it on the heart (Proverbs 3:3).
- Deuteronomy 6:8-9 (BSB)“Tie them as reminders on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates.”God's words are to be on hand and forehead, doorposts and gates.
- Deuteronomy 11:18-20 (BSB)“Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as reminders on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, speaking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates,”Moses repeats these instructions, confirming that God's words belong in daily and household life.
- Matthew 23:5 (BSB)“All their deeds are done for men to see. They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.”Jesus mentions the phylacteries worn in His day, showing how this command was later practiced.
- Proverbs 3:3 (BSB)“Never let loving devotion or faithfulness leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.”Proverbs uses the same picture of binding loving devotion and faithfulness on the neck and writing them on the heart.
Theological
True or False: Deuteronomy 6:8-9 confines the display of God's words to the sanctuary rather than the household.
Answer: False
This is false. The words are to be tied on the hand, bound on the forehead, and written on the doorframes of homes and on town gates (6:8-9), permeating personal life, household, and community rather than being confined to the sanctuary. Moses reiterates the instruction in 11:18-20. Later Jewish practice took the command in the form of phylacteries, which Jesus mentions when rebuking ostentation (Matthew 23:5), and Proverbs 3:3 uses the parallel image of binding loving devotion and faithfulness on the neck and heart.
- Deuteronomy 6:8-9 (BSB)“Tie them as reminders on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates.”God's words are to be on hand and forehead, doorposts and gates.
- Deuteronomy 11:18-20 (BSB)“Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as reminders on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, speaking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates,”Moses repeats these instructions, confirming that God's words belong in daily and household life.
- Matthew 23:5 (BSB)“All their deeds are done for men to see. They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.”Jesus mentions the phylacteries worn in His day, showing how this command was later practiced.
- Proverbs 3:3 (BSB)“Never let loving devotion or faithfulness leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.”Proverbs uses the same picture of binding loving devotion and faithfulness on the neck and writing them on the heart.