God is Intentional

God Himself was intentional in communicating the heritage He desired for His people. In Deuteronomy He spoke through his leader, Moses.

"These are the commands, decrees and laws the Lord your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. Hear, O Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your fathers, promised you. Hear, O Israel: The Lord your God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." (Deut. 6:1-5)

Moses relays God's message to the people. And notice that first verse above. This message is not just for those of the generation listening but for the children and the children after them. God reminds them that He was the God of their ancestors, and He wants to continue to be their one and only God. Then He wants them to make sure that their children and grandchildren understand this.

This section of the scripture tends to focus upon how the individual will keep God at the center. There are instructions to keep the commands and obey what the Lord has instructed. Also it is reiterated that God is the only God. And in knowing this they should love the Lord with all of their being.

Promises appear here between the lines. God tells them if they will follow His commands and love Him, keeping only Him as their God, He will grant a long life and enjoyment in a fertile land of His providing.

Though this passage is taken from the Old Testament and is directed to the nation of Israel, I believe God still holds to this philosophy. He still desires that we obey Him and worship only Him. And He still wants us to instruct our children and their children in His ways. We should love Him with everything we are and show the next generation how to do the same.

Tomorrow we'll finish this passage in which God gives specific ways to transmit this important spiritual heritage to the next generations.

Did anything stand out to you? Please share.