Deu 6:1-3 | Clarke | STEP | The great design of God in giving his laws is, that the people may fear and obey him, that they may continue in peace and prosperity, and be mightily increased, . The great commandment of the law, , , which shall be laid up in their hearts, ; taught to their children, ; and affixed as a sign to their hands, heads, doors, and gates, , . How they are to act when they shall come into the promised land, . How they shall instruct their children, and relate the history to them of God's wonderful acts, . Verse 1 Now these are the commandments, etc. - See the difference between commandments, statutes, judgments, etc., pointed out, (note). Do them - That is, live in the continual practice of them; for by this they were to be distinguished from all the nations of the world, and all these were to be in force till the Son of God should come. Whither ye go. עברים oberim, whither ye pass over, referring to the river Jordan, across which they must pass to get into Canaan.

‏ Deuteronomy 6:1-3

Introduction

The great design of God in giving his laws is, that the people may fear and obey him, that they may continue in peace and prosperity, and be mightily increased, Deu 6:1-3. The great commandment of the law, Deu 6:4, Deu 6:5, which shall be laid up in their hearts, Deu 6:6; taught to their children, Deu 6:7; and affixed as a sign to their hands, heads, doors, and gates, Deu 6:8, Deu 6:9. How they are to act when they shall come into the promised land, Deu 6:10-19. How they shall instruct their children, and relate the history to them of God's wonderful acts, Deu 6:20-25.

Verse 1

Now these are the commandments, etc. - See the difference between commandments, statutes, judgments, etc., pointed out, Lev 26:15 (note).

Do them - That is, live in the continual practice of them; for by this they were to be distinguished from all the nations of the world, and all these were to be in force till the Son of God should come. Whither ye go. עברים oberim, whither ye pass over, referring to the river Jordan, across which they must pass to get into Canaan. Verse 2

That thou mightest fear the Lord - Respect his sovereign authority as a lawgiver, and ever feel thyself bound to obey him. No man can walk either conscientiously or safely who has not the fear of God continually before his eyes. When this is gone, more than a guardian angel is fled.

Thou, and thy son, and thy son's son - Through all thy successive generations. Whoever fears God will endeavor to bring up his children in the way of righteousness, that they also may fear God, and that pure and undefiled religion may be preserved in his family through all its generations, not only in word, but in practice also. Verse 3

Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it - Literally, Ye shall hear, O Israel, and thou shalt keep to do them.

1. God is to be heard; no obligation without law to found it on, and no law in religion but from God.

2. The commandment must be understood in order to be obeyed.

3. It must be observed - attentively considered, in order to be understood. And,

4. It must be performed, that the end for which it was given may be accomplished, viz., that God may be glorified, and that it may be well with the people.

What is here spoken applies powerfully to every part of the moral law; God has given it as a rule of life, therefore obedience to it is indispensably necessary, not to the purchase of salvation, for no human merit can ever extend to that, but it is the way by which both the justice and mercy of God choose to conduct men to heaven. But let it be fully understood that no man can walk in the way of obedience but by and under the influence of the grace of God.