Deuteronomy 6:6-9 And these words, which I command you this day, shall be in your heart:… I. THE WORDS CONCERNING WHICH THE COMMAND IS GIVEN, THEIR NATURE AND IMPORTANCE. 1. Their supernatural origin. 2. The extraordinary manner in which God has sanctioned them, in the signs and wonders performed by those who spoke or wrote the things declared in them. 3. The evident excellence and useful tendency of their contents, "to make us wise unto salvation." II. THE COMMAND GIVEN CONCERNING THESE THINGS. 1. We must not be indifferent, but deeply impressed with, and concerned about, these things; that is, about Divine revelation in general, its truth, its importance, its contents; and about that religion set forth in this passage, as above explained, consisting in the knowledge and love of God. 2. We must see that this is religion, and this alone; and that if we rest short of this, we rest short of religion. 3. We must be concerned to have proper views of, to experience, and to practise this religion. III. THE OBLIGATIONS WHICH LIE UPON US TO OBEY THIS COMMAND. 1. Gratitude; for this book lays us under great, yea, infinite obligations. Consider what would have been our condition had we not had the Bible — how ignorant, sinful, and miserable! 2. The express command of God, who gave us the Scriptures, lays us under an indispensable obligation: He is our Creator, Benefactor, Redeemer, Lawgiver, and Judge. He solemnly enjoins us to have these things in our hearts. 3. The example of our Lord Jesus Christ and His apostles, etc., who all made these things the subjects of their chief study and discourse from day to day. 4. Compassion for and love to our children — mortal and immortal beings; to whom, under God, we have given being, and who are committed to our care by Him, the great proprietor and governor of all, who says, "All souls are Mine." 5. Our own interest should influence us; and that for time and for eternity. For if we have not God's Word in general, and the knowledge and love of God in particular, in our own hearts, we shall be miserable here, and perish everlastingly hereafter. And if we do not inculcate these things on our children and dependants, and those on whom we might inculcate them, and they perish, God will require "their blood," their souls, at our hands. (J. Benson.) Parallel Verses KJV: And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:WEB: These words, which I command you this day, shall be on your heart; |
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