Reading

• Deut. 4:44-49; 5:1-5a, 22-33; 6:1-25; 7:1-26; 8:1-20

Devotional 

In giving his second speech to the Israelites, Moses said:

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.
(Deut. 6:6-9)

GOD has given parents, and especially fathers, the responsibility to teach their children. In today’s text, Moses commanded the Israelites many things, many of which we as parents need to teach diligently to our children today. Moses said to the Israelites:

• Be careful to do what the LORD has commanded…do not turn aside to the right or to the left.
• Walk in all the way that the LORD has commanded…so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.
• Love the LORD with all your heart, soul and strength.
• Place these commands I give you today upon your hearts.
• Teach these commands to your children. Talk about them frequently, and everywhere you go. Write them on your doorframes and gates.
• Be careful that, once you receive the blessed promises of GOD, you do not forget the LORD, who brought you out of Egypt.
• Do not test GOD as you did at Massah (where they complained about not having water).
• Fear the LORD, that you may prosper and be kept alive.
• Destroy the inhabitants of the land; make no treaty with them nor pity them.
• Know that the LORD is GOD and that He is faithful and keeps His covenant to those who love Him and keep His commands. But those who hate Him will be destroyed swiftly.

GOD said:

“When your son asks you in time to come, saying, ‘What is the meaning of the testimonies, the statutes, and the judgments which the LORD our God has commanded you?’ then you shall say to your son: ‘We were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt, and the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand; and the LORD showed signs and wonders before our eyes, great and severe, against Egypt, Pharaoh, and all his household. Then He brought us out from there, that He might bring us in, to give us the land of which He swore to our fathers. And the LORD commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that He might preserve us alive, as it is this day. Then it will be righteousness for us, if we are careful to observe all these commandments before the LORD our God, as He has commanded us.’”
(Deut. 6:20-25)

If our children are going to know GOD, it is up to their parents to teach them—not the church, not the school, not the government—parents! Be diligent and help your children grow in their relationship with GOD.