“Hear, O Israel: The LORD 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 strength. “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. (Deuteronomy 6:4-9 NKJV)
There is an old saying that says, "The leader's job is to keep the main thing, the main thing." Moses attempts to do this in Deuteronomy 6 by reminding them that their existence revolves around loving God and family.
In our daily reading this morning we read more of the instructions of God upon the people of Israel on how they are to live in the Promised land. In this passage he sets out their priorities in life and how to transfer them to our children.
Reggie Joiner notes the principles Moses develops:
1. Relationship comes before rules (v.5)
You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. (Deuteronomy 6:5 NKJV)
2. Truth must be in you before it can be in them (v.6)
“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. (Deuteronomy 6:6 NKJV)
3. Each day offers natural opportunities for teaching (v.7)
You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. (Deuteronomy 6:7 NKJV)
- When you sit at home: meal time
- When you walk along the road: drive time
- When you lie down: bedtime
- When you get up: get ready time
4. Repetition is the teacher's best friend (vv.8-9)
You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. (Deuteronomy 6:8-9 NKJV)
In discovering what is most important in life - we should all make use of all the the opportunities given to us. We should ask God to help prioritize our lives and "seize the day" for what opportunities it brings.
At the end of my life - I might have been successful in my job, but was I successful in regards to leading my wife and kids and grandkids. Did I lay an example that they might emulate and follow?
As I read this passage again and again I am reminded of that which is most important - living a life fully to God that can be transferred to my family and to those around me.
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