The great command to love the Lord with all heart, soul, and strength establishes Israel's covenant response to God's exclusive claims. These words must be impressed on children, discussed constantly, bound on hand and forehead, and written on doorposts. Moses warns against forgetting God in prosperity, against testing Him as at Massah, and commands explaining the ordinances to future generations as redemption response.
Read Deuteronomy Chapter 6 Summary
Original
Characters in This Chapter
Moses
Faithful servant of God who delivers his final addresses to Israel before his death
Joshua
Successor to Moses, commissioned to lead Israel into the Promised Land
Abraham
Father of Many Nations
Isaac
Son of Abraham
Jacob
Father of the Twelve Tribes of Israel
Pharaoh (of Exodus)
Ruler of Egypt during the Exodus
Places in This Chapter
Mount Sinai
View on MapMount Sinai (Horeb), where God gave the law, referenced throughout Moses' addresses
Egypt
View on MapEgypt plays a significant role throughout the Bible, from the time of Abraham to the flight of the Holy Family. Joseph was sold into slavery there and rose to become second to Pharaoh, saving his family during famine. The Israelites were enslaved in Egypt for 400 years before God delivered them through Moses in the Exodus. Jesus' family fled to Egypt to escape King Herod, fulfilling the prophecy "Out of Egypt I called my son."
Position in Book
First Address: Historical ReviewChapters 1-4
Second Address: The Law RestatedChapters 5-26
The Ten Commandments repeated, the Shema given, laws for worship, leadership, social justice, and covenant life in the land.
Third Address: Covenant RenewalChapters 27-30
Final EventsChapters 31-34