SOURCE FOR QUESTIONS

Deuteronomy 6:1 through 8:20

KEY VERSE FOR MEMORIZATION
“Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations.” (Deuteronomy 7:9)

BACKGROUND

Moses had given Israel the second edition of the Ten Commandments, and he had taught the people what God commanded him to teach. If Israel obeyed the Lord, they would conquer the enemy, possess the Promised Land, and enjoy a long life with God’s blessing. However, God knew the dangers that Israel would face when they came into that land of prosperity. He was going to give them great blessings, but He knew their thoughts could become so engrossed in those blessings — houses, vineyards, olive trees, etc. — that they would forget Him.

Moses knew this risk of prosperity, too, and he charged Israel to be diligent to keep up their service to God after they were in Canaan. He reminded them that there is only one God, and their first duty was to love Him with all their hearts. He cautioned them against those things that would be the ruin of their religion — to forget the Lord who brought them out of the land of Egypt, the abuse of plenty, and the inclination to idolatry.

One of Israel’s great challenges was to pass along their heritage and an understanding of God’s commandments to their children and grandchildren. God was explicit in how this was to be accomplished: by teaching, by removing the inhabitants from the land, and by rehearsing what God had done. Theirs was a glorious and miraculous history of God’s mercy and love, a history of great deliverances and providential care. Teaching their children would help them remember God’s faithfulness and great works.

Moses had already emphasized God’s love for Israel and the importance of Israel’s love for God. He reminded them that all of their blessings came from the Lord because of His covenant with their fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

QUESTIONS

1. What is the first commandment? (Deuteronomy 6:4-5) Is it possible to command a person to love? Explain your answer.
2. Moses gave Israel specific directions about diligently teaching God’s Commandments to their children. (Deuteronomy 6:7-9) List six actions he told Israel to take. Then give an example of how three of those actions might be implemented in families today.
3. A literal understanding of Deuteronomy 6:8 has led many people to place copies of verses 4-9 on their foreheads, hands, or doorposts. What was Moses’ intent? How does that intent relate to us today?
4. What steps can we take to pass on the history of God’s Word to the next generation?
5. God knew the temptations Israel would face in the Promised Land, and His commandments to them were for their protection. List four of God’s commands. (Deuteronomy 7:2,3,5,25) Name two commands that God has given us that could result in spiritual protection in our day.
6. What was one reason that God said the inhabitants of the land of Canaan should be destroyed? (Deuteronomy 7:4)
7. List three of the blessings that God promised Israel if they would obey. (Deuteronomy 7:13-24)
8. Chapter 8 contains more warnings to remember God. Why do you think so many warnings were necessary? Do you think people today need fewer or more warnings? Why?
9. Several themes are repeated throughout these three chapters of Deuteronomy. Note two of those themes and tell how they apply today.

CONCLUSION

Love for God is the first and greatest commandment of all, and it is the summary of all the commandments. Our love for Him must be a strong love. We must love him in the most intense degree, with all that is within us. He that is our all must have our all. To love Him this way will bring rest and satisfaction to the soul. If we obey and walk in God’s good way, we will find His benefits and blessings.