Read Deuteronomy 11:1-46
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.
Therefore shall ye lay up these My words in your heart. . . . 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. And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates (Deut. 11:8-20).
Children by nature do not develop a godly character. Through the ages, we have seen how they can be deceived by the prevailing materialistic philosophy.
The parents' first responsibility is to lay up the Word of God in their own hearts. Then they are commanded to teach the Word of God to their children. When thou sittest in thine house . . . when thou liest down, and when thou risest up calls for diligent teaching of scriptural Truths day after day. Parents should take advantage of every opportunity to teach them to be obedient to the Word of God.
Godly love for our children should prompt us to faithfully instill in them a realization that keeping His Commandments will lead to a right relationship with God and assurance of His future blessings.
God revealed to the Israelites the reason for obedience when He said: Ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this Law. For it is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life (Deut. 32:46-47).
Today, as never before, Christian parents should teach their children about the worldly and evil influences that would turn their attention away from the Lord. If parents are to be effective in training their children to love the Lord, they must take a definite stand in where their children worship, the friends they choose, and the places they go.
What we teach our children — both by example and instruction — determines, to a great extent, their love for God. We are assured that if we train up a child in the way he should go . . . when he is old, he will not depart from it (Prov. 22:6).
If our hearts are not full of the love of God — regardless how correct our discipline and teaching may be — our children will see our hypocrisy. Provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:4).
And that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation (II Tim. 3:15).
Thought for Today:
It is crucial to the future well-being of any nation to diligently teach the Word of God to their children.
Christ Revealed:
Through the Burnt Offerings which were totally consumed. These typified Christ's total offering of Himself to death (Deut. 12:6; see Heb. 10:5-7). 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 (Heb. 13:11-12).
Word Studies:
11:1 keep His charge, be true to all His requirements; 11:6 opened her mouth, split like a chasm; 11:10 thy foot, working a water treadmill with your foot; 11:11 drinketh water, soaks up water; 11:17 wrath be kindled, anger flare up; 11:21 as the days of heaven upon the earth, forever; 11:22 cleave, hold fast; 11:25 stand before you, resist you; 12:15 lusteth after, covets, desires; 12:26 holy, consecrated; 12:29 cut off, destroy; 13:13 Belial, worthlessness, evil; 13:15 smite, strike; 13:16 spoil, plunder; 13:18 hearken, listen and obey.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Radio Broadcasts sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. Rodney Heikkila • Staff: Beth Carlton • Government Officials: Gov. John Albert Kitzhaber (OR), Rep. Tim Holden (PA), and Rep. Todd Russell Platts (PA) • Country: Taiwan, Republic of China (22 million) 77 islands off the southeastern coast of Red China • Major language: Mandarin Chinese • Religious freedom • 80% "Chinese Religions" (Buddhist/Taoist/Confucian); 4% Christianity; .2% Muslim; 14% Atheist; 1.8% Other • Prayer Suggestion: Realize that you are insufficient (Eph. 6:10-11).
Optional Reading: Luke 20
Memory Verse for the Week: Philippians 2:13