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After 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, Israel is poised to enter the Promised Land. But before they can prosper in the "land flowing with mild and honey," Moses reminds them that they must love God wholeheartedly and obey his commands. In today's study passage, we see a clear connection between a deep love for God and obedience to him. The same principle remains true today: "If you love me," Jesus says in John 14:15, "obey my commands."

Deuteronomy 6

1. Israel's economic prosperity was tied to obedience (v. 3). What kinds of "riches" are promised to those who obey Christ? (See Rom. 8:17, 23, 29-30; Col. 1:12-14.)
   
2. Practically speaking, how are Christians called to live out verses 4 and 5?
   
3. What does it really mean to "fear the LORD your God" (v. 13)? (See Heb. 12:28-29; Ps. 33:8-22, 118:4; Prov. 23:17.)
   
4. What "gods" (v. 14) are Christian men in our culture most tempted to worship?
   
5. How are Christians "counted as righteous" (v. 25)? (See Rom. 4:1-5.)
   
6. Since we aren't saved by our good deeds, why do them? (See James 1:22-25, 2:14-26.)

Confess ways in the past week you've failed to put God first; ask him to help you demonstrate your faith and love for him through both your thoughts and actions.

Deuteronomy 6

"These are the commands, decrees, and regulations that the Lord your God commanded me to teach you. You must obey them in the land you are about to enter and occupy, 2 and you and your children and grandchildren must fear the Lord your God as long as you live. If you obey all his decrees and commands, you will enjoy a long life. 3 Listen closely, Israel, and be careful to obey. Then all will go well with you, and you will have many children in the land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, promised you.

4 "Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. 5 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. 6 And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. 7 Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. 8 Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. 9 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

10 "The Lord your God will soon bring you into the land he swore to give you when he made a vow to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It is a land with large, prosperous cities that you did not build. 11 The houses will be richly stocked with goods you did not produce. You will draw water from cisterns you did not dig, and you will eat from vineyards and olive trees you did not plant. When you have eaten your fill in this land, 12 be careful not to forget the Lord, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt. 13 You must fear the Lord your God and serve him. When you take an oath, you must use only his name.

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Prayer for the Week

Lord, it's easy to say I follow you; it's much harder to show it by the way I live; help me, with your empowering Spirit, to choose daily to live in obedience to your calling.

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