Deuteronomy 6:1 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,
Rules can be incredibly important. They give structure and boundaries. They give safety. But rules should not be the master, followed no matter the cost, no matter the circumstances. They should be more helpful guidelines than unbending bulwarks.
Deuteronomy 6:2 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.
Moses states that the Lord directed him to teach the Israelites these rules so that they and their descendants could fear the Lord by keeping His decrees and commands, so that no matter how far they go, they will remember what’s important. The rules were never meant to be the end-all-be-all. Loving God is always the ultimate goal.
Deuteronomy 6:3 Hear, 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 ancestors, promised you.
Precious Savior, Sometimes I love rules. They make me feel safe; they give a sense of security and order. But sometimes rules feel incredibly restrictive and sometimes they feel like the ultimate point, following rules just to say we followed them. YOU are the point. Always. Help me to never forget that all Your rules, commandments, guidelines are to help me draw closer to You. Amen.
Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Have a blessed day.