God's Word in the Home

on

Text: Deuteronomy 6:4-8 
4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: 5 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 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. 8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. 

Formally known as the Jewish confession of faith, the "Shema [to hear] is the centerpiece of the daily morning and evening prayer services and is considered by some the most essential prayer in all of Judaism. An affirmation of God’s singularity and kingship, its daily recitation is regarded by traditionally observant Jews as a biblical commandment" (My Jewish Learning: https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/the-shema/). In addition to the affirmation of God's sovereignty, instruction was given to "teach them diligently unto thy children" (v. 6). In those days children were trained by their parents. There were no schools like we have today. The children of Israel were living in tents during their forty years in the wilderness (see Tent Dwellings by Fred H. Wight: https://www.ancient-hebrew.org/manners/tent-dwellings.htm; Num. 1:52).

God spoke through Moses to His people. Other groups in surrounding areas worshipped many gods. The children of Israel were reminded that they were serving the one true God—the creator of all things. All that He is, is revealed in His word. It helps to govern our sensibilities, direct our life at home and in our community, and prepares us for Christ's second coming.

“We must allow the Word of God to confront us, 
to disturb our security, to undermine our complacency 
and to overthrow our patterns of thought and behavior.” 
― John Stott 

Prayer: Dear God, thank you for the Bible! I confess, Lord, that I have not read it as often as I should. As I turn its pages, may I find security, healing, and forgiveness. You are the only true God, creator of all things. Amen!