Deuteronomy Chapter 6 — Loving the Lord Your God
Moses instructs the Israelites to love God with their whole being and to diligently teach His commandments to their children throughout their lives.
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Notable Verses
Deuteronomy 6:4-5
“Hear, Israel: The LORD is our God. The LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might.”
Known as the Shema, these verses represent the central confession of faith for the people of Israel.
Deuteronomy 6:7
“and you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up.”
This verse establishes the importance of passing religious instruction to the next generation through every aspect of daily life.
Chapter Summary
In Deuteronomy 6, Moses delivers the central tenets of Israel's covenant with God. He introduces the Shema, declaring that the Lord is one and commanding the people to love God with all their heart, soul, and strength. Moses emphasizes that these commandments must be internalized and taught diligently to children through daily conversation and visible signs on their homes. He warns the Israelites that when they enter the prosperous land promised to their ancestors, they must not forget the God who delivered them from slavery in Egypt. The chapter concludes by explaining how parents should answer when their children ask about the meaning of God's laws, instructing them to recount the story of the Exodus and explain that the statutes are for their own well-being and preservation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Shema is the declaration found in verses 4 and 5, stating that the Lord is one and calling for total love and devotion to Him. It is considered a cornerstone of Israelite faith and practice.
They were commanded to keep the words in their hearts, talk about them daily with their families, and use physical reminders like symbols on their hands and doorposts.
Moses warns the people not to forget God once they are settled in the land and enjoying its abundance, such as cities they did not build and vineyards they did not plant.
Parents are instructed to explain that the laws were given by the God who rescued them from slavery in Egypt to ensure their ongoing prosperity and preservation.
Study Note
The practice of binding signs on the hand and head mentioned in verse 8 eventually led to the development of tefillin used in Jewish prayer.
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