Some Thoughts on the Immediate Context of Deuteronomy 6:4-9

a few reflections on this passage... how I need these reminders from God's Word constantly!

4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: 5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. 9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates. (Deuteronomy 6:4-9, KJV)

This passage instructed Israel
-to pay close attention to the truth that Jehovah (YHWH) is One (4).
-that they were to love Him with all that was within them (5).
-that they were to have these words in their hearts (6).
-that they were to diligently teach them to their children, with regular conversations and reminders (7-9).

The surrounding verses in the chapter reveal that
-these commands were given that they might obey them when they went to possess the land (1)
-they may fear God and keep His commands - they and their children and grandchildren
- and have their days prolonged (2-3)
- they could easily forget God their Savior amidst all His blessings if they did not do what is instructed in 6:4-9 (10-13)
- they could easily become idolaters if they do not do what is instructed in 6:4-9 (14)
- they could incur the wrath of God if they do not do what is instructed in 6:4-9 (15)
- their diligent observance of God's commands would result in it being well with them, in possessing the land He gave, and in the overthrow of their enemies, as God had spoken (17-19)
- their diligent observance of these commands would naturally lead to opportunities to testify of God's glory to future generations (20-23)
- for their good, their preservation, and their righteousness (24-25)

The relevance for us is that
- just as Israel failed to heed these commands, did fall back into idolatry and was eventually banished from the land for their disobedience, we too have failed.
- none of us has loved God completely - with our whole heart, mind, soul, and might; we have not treasured His Word as we ought
- Jesus, God the Son, who humbled Himself to become a man, taught and obeyed these things perfectly. He always pleased the Father, and took the punishment for sinners on the cross, so that we might have His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21)
- just as Israel received these instructions upon being delivered from bondage in Egypt, Christians receive God's instructions on how to live after experiencing His salvation; keeping commands does not reconcile one to God - repenting of sin and trusting in Christ alone for salvation does that - yet, He lets His children know how they need to live to please Him
- keeping God's commands flows out of our love for Him, as a response to His character and works. Truly keeping God's commands cannot be done merely as a duty, and certainly not as a scheme to merit His blessings.
- the command to teach our children has not been rescinded (Ephesians 6:4). Fathers particularly bear the responsibility to be sure that their children are taught and trained up in the Word of God.
- the instruction of our children should include frequent conversations at all times of day and phases of life. (Regular family worship should be an important part of this too.)
- like Israel, we too are prone to forget God and lapse into worshiping things other than Him (1 Corinthians 10:1-14).
- the only way for Christians to truly advance in sanctification and achieve any measure of victory over sin is to keep our focus on loving God supremely and diligently obeying and teaching His commands with the help of His indwelling Spirit.

Book Review-Give Praise to God

Philip Graham Ryken, Derek W. H. Thomas, and J. Ligon Duncan III, eds., Give Praise to God: a Vision for Reforming Worship (Phillipsburg, New Jersey: P&R, 2003), 516pp. Indices: Scripture, and Subject and Names.

reviewed by Doug Smith

Give Praise to God celebrates the legacy of James Montgomery Boice, late pastor of Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. While not a book about Boice, this book honors his commitment to the glory of God by considering various dimensions of worship. The editors present a foreword, introduction, eighteen chapters, and an afterword from eighteen respected church leaders primarily from Presbyterian and Baptist backgrounds. In addition to the editors themselves, R. C. Sproul, Edmund P. Clowney, R. Albert Mohler Jr., Mark Dever, Terry L. Johnson, D. Marion Clark, Richard D. Phillips, Paul S. Jones, Donald S. Whitney, William Edgar, W. Robert Godfrey, Nick R. Needham, Hughes Oliphant Old, and Michael S. Horton contribute to this tome. Most chapters are so helpful as to deserve their own review, but space will only permit a brief survey in comparison to what this work deserves.

This book is the fruit of much research, experience, and zeal to help Christians think more biblically about how we are to worship God. It is divided into four sections.

Part one, "The Bible and Worship," begins with a helpful consideration by Ligon Duncan of what God says about how we ought to worship. Derek Thomas defends the regulative principle of worship, concluding that it frees us from the whims of men to worship God according to the Bible. Edmund Clowney writes on "Corporate Worship As a Means of Grace," but seems to skate over the surface and not really explore exactly what he means by "means of grace."

Part two covers the "Elements of Biblical Worship" in detail. Al Mohler makes a compelling case for expository preaching and Mark Dever shows how it ought to proclaim the Gospel, no matter what text the preacher is covering. Duncan and Terry Johnson urge the public reading and praying of the Bible, something that many "Bible-believing" Christians have sadly neglected. Marion Clark's chapter on the meaning and practice of baptism is helpful and thought-provoking even to those of us who reject infant baptism. Richard Phillips thinks deeply about the Lord's Supper and the practical considerations that attend it. Paul Jones persuasively defends the use of "hymnody in a post-hymnody world," while Terry Johnson invites us to the riches of Psalm-singing, arguing for inclusive psalmody (as opposed to exclusive psalmody, which permits no hymns of human composition).

Part three focuses on "Preparing for Biblical Worship." Don Whitney calls us to worship God daily in private, while Duncan and Johnson cry for a return to family worship, both chapters providing practical suggestions for including Scripture, prayer, and song in those times. William Edgar reminds us that we are to renew our minds in order to worship God in all of life. Robert Godfrey looks at the role of the emotions in worship, briefly critiquing Jonathan Edwards while upholding the legitimacy and necessity of emotions that issue from faith in Christ.

"Worship, History, and Culture" is the fourth and final part of the book. Nick Needham gives a very helpful and fascinating overview of "Worship Through the Ages" that covers a wide spectrum of time periods and church traditions. Hughes Oliphant Old explores "Calvin's Theology of Worship." Michael Horton proposes that the answer to the "Challenges and Opportunities for Ministry Today" is a countercultural faithfulness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is so contrary and offensive to this present evil age.

This book is a refreshing and relevant contribution to the literature of the church and worship. It is refreshing and relevant for the same reason: it prescribes faithfulness to the Bible, not a desire to cater to the whims of culture and marketing gurus, as the driving force in defining our philosophy and practices. It reminds us that worship is centered on God, not man, and that this God has spoken and made matters very clear about how He is and is not to be worshiped. Expositional preaching, substantive Scripture readings and prayers, biblically based songs, and obedient observance of baptism and the Lord's Supper should characterize our local churches. We should be regularly engaged in worshiping God as individuals and families. We need to apply His Word to all of life, loving Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Attention to the issues discussed in this book should deepen our sense of awe and wonder at the majesty of God. It serves to instruct our minds with truth so glorious that reverence, joy, and praise should be the inevitable results.

This book certainly belongs in the hands of church leaders, particularly pastors and music ministers. Church members would also profit from considering the material in many of these chapters, because this book calls us all to think rightly about how we approach and interact with God. It reminds to look to God's Word for instruction on worshiping Him, helping us to avoid the idolatry we are so prone to. A welcome antidote to the man-centered, market-driven ideas that masquerade as wisdom on worship, this book shows us why and how we should Give Praise to God.

This review has been submitted to www.discerningreader.com. RELATED RESOURCES: Robert G. Spinney wrote a booklet (free .pdf) to "highlight the key points" of Give Praise to God: “Looking for God in All the Wrong Places: an Appeal for Word-Based Corporate Worship.” Hartsville, TN: Tulip Books, 2006. An adaptation of the chapter by Ligon Duncan and Terry Johnson, "A Call to Family Worship" (free .pdf download accessible from the link) A lesson from Don Whitney: "How to Pray Through Scripture"

Six Resources Helpful in Catechizing a 3-Year Old

 

My wife and I are attempting to instruct our children in spiritual matters, although they are both very young (our oldest is three).  We are convinced that family worship is a large part of this responsibility.  Yes, it's tricky with young children.  Some times are easier than others.  We have to contend with "the wiggles."  But we must be patient and persevere.  I have been encouraged in this undertaking by several resources and wanted to point you to some of them.

 

First, the foundational and essential resource is the Bible, because this is where we learn about God, man, Christ, and salvation by faith in Him.  Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and Ephesians 6:4 taught me, even before I was married and became a father, that I was responsible to see that my children be trained up in the instruction of the Lord.

 

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:  And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.  And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:  And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.  And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.   And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates. 

 

(Deuteronomy 6:4-9)

 

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath:

but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

 

(Ephesians 6:4)

 

Second, I must recognize Dr. Don Whitney's booklet, Family Worship: in the Bible, in History and in Your Home.  This booklet showed me the importance of family worship.  The CD has also been helpful (as well as taking a class from Dr. Whitney in which he covered this subject).  This book motivated me by reminding me of the importance of family worship, biblically and historically.  Dr. Whitney's simple approach is very practical:  Read the Bible, pray and sing.  Add Scripture memory, catechizing and reading other books if you have the time.  And it need not be a lengthy time, but it must be regular and consistent.  For a brief synopsis, see this bulletin insert at his website, www.BiblicalSpirituality.org.  Dr. Whitney's point is this:  God deserves to be worshiped daily in our homes by our families. 

 

Third, Bev & Jerry Priest's ABC Memory Verse Program (KJV) goes through the alphabet twice, highlighting key words in each verse (for example, for "E," the book gives John 17:3: "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent").  The first set of verses is "salvation verses" and the second set is "growth verses."  The book is available at the link above or by emailing Dr. Jerry Priest at gpriest@dbts.edu.  Our oldest child recognizes each letter and knows the key words; we hope to get the verses in the head too in the near future (we have been able to teach a couple).

 

Fourth, The Child's Story Bible by Catherine F. Vos is a helpful summary of the Scriptures for a child.  Much of the Bible is paraphrased; direct quotations are from the KJV.  From creation to the cross to the church to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in glory, this resource examines the range of salvation history.  It is broken down into 110 chapters for the Old Testament (with shorter sections in some chapters that make good bite-size chunks for reading) and 92 chapters for the New Testament.  There are also some color illustrations.

 

Fifth, the Truth and Grace (TAG) Memory Books edited by Dr. Tom Ascol are another valuable resource.  The strength of these books is that they give parents a plan of instruction in catechism questions, hymns and Scripture memory verses for ages two through high school.  The catechism questions are based on "A Catechism for Boys and Girls."  Our oldest child knows the first four catechism questions and answers and is on the second Scripture memory verse, but sometimes has an interesting take on things.  One time she recited:  "In the beginning God created . . . bananas!" 

 

Sixth, Judy Rogers' CD, Teach Me While My Heart Is Tender, as far as we can tell, has caused more theological truth to stick to the minds of our children than anything else.  Our oldest child goes around the house singing the songs, many of which are based on a catechism similar to the one used in the Truth and Grace Memory Books mentioned above.  Several of the songs are also based directly on Scripture.  These songs are fun and catchy and present good theology.  This CD is a 30-song collection of selections from Judy's albums, "Why Can't I See God?," "Go to the Ant," "Walkin' Wise" and "Stand Up!"

 

I hope this list is helpful to you, but more than getting any particular book or help is the fact of actually teaching your family about the Lord.  Whatever resources you may use, if you have a family, God has called you to say with Joshua, no matter what others around you may do or fail to do (including other Christians), "As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" (Joshua 24:15).

Don Whitney has released an audio CD to go along with his book on Family Worship:  visit http://www.biblicalspirituality.org/fworder1.html#CD for more information.

FAMILY WORSHIP TIME

And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. (Deuteronomy 6:6-7)

For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him. (Genesis 18:19)

A pastor and friend of mine recently suggested that I read Donald S. Whitney's book, Spiritual Disciplines of the Christian Life (Colorado Springs, Colorado: NavPress, 1991). God is using this work to challenge and enrich my devotional life, particularly in regard to Bible intake and prayer.

Whitney, who teaches Biblical Spirituality at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky ( www.sbts.edu) has also written a very helpful 32-page booklet (including study/discussion guide) entitled Family Worship: in the Bible, in History, & in Your Home. As the title suggests, the author presents the Scriptures relevant to family worship and shows us its importance in church history. Then he tells us how we can implement family worship in our own homes, answering objections (such as single parent homes, variety of ages of children, homes where dad is not a believer, etc.), and pressing upon us the urgency of the delightful duty of family worship.

So, what is family worship? According to Whitney, all you need to do is 3 things: read, pray, and sing. You could read a chapter of the Bible, spend time in prayer, and praise God with song. The time need not be long, but it should be regular. It need not be burdensome, and can often be incorporated into a family meal time. If time permits, you could also use a catechism (question & answers to help children learn the teaching of the Bible), memorize Scripture, and read other good Christian books. Family worship is a great way to emphasize the priority of God in your home.

Now, if you think my little blog entry here is "preachy," let me be very open with you and admit my own struggles for consistency in this area. I have two small children and a somewhat busy life with the different responsibilities I juggle. But that does not excuse me. I am accountable to God for the training of my children and for the spiritual aroma of my home. I am beginning to implement these principles of family worship, and, with the help of God, desire to establish this as a distinctive part of my family life for all my days.

I know I am not alone in this struggle. I recall hearing of a visiting preacher who asked a church how many had family worship regularly at their home. No one said they did. Is this not a sad commentary? Should this not be a joyful, daily part of the lives of the people of God? I strongly urge you to consider yourself in this matter. Do you have family worship? If not, why not? Will you start now? Whitney's book should be a help to you as you begin or reexamine your family worship.

You may order the book from Cumberland Valley Bible Book Service at www.cvbbs.com & The Center for Biblical Spirituality at www.biblicalspirituality.org/fworder1.html or email info@BiblicalSpirituality.org . (If you are a pastor, you may be interested to know that the Center for Biblical Spirituality offers discounts for multiple copies.) Another helpful article by the same author is "Simplifying Family Worship," available at www.biblicalspirituality.org/fworship.html.

For the glory of God and the sake of your family, take Whitney's advice: begin family worship today.