Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9 (NRSV)
Read Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 4So now, Israel, give heed to the statutes and ordinances that I am teaching you to observe, so that you may live to enter and occupy the land that the Lord, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. Verse 2You must neither add anything to what I command you nor take away anything from it, but keep the commandments of the Lord your God with which I am charging you. Verse 6You must observe them diligently, for this will show your wisdom and discernment to the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, "Surely this great nation is a wise and discerning people!" Verse 7For what other great nation has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is whenever we call to him? Verse 8And what other great nation has statutes and ordinances as just as this entire law that I am setting before you today? Verse 9But take care and watch yourselves closely, so as neither to forget the things that your eyes have seen nor to let them slip from your mind all the days of your life; make them known to your children and your children's children-
Devotion
My five-year-old son, Daniel, thinks one of the commandments is: “You shall not wear shoes in the house.” If we have company over, he instantly becomes the shoe police and informs everyone entering that they need to remove their shoes … IMMEDIATELY. This rule has stuck with him. I would prefer “don’t fight with your sister” or “make your bed” but these haven’t captured his heart nearly as much.
“So now, Israel, give heed to the statutes and ordinances that I am teaching you to observe …” As the Israelites were charged long ago, we also have been charged to teach our children and our children’s children. We teach them, through our words, actions, love and respect and generosity. Most importantly, we are to demonstrate God’s love and mercy through our words and actions. May God’s commands dwell deeply within us and the in the hearts of generations to come.
Prayer
Today, Almighty God, may we feel deeply the love and grace behind the statutes and ordinances you have given us. May your teachings dwell in us, and through us, may they dwell in our children. Amen