Read Deuteronomy 11
Highlights:
Diligent study of the Word of God required; blessings for obedience and the curse for disobedience; God to choose the place of worship; idolatrous cities to be destroyed.
And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up (Deut. 11:19).
To perpetuate loyalty and love to God in future generations, every Israelite was to live in subjection to the Word of God. Our foremost concern every day should be to teach our children to love the Lord and to be obedient to Him. They should have no doubt that we also truly love the Lord and are obedient to Him. If our hearts are filled with the Word of God, it will overflow into our actions and conversations. For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified (Rom. 2:13).
Moses repeated to the new generation what the Lord had said to their parents and reminded them of how important it is to Moses repeated to the new generation what the Lord had said to their parents and reminded them of how important it is to (hold fast) unto Him (Deut. 11:22).
Another fundamental principle that is essential for pleasing God is to rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your households, wherein the Lord thy God hath blessed thee (12:7).
What our children will become is often influenced by what they learn about our values in life. That is why parents need to devote time to molding the rapidly developing minds of their young children. It is of utmost importance that parents guide even the youngest children to have reverence for God, to worship Him, to pray, and to recognize the Bible as the voice of God speaking directly to them. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also (2 Tim. 2:2).
Influences outside the home often send strong messages to our children that are opposite in character to the values we desire them to live by. It becomes increasingly important in this time of moral chaos to provide our children with a strong spiritual home environment.
Children need to fear (have a reverential attitude of deep concern) be obedient to God and to know that His command is to honour their father and mother.
Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth (Eph. 6:2-3).
Thought for Today:
Spending time with the Lord each day reading His Word is one of our greatest blessings.
Word Studies:
11:14 first . . . latter rain, autumn/winter (October through January) . . . later spring (March/April) rain; 11:21 fathers, ancestors beginning with Abraham; 11:24 uttermost sea, Mediterranean Sea; 11:30 champaign over against Gilgal, Arabah, the flat, open country opposite Gilgal; 12:15 gates, towns.
Christ Revealed:
Through the burnt offerings which were totally consumed. These typified Christ’s total offering of Himself to death (Deuteronomy 12:6; see Hebrews 10:5-7). For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the Sanctuary (Holy Place) by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. Wherefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify (make holy) the people with His own blood, suffered without the gate (Hebrews 13:11-12).
Prayer Suggestion: Pray for godly discernment to know His will (Ezekiel 44:23).
Optional Reading: Luke 20
Memory Verse for the Week: Philippians 2:13