Instructions Before Entering the Promised Land

INTRO

Moses began his sermon in Deuteronomy 1-3. He talked directly to the young Israelites, reminding them of the battles they had gone through and telling them that Joshua would be taking over.

TEACHING

Deuteronomy 4: This chapter provides instructions on how to live as wise people (vv. 1-40), what the cities of refuge were and what they were for (vv. 41-43), and because they were a people who forgot things, Moses went over the instructions again (vv. 44-49).

Deuteronomy 5: This chapter provides information of the Lord’s covenant with His people (vv. 1-5), the Ten Commandments (vv. 6-22), and that Moses was the mediator between the Israelites and God (vv. 23-33).

Deuteronomy 6 is an important chapter for the Israelites and for the Jewish culture today. Wiersbe explained that “God gave His law not only to guide people individually but also for a nation collectively.”1 There were 613 laws given, and the religious leaders were taking those laws and adding traditions to the point that it became unbearable. Israel today is depressing because the people can’t live up to all the laws and regulations. Acts 15:10 talks about the yoke of the law on the Jews. Galatians 5:1 says that Christ has set us free from that weight; Psalm 119:14, 45, 103, 105 also talk of the riches and sweetness in the law. Even within the law there is freedom.

Deuteronomy 6:1-3: Moses said that the teachings from God were to follow the Israelites into the Promised Land (v. 1). They were to fear the Lord their God so their sons and grandsons would have a long life (v. 2). Moses told them to listen and follow God’s commands carefully so they would prosper and multiply in the land of milk and honey.

Deuteronomy 4:40: “Keep His statutes and commands, which I am giving you today, so that you and your children after you may prosper and so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you for all time.”

Deuteronomy 18:5: “For Yahweh your God has chosen him and his sons from all your tribes to stand and minister in His name from now on.”

If the Israelites chose to do something outside the will of God, it could shorten their lives.

Deuteronomy 6:4-6: These verses are called the Shema and are directed to “the Lord Your God.” The Israelites were instructed to love the Lord their God with all their heart, soul, and strength. Jesus quoted this in Matthew 22:37 (also found in Mark 12 and Luke 10). Deuteronomy 11:1: “Therefore, love the Lord your God and always keep His mandate and His statutes, ordinances, and commands.” These were words to be kept in their hearts (Deuteronomy 11:18; Psalms 37:31; 40:8; Jeremiah 31:33).

Colossians 3:16: ““Let the message about the Messiah dwell richly among you, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, and singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude in your hearts to God.”

Most people don’t share the Word of God because they fear what they will say. If the Word of God is inside of us, the Holy Spirit will speak through you. We don’t have to worry about what we will say.

Deuteronomy 6:7-9: Moses instructed the Israelites to repeat these commands to their children and to talk about them when they sat in their houses, walked along the road, woke in the morning, and retired at night. Further, he told them to bind them on their hands and foreheads as a visual symbol of their obedience. These symbols are phylacteries, which are boxes that contain small scrolls of Scripture. They are worn while in prayer. Jews still wear these today.

Moses also told them to write the commands on the doorposts of their houses and gates in what is called a Mezuzah, a small vessel that was (and is) attached to the doorposts. Inside the Mezuzah is a small scroll with Deuteronomy 6:4-9, 11, 13, 21, and God’s name, Shaddai. Sadly, when the object becomes more important than what’s in the heart, the point of the Shema has been totally missed.

Deuteronomy 6:10-19: Moses reminded the people that when they walked the land God promised, they must not forget their God. They were to fear God and worship Him and not follow other gods for their God is a jealous God. They were not to test their God as they had at Massah and were to observe all the commands, decrees, and statutes He had given them. Therefore, the people were to do what is right and good in God’s sight so they could enter the land promised to their fathers and drive out their enemies.

Deuteronomy 6:20-25: Moses told the people that when their sons asked the meaning of the decrees, statutes, and ordinances, they were to tell them that they had been slaves in Egypt that had been brought out by God, after He had inflicted great signs and wonders on Pharaoh and his household. Also, they were to tell their sons that God had brought them to the land He had given their fathers and that He had commanded them to follow those statutes and to fear Him. Finally, Moses reminded them that righteousness would be theirs if they followed these commands. Nelson’s commentary put it this way: “Moses didn’t offer people a works-righteousness by keeping the law. Righteousness, the right relationship with God. God initiates this relationship, and His children respond to it as an expression of love.”2 (Romans 7:10; James 2:10; Romans 10:1-10; Galatians 3:11-13)

CLOSING

If you get anything out of this message, let it be that righteousness does not come before faith, but rather, faith leads to righteousness. Moses went over the instructions that God had given the Israelites to follow before going into the Promised Land. He told them to remember the Ten Commandments that God had given them and the covenants the Lord had made with them. In Deuteronomy 6, Moses instructed the Israelites to keep the Lord’s commands by writing them on their hearts. They were to remember that their God is a jealous God. They were to remind their children of what the Lord did for them in Egypt. Righteousness would be theirs if they followed the Lord’s commands.