ETB Deuteronomy 6:1-9,20-25

Cedric Chafee
ETB Fall 2025  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented
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Session 9: Love p.82

The book’s opening paragraph ends with the line:
Studies showed that the system helps children incorporate reading into their lives without realizing they are learning. [ETB:PSG Fall '25]
It calls this “passive information saturation.” People have been using this technique to instruct for as long as there has been something to learn. Unfortunately, it does not only work with godly content of influences but also with negative and worldly ideals as well. You may have noticed this being used over the last couple of weeks as we have been inundated with images and “fun times” displayed revolving around what some deem as a holiday. The news media and social media venues use this too by constantly telling you what is acceptable from their perspective. Without God’s Word and Spirit influencing us otherwise we could easily be swayed to believe their messages. Moses understood this as well as he wrote down the laws and commands of God. Repeating phrases often in an attempt to “passively saturate” the minds of the Israelites with godly influences.

Understand the Context

Last week we looked at the first few verses of Chapter 4.
The closing verses of Deuteronomy 4 remind readers of the context of Moses’s words to Israel (Deut. 4:44-49). God had brought His people to the edge of the land that He had promised their ancestors centuries earlier. 
Moses repeated the Ten Commandments for the people (5:1-21; see Ex. 20:1-17). These commands formed the foundation for all of God’s instruction. Moses reminded the Israelites how they had feared approaching the mountain when God gave His words (Deut. 5:22-33). Moses interceded for the people, and the Lord expressed His desire that they would always be faithful to Him. [LifeWay Adults (2025). Explore the Bible: Adult Leader Guide, Fall 2025]
Moses knows that he will not be in the Promised Land with the people to continue to teach and guide them in God’s laws and principles. He writes everything he can down for the people to “take with them” pouring all God’s passion and desire into the text.

Explore the Text

Deuteronomy 6:1–3 ESV
1 “Now this is the commandment—the statutes and the rules—that the Lord your God commanded me to teach you, that you may do them in the land to which you are going over, to possess it, 2 that you may fear the Lord your God, you and your son and your son’s son, by keeping all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be long. 3 Hear therefore, O Israel, and be careful to do them, that it may go well with you, and that you may multiply greatly, as the Lord, the God of your fathers, has promised you, in a land flowing with milk and honey.
commandment
Deuteronomy 5:22-33 recalled the past as the people received God’s instruction at Mount Sinai. In Deuteronomy 6, Moses focused on the present and future as he challenged Israel to live out the covenant in the promised land. [ETB:ALG Fall '25]
Last week we briefly discussed what the difference were between statutes and rules. In today’s passage, Moses lumps the two under a single title “commandment.” If you notice the word is in the singular but then later, he says they are plural again. Although a single context, there are multiple parts.
This is very similar to our use of “God’s Word” (singular) referring to all of the Scriptures (plural) in the Bible.
We are to consider them as a whole in regard to author and authority, but they must be studied and applied in their multiplicity.
I do not think that Moses thought he would be the last one to write down God’s words, but he did know that he was the first. In doing so he made it possible for those being taught to be able to tangibly “take them” with them into the Promised Land.
Moses does not claim these words as his own but proclaims they are from The Lord your God stressing Israel’s covenant relationship with Him. He had established His covenant with Abraham, and now He was affirming it with them. The word translated do literally means “follow.” The people were expected to show their commitment to God by consistently obeying His words. [ETB:ALG Fall '25]
fear the Lord
This word fear is not the terror type but more of the reverence or revering highly type. Note how Moses says that the people can display this reverence - by keeping, observing, or more generally “doing” the commandments.
From our passage last week:
Deuteronomy 4:6 “6 Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’”
The same is still true for us today, we show our reverence by observing all the commandments - Old and New in Scripture. This contrast with what the world holds in regard is noticed - sometime for better, other times as an object of ridicule.
Ask: What are some practical ways to “fear the Lord” each day?
Your son and son’s son
Not only were the original hearers and readers to fear the Lord but Moses continues to encourage the instruction of the next generations in the ways of the Lord.
Each generation needed to lay hold of the covenant for itself. The book of Joshua records how God’s people conquered the land of Canaan. Unfortunately, the book of Judges records how they soon compromised spiritually and fell into idolatry. The generational teaching did not take root, and the nation fell into a chaotic cycle of sin. [ETB:ALG Fall '25]
Even though the next generation may not take up the mantle of obedience and faithfulness, for those who do it will be for - all the days of your life
This gives us the time frame for which obedience is expected.
Do we get any days off?
Once we get a certain age is there any “relaxing” of the rules?
If anything there is probably a higher standard for those that have lived under His grace longer.
Note that if this obedience is observed, one of the benefits that our life is extended so that we can continue honoring His name with our life.
What I think is interesting is that for believers, after we die the keeping of His statues will not be optional and it will be eternal. I look forward in anticipation of that day when I no longer have to work at not sinning.
multiply greatly
Another blessing linked to the Israelites obedience was their numbers would be increased. For us today this is not a “national” increase but a “kingdom” increase. Our following and displaying obedience to God’s Word will eventually expand His kingdom and as His kingdom grows so does His influence.
The Bible often describes Canaan as a region filled with milk and honey. Many scholars believe the reference to “honey” denotes date honey, whereas “milk” describes the milk obtained from goats. Thus, the description signifies Canaan as a land where both farmers and shepherds could thrive. [ETB:ALG Fall '25]
This would be a welcome contrast to the 40+ years of wandering in the wilderness that the people have been doing. Knowing that such a place was waiting for them just over the river would create some eagerness and anticipation for their journey to end.
Deuteronomy 6:4–9 ESV
4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 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. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Hear
This word is where the term “The Shema” comes from for it is the Hebrew word for listen.
Do you remember the names of Noah’s three sons?
Shem is the one from which the Hebrews came from, the “h” became silent over the years and was dropped and now you will hear the Jewish people called “Semites.” The Hebrew word for listen and their ethnic name have the same root word. I do not think that this is coincidence that this verse which is foundation to their culture also has the cultural name embedded in it. God’s people “hear” Him and those that call themselves His “listeners” obey His commands.

The Shema is not a prayer (rabbinic literature never refers to “praying” the Shema) but a confession of faith or creed. The practice of reciting the Shema daily is firmly established in the Mishnah (ca A.D. 200), which underscores the Shema’s importance in Jewish religious experience by its opening words:

The LORD our God, the LORD is one.
Depending on your translation the wording of this phrase at the end of verse four may be slightly different.

Yahweh our God, Yahweh is unique The four Hebrew words used here represent the core confession of belief in Yahweh as the one true God. However, the syntactic relationship of these four Hebrew words—yhwh elohenu yhwh echad—presents a complicated translation issue. These four words can be understood as a single clause or as two separate clauses.

Additional ambiguity over the grammatical function of the final word yields five possible translations for this confession: (1) “Yahweh is our God; Yahweh is one.” (2) “Yahweh our God, Yahweh is one.” (3) “Yahweh our God is one Yahweh.” (4) “Yahweh is our God, Yahweh alone.” (5) “Our one God is Yahweh, Yahweh.” The problem is that while Hebrew frequently uses nominal sentences (where the verb “to be” is understood), the Shema does not clearly fit the typical patterns for those types of sentences.

However it is translated for you on the page, the truth of it must be written on your heart in order to obey the rest of this command.
love the Lord your God... with all your heart

Calling all Israelites to love God without reservation or qualification, Moses begins with the inner being, then moves to the whole person, and ends with all that one claims as one’s own. This is the yoke of the kingdom—covenant commitment rooted in the heart but extending to every level of one’s being.

Heart in the Hebrew context also included the mind and most of the “person” within that makes them unique to any others. It is the “You” within “you.” Some call this the non-spiritual or intellectual part of ourselves.
We have already seen how obedience equates with reverence, now the word used is love but it has the same connotation of obedience to the person of affection.
How do we show “love” with our inner self?
love the Lord your God… all your soul
This part has a spiritual context but is not just that but for the Hebrew it included their emotional thoughts and desires.
What might loving the lord with all our soul look like?
love the Lord your God… all your might
Might is equated with power or authority, it may include physical strength but not exclusively. Today we may use the word “influence.”
How can we use our influence and authority to show God that we love and cherish Him?
In one of my devotionals this week it reminded me of the verse in 1John.
1 John 2:16 “16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.”
Holiness Day by Day: Transformational Thoughts for Your Spiritual Journey Week 44 / Weekend: Know Your Enemy (Matthew 26:41)

The Bible speaks of three different sources of temptation waging war against the children of God: the world, the flesh, and the devil. We need to know how they operate and how they tempt us.

These three in 1John are in direct opposition to the three that Moses lists in the Shema. We will either use our hearts, soul, and might for God or it will be pulled away by the enemy.
The last part of us that we are to use to show God’s love comes from Jesus’ quoting of the Shema in the New Testament.
Mark 12:29–30 “29 Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’”
love the Lord your God… all your strength
This is similar to the word “might” but this time it is more about the physical. Although it is not about physical strength or power but “capabilities” as well. Today we would use terms like “natural abilities” and “skill sets.”
How would using these to honor God be different than when the world?
I think one of the biggest noticeable differences is that the benefit would not be self-serving or self-promoting but about lifting up God’s ideals or those in need of His provisions. We honor God when we pour ourselves out for others and not ourselves.
teach them diligently
Not only were the people to obey and display their love of God but were to teach those coming after them how to do the same. Notice the qualifier - diligently.
This is not a haphazard instruction whenever you get around to it.

In the intensive form of the verb, it means to teach incisively (

Everyone in the camp would understand the reference of have God’s Word “cut into” the hearts like etching stone tablets. God had done it for them on stone, and they were in the ark. Now the people were to continue inscribing His Word on their hearts and those in their families.

This command presumes that teachers know their content, which in turn presumes concentrated effort and study.

We cannot teach something we do not know. If we try, our students will leave and not come back because they will see the fallacy of our instruction.

We must know right from wrong, not only in theory but in practice. We must know how to apply God’s truth to our lives and how to live in obedience to His commandments. That’s why Moses instructed us to teach our children God’s commandments throughout the day, not just in a half-hour Sunday school lesson. We are to say plainly to them, “This is right behavior; this is wrong behavior. This is God’s commandment. This is the consequence for breaking God’s commandment.” An education in right and wrong must occur twenty-four hours a day, every day of the year.

Ask: What are some other practical way we can keep God’s Word and commandments at the forefront of our lives?
Bind them on your hand… write them on the doorposts… and gates.
CSB adds word “city” as a qualifier to the gates that is not in other translations. This would shift the responsibility of obedience from a solely personal level to a include a corporate or congregational level.
The Open Bible Chapter 6

Jews in Jesus’ time took vv. 8, 9 to be literal commands. Almost certainly they were originally intended figuratively as indicated by vv. 6, 7. God’s law is to be in the heart, not on a doorpost or a forehead.

The Open Bible Chapter 6

In addition, copies of

There are many Jewish people who still do this literally. You can go on Amazon and purchase a mezuzah.
The application of these verses for us today is that there should be a contrast with the world and it is not only to be in our persons but also visible in the places we live.
Could someone coming into your home recognize that you are a follower of Christ or at least the Bible without you telling them?
Deuteronomy 6:20–25 ESV
20 “When your son asks you in time to come, ‘What is the meaning of the testimonies and the statutes and the rules that the Lord our God has commanded you?’ 21 then you shall say to your son, ‘We were Pharaoh’s slaves in Egypt. And the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. 22 And the Lord showed signs and wonders, great and grievous, against Egypt and against Pharaoh and all his household, before our eyes. 23 And he brought us out from there, that he might bring us in and give us the land that he swore to give to our fathers. 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 we are this day. 25 And it will be righteousness for us, if we are careful to do all this commandment before the Lord our God, as he has commanded us.’
When your son asks
Kids do not always understand what is going on around them, but they do inherently recognize patterns. When their friends at school or on the playground do and say things that their parents or siblings do not, they notice. If a parent is in the habit of “teaching diligently” the child will come to them and ask questions for they know they can “learn”, and in this something that they are interested in understanding.
God made kids this way and when the parents are obedient to His commands, He knows the sons will ask questions. You could call this the first catechism in Scripture. A programmed response to a planned question.
I know this is short notice, but if you had to summarize or put these verses into a New Testament context for a similar question from a child, how might you say it? If you had to summarize your redemption story for a child, could you do it?
I used to be bound to this world and its temptations like a slave in chains. God through His Son Jesus broke those chains and the world’s hold on my heart. Since then, He has allowed me to see and learn things about Himself and His creation that I would have not understood or even recognized without the Spirit showing me. He has blessed me with a place to live, a career to pay for it, and a place to worship Him as He has called me to. Because of all those blessings and what He did for me, I strive to live out the rest of the Bible’s truth in my life, and this looks different from the world. God’s righteousness in me helps me obey Him, and that makes me different from others.
It may be a good thing to write out or think about this week, and to use as kids and grandkids ask, “Why do you do that Dad/Grandad?” There may be other convictions that we should consider preparing a response for also. Maybe review a few of those childhood catechisms for ourselves as adults. Questions and responses have been some of the best teaching tools throughout history. God shows us here that we can anticipate them and prepare a response the shows how we love God with “all our heart, soul, might, and strength.”
that he might preserve us

What is promised here is a right relationship with God for all those who love him with all their heart. It speaks of a good relationship with God and the ultimate benefit of knowing him. It is not blanket protection against poverty, adversity, or suffering. We can have this right relationship with God by obeying his command to love him with all that we are.

Apply the Text

Moses taught his people and he teaches us and Christians everywhere that true spirituality arises from the heart and extends to all of life. Those who claim to be religious tend to be subject to two temptations: either to treat spirituality as primarily interior and private or to treat it as a matter of external performance. True love for God is rooted in the heart, but it is demonstrated in life, specifically a passion to speak of one’s faith in the context of the family and to declare one’s allegiance publicly to the world. This passage suggests that the very decoration of our homes should bear testimony to our faith, declaring to all guests and passers-by the fundamentally theological outlook of those who live within and serving as reminders to residents to live in dependence on God and to realize that blessing is contingent on obedience.

“Love the Lord” (Baptist Hymnal 2008, No. 562) 
Pray: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your faithfulness to us in so many ways throughout our lives thus far. Holy Spirit, remind and guide us to demonstrate our love for You by obeying Your commands and Your Word. Lord, show us ways that we can be more intentional about putting You at the center of our lives so that all who watch are pointed to You consistently. God, when the hard times come, remind us of Your faithfulness so that we can rely on You to continue in our faith and keeping You high and lifted up in our hearts, our minds, our souls.
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