Opening illustration: My nephew in Delhi Aashan began to recognize cars by make and year very early for his age. This all started when he and his grandpa began spending time together playing with his old collection of toy cars. His grandpa would say, “Aashan, get the 1957 Chevy,” and he would pick it out of the hundreds of tiny cars. Whenever they would go out for a drive, he would be able to name the model of the cars he saw on the streets or in the parking lots. And once, while his grandpa was reading a book on ‘Cars’ to him, he climbed down from his lap and ran to get a miniature Rolls Royce—an exact replica of the car pictured in the book. If a 2-year-old child can make such connections, doesn’t that show the importance of teaching children the right things early on?
Let us turn to Deuteronomy 6 and meditate on the firm instructive foundations Moses gave to the Israelites.
Introduction: Moses was the leader of an inexperienced nation which had no homeland but were promised one. A previous generation was dead and gone. Forty years prior, his current audience was 20 years old and younger. Looking into the eyes of Generation Next, the 120 year old Moses challenges them to love and live for God. He must speak into their young hearts about God’s expectations for Promised Land living. I heard a preacher once saying that the book of Deuteronomy actually means, “Dude, you better honor me.” That’s not accurate etymology, but it is good theology.
This follows Moses’ pattern in Deuteronomy 6 of taking every opportunity to teach biblical truths so that children become familiar with them and make them a part of their lives. Using their interests as teaching opportunities, we repeat Bible stories so they become recognizable, while modeling a godly life before them. The fear of God in the heart will be the most powerful principle of obedience. It is highly desirable that not we only, but our children, and our children’s children, may fear the Lord. Religion and righteousness advance and secure the prosperity of any people.
Let’s give the children in our lives a firm foundation by teaching them about God’s love, Christ’s salvation, and the importance of godly living.
How to have and pass on a firm foundation?
1. Obey (vs. 1-4)
Moses proceeds to set forth more particularly and to encourage the cardinal and essential doctrines of the Decalogue, the nature and attributes of God, and the fitting mode of honoring and worshipping Him. Two objects are indicated Deuteronomy 6: 2-3, the glory of God and the welfare of man, as the grand aims that he has in view.
• God is to be heard (shema); no obligation without law to found it on, and no law in religion but from God.
• The commandment must be understood in order to be obeyed.
• It must be observed - attentively considered, in order to be understood.
• It must be performed, that the end for which it was given may be accomplished, viz., that God may be glorified, and that it may be well with the people.
What is here spoken applies powerfully to every part of the moral law; God has given it as a rule of life, therefore obedience to it is indispensably necessary, not to the purchase of salvation, for no human merit can ever extend to that, but it is the way by which both the justice and mercy of God choose to conduct men to heaven. But let it be fully understood that no man can walk in the way of obedience but by and under the influence of the grace of God.
The maintenance of the fear of God would bring prosperity, and the increase of the nation promised to the fathers.
Illustration: Do we expect obedience from our children? Do we exemplify that through our obedience to God our Father?
2. Love (vs. 5-6)
This is the first and chief commandment in the law, the sum and substance of the first table of it; and includes in it, or at least has connected with it, knowledge of God, esteem of him, delight in him, faith and trust in him, fear and worship of him, and obedience to him, which when right springs from it. God is to be loved because of the perfections of his nature, and the works of his hand, of nature, providence, and grace; and because of the relations he stands in to men, and especially to his own people; and because of his peculiar love to them; and, indeed, he is to be loved by all men for his care of them, and blessings of goodness bestowed on them; the manner in which this is to be done follows: with a superlative love, above all creatures whatever; with the whole of the affections of the heart, with great fervency and ardor of spirit, in the sincerity of the soul, and with all the strength of grace a man has, with such love that is as strong as death. Jarchi interprets loving God with all the heart, that is, with thy heart not divided about God, a heart not divided between God and the creature; "all thy might" he interprets of mammon or substance; and, indeed, that is one way in which men may show their love to God, by laying out their substance in his service, and for the support of his cause and interest in the world. Aben Ezra by "the heart" understands knowledge, and by the "soul" the spirit of man that is in his body, and by might perfect love in the heart.
Love is on what all the commandments and laws balance on. This is the first and foremost foundation. The New Testament itself requires no more than this total self-surrender of man’s being to his maker Matthew 22: 37. The Gospel differs from the Law not so much in replacing an external and carnal service of God by an inward and spiritual one, as in supplying new motives and special assistances for the attainment of that divine love which was, from the first and all along, enjoined as “the first and great commandment.” We love Him because He first loved us (1 John 4: 19).
Illustration: Our love for God (T’êb.h;a’äw>)) is a love beyond measure and uncomprehend-able in an earthly way. This breaks all boundaries and surpasses all obstacles. It is so passionate that you would even put your life on the line for Christ to exemplify what He did for us or will we really? This is an (shema- to hear) affirmation of our love, faith and trust in God. Do our children see our love for God above other things in our lives?
3. Model (v. 7)
Care and diligence are to be used, and pains taken, to instruct children by modeling, exemplifying and mentoring, as soon as they are capable, in the knowledge of God, and of his commandments; that they are to love him, fear him, serve, and worship him; this is to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, Ephesians 6: 4, it may be rendered "thou shalt whet or sharpen them" (s), the words or commandments; it is expressive of diligence and industry in teaching, by frequent repetition of things, by inculcating them continually into their minds, endeavoring to imprint them there, that they may be sharp, ready, and expert in them: at the time of meals, or at leisure hours, or even when employed in any business in the house which will admit of it; every opportunity should be taken to instill the knowledge of divine things into their tender minds: in a journey, and any of his children with him; or for diversion, in the garden, field, or vineyard; occasion may be taken on sight of any of the works of creation to lead into a discourse concerning God, his nature, perfections, and works, and the obligations his creatures lie under to love, fear, and serve him: and when you lie down, and when you rise up; at the time of going to bed, and rising from it; which, as they are seasons of prayer to God, may be improved in instruction of children.
Statistic: Your home is the number one influence in the life of your child. They average church has a child 1% of his time, the home has him 83% of his time and the school for the remaining 16%. This does not minimize the need for churches and schools, but it establishes the fact your home is 83% of your child’s world and you have only one time around to make it of maximum benefit.
Illustration: Former President George H.W. Bush was asked this question, “What is you greatest accomplishment in life?” President Bush might have mentioned his success during World War II as a Navy pilot. He might have called to mind his 8 years as Vice President under Ronald Reagan. He might have mentioned his own successful presidency. He might have spoken of his time as the head of the CIA, or of his years as U.S. Ambassador to China. He could have bragged about his success during Operation Desert Storm. But, when answering this question, President Bush revealed his heart as well as his priorities when he said, “My greatest accomplishment is that my children still come to see me.”
4. Meditate/Remember (vs. 8-9)
Is not this an allusion to an ancient and general custom observed in almost every part of the world? When a person wishes to remember a thing of importance, and is afraid to trust to the common operations of memory, he ties a knot on some part of his clothes, or a cord on his hand or finger, or places something out of its usual order, and in view, that his memory may be whetted to recollection, and his eye affect his heart. God, who knows how slow of heart we are to understand, graciously orders us to make use of every help, and through the means of things sensible, to rise to things spiritual.
As these words are figurative, and denote an undeviating observance of the divine commands, so also the commandment which follows, viz., to write the words upon the door-posts of the house, and also upon the gates, are to be understood spiritually; and the literal fulfillment of such a command could only be a praiseworthy custom or well-pleasing to God when resorted to as the means of keeping the commandments of God constantly before the eye.
Notice too that the command consists of writing the Word on the doorposts of their houses and on their gates. This command has given birth to the tradition of the "mezuzah." If you have ever walked into a Jewish person’s home, you may have noticed a small box made of metal, glass, ceramics, or wood mounted in the doorway. This is a mezuzah, named for the Hebrew word for doorpost: "mez-oo-ZAW." Inside the box is a small piece of paper on which is written this passage (Deuteronomy 6: 4-9) as well as chapter 11, verses 13-21.
There is another interesting aspect to God’s command to bind these words upon the hand and the forehead. This sign of devotion will be imitated by the devil in the future. We read in the book of Revelation that the beast will demand to be worshiped. Whoever does not will be killed. Whoever does, will ... Rev. 13: 16 ... be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead. This mark is the name of the beast or the number of his name (Rev. 13: 17). One fascinating Bible study to undertake is to examine everything that the devil does, and see how often it is simply a pale imitation of God’s ways. The devil, in seeking to be like God, has foregone creative inspiration and sought after shallow imitation.
Illustration: (a) With regard to the other usage supposed to be alluded to, the ancient Egyptians had the lintels and imposts of their doors and gates inscribed with sentences indicative of a favorable omen; and this is still the case, for in Islamic countries, the front doors of houses are painted red, white, and green, bearing conspicuously inscribed upon them such sentences from the Koran, as "God is the Creator," "God is one, and Mohammed is his prophet." Moses designed to turn this ancient and favorite custom to a better account and ordered that, instead of the former superstitious inscriptions, there should be written the words of God, persuading and enjoining the people to hold the laws in perpetual remembrance.
(b) My maternal grandma had a habit of tying a knot on any piece of her clothing that she wore for reminding her that she had something to do or take care of … Though we made fun of her simple form of reminder, it never failed her. Today we put reminders for ourselves on phones and computers … sometimes the electronic gadgets fail us but God’s Word never. ‘Though heaven and earth may pass away but God’s Word will never ever pass away.’ Let us learn to pursue to meditate on them possibly by memorizing, putting up verses on the walls of our homes to read whenever we pass by, even play scripture audio so that it gets imbedded in our lives and in our system. Remember what goes into us will also find a place to come out. What are you feeding your kids/yourself with?
Application: What will you do to make your family one that teaches God’s Word in the home? What will you do that will spiritually benefit your family for the next three or more generations?
Geographically – You could serve your family right where you are, now, today, by teaching God’s Word in your home every day.
Generationally – You could take time to teach your children and your grandchildren.
Congregationally – You could decide to serve Generation Next by serving in the nursery, Sunday school or youth ministries right here at VC. By touching this generation, you will potentially reach out to many thousands to come.
Build your children’s lives on the firm foundation of the Word.
