Study Questions:

1. How does the Lord affirm that there is only one true God? Deuteronomy 6:4

2. In what way does God expect us to love Him? Deuteronomy 6:5

Commentary and Reflection:

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

These words are cherished by Jews even today. They call it “Shema,” which in Hebrew means “hear,” because of the first word of the declaration. It is repeated as part of the morning and evening prayer, and it is one of their most ingrained traditions. For them, it is both an expression of loyalty and worship.

The Word of God must be upon the heart and repeated to the children and must have a prominent place in the homes of His people. It is His Word and His commandments that distinguish us. Without it, we are like any other people from any other nation. Just as we are identified by our accent and regional customs, we must distinguish ourselves even more by obeying the Lord’s commandments.

In verses 20 and onwards of chapter 6, it explains the reason why we should obey the commandments and statutes of the Lord. When your children ask, ” What is the meaning of the testimonies, the statutes, and the judgments which the LORD our God has commanded you?” Then, you shall say”,

1. Because the Lord freed us, “‘We were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt, and the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand; 22 and the LORD showed signs and wonders before our eyes, great and severe, against Egypt, Pharaoh, and all his household. 23 Then He brought us out from there, that He might bring us in, to give us the land of which He [f]swore to our fathers.” Deuteronomy 6:21-23

Egypt represents for us life in sin, far from the knowledge of God.

2. Because we are His people, “And the LORD commanded us to [g]observe all these [h]statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that He might preserve us alive, as it is [i]this day.” Deuteronomy 6:24

3. Because we are a righteous people, 25 Then it will be righteousness for us, if we are careful to observe all these commandments before the LORD our God, as He has commanded us.’” Deuteronomy 6:25

Chapter 7 expresses the reasons for the elimination of the Canaanite peoples. These peoples had filled the measure of wickedness, like the antediluvians and like the people at the time of the end. After multiple opportunities, God had decided that their end had come. Only God in His omniscience, love, and sovereignty can decide something like this.

“The Canaanites had a primitive mythology. Their religion contained the most demoralizing worship practices then existing in the Near East. Human sacrifice, sacred prostitution, eunuch priests, snake worship, brutal mythology.” Biblical and Archaeological History: A Sketch, Homer Heater Jr.

The people of God are holy because they are set apart from the world for Him. Not because we are better than others, but because He loved us.

There are precious gems of thought in these chapters. May the Holy Spirit guide us to discover and treasure them.