Deuteronomy - Chapter 6

Deuteronomy 6.1 Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it: Deuteronomy 6.2 That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son’s son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged. Deuteronomy 6.3 Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey. Deuteronomy 6.4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: Deuteronomy 6.5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. Deuteronomy 6.6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: Deuteronomy 6.7 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. Deuteronomy 6.8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. Deuteronomy 6.9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates. Deuteronomy 6.10 And it shall be, when the LORD thy God shall have brought thee into the land which he sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give thee great and goodly cities, which thou buildedst not, Deuteronomy 6.11 And houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not, and wells digged, which thou diggedst not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not; when thou shalt have eaten and be full; Deuteronomy 6.12 Then beware lest thou forget the LORD, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. Deuteronomy 6.13 Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name. Deuteronomy 6.14 Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which are round about you; Deuteronomy 6.15 (For the LORD thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the LORD thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth. Deuteronomy 6.16 Ye shall not tempt the LORD your God, as ye tempted him in Massah. Deuteronomy 6.17 Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he hath commanded thee. Deuteronomy 6.18 And thou shalt do that which is right and good in the sight of the LORD: that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest go in and possess the good land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers. Deuteronomy 6.19 To cast out all thine enemies from before thee, as the LORD hath spoken. Deuteronomy 6.20 And when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What mean the testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD our God hath commanded you? Deuteronomy 6.21 Then thou shalt say unto thy son, We were Pharaoh’s bondmen in Egypt; and the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand: Deuteronomy 6.22 And the LORD shewed signs and wonders, great and sore, upon Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his household, before our eyes: Deuteronomy 6.23 And he brought us out from thence, that he might bring us in, to give us the land which he sware unto our fathers. Deuteronomy 6.24 And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is at this day. Deuteronomy 6.25 And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as he hath commanded us.

Deuteronomy : Chapter 6

The Great Commandment: A Call to Total Devotion

Deuteronomy chapter 6 proclaims the great commandment, revealing the heart of devotion to God. This pivotal text presents the Shema, an exhortation to total faithfulness to Yahweh, while also instructing on passing on the faith to our children. In this chapter, the emphasis is on love for God, the importance of His Word in our daily lives, and the dangers of prosperity without gratitude.

Deuteronomy 6 defines the heart of Israelite spirituality, calling us to meditate on its profound teachings. Together, we will explore five biblical passages that resonate with the central themes of this transformative chapter.

Matthew 22:37-38

"Jesus answered, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. »

In this passage, Jesus directly quotes Deuteronomy 6:5, thus emphasizing the centrality of this commandment in our life of faith.

Luke 10:27-28

“He answered, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Jesus said, “You have answered correctly. Do this, and you will live.” »

This verse is another direct quote from Deuteronomy 6:5, showing the continuing importance of this teaching in Jesus' mission.

Ephesians 6:1-3

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother" is the first commandment with a promise: "that it may go well with you and that you may have long life on the earth." »

The apostle Paul recalls Deuteronomy 6:2-3, linking filial obedience to the promise of a long and prosperous life.

Hebrews 12:5-6

“And you have forgotten the word of encouragement he speaks to you as to children: ‘My son, do not despise the discipline of the Lord, and do not be offended by his reproof, for the Lord disciplines those he loves and chastises everyone he accepts as a son.’” »

This passage echoes Deuteronomy 6:7-9, emphasizing the importance of teaching and disciplining our children in the faith.

James 2:19

"Do you believe there is only one God? Very well! Even the demons believe—and tremble!" »

James refers to the statement in Deuteronomy 6:4 ("The Lord our God is one Lord"), reminding us that mere belief is not enough; it must be accompanied by an active and committed life of faith.

May these passages encourage us to deepen our devotion and commitment to God, living according to His commandments and passing these values ​​on to the next generation.