Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them upon your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes or your houses and on your gates. (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)
I don't think it's any surprise that what immediately follows the Shema--in the same paragraph even--has to do with parenting. Somehow the idea of hearing with the intention to obey just naturally brings to mind children.
I'm sure I'm not the only parent who's ever thought, "No one is listening to me!" And what I usually mean when I say that is that no one is doing what I tell them to do. Can you relate?
Presumably, it talks about children here because what it has to say about teaching our kids is what will make them "hearing" people. So, what does it say?
1. It says we are to "impress" these commandments upon our children.
The King James Version uses the phrase "teach them diligently." Not just once in a while, not just by dropping them off at Sunday school, but by being diligent.
The Hebrew word for this phrase is "shanan" and it means to sharpen, whet; to pierce; to teach incisively. And it immediately reminds me that the Word of God is called the sword of the Spirit. I pray that in disciplining (both good and bad!) the girls, God will bring to mind Scripture to back me up. That Audrey and Emma will always know that this isn't just my opinion about how they should act, but God's plan for them.
I pray too that talking about God and his ways and his commandments will whet their appetite for more. That Scripture will sharpen their minds and make them wise. That it will convict them. That they will turn to God and his Word for help now--and not think it's just for when they grow up.
2. It says we are to "talk" about these commandments--everywhere we go. When we sit at home, when we walk along the road, when we lie down, and when we get up.
It doesn't mean that we just spout Scripture at them until they're too tired to talk back. Here's what the word "talk" means: to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing.
It means that God's Word is part of every conversation--when we declare the truth, when we talk about their day at school, when we lay down the law, when we warn them about what's ahead on the the path their behavior is leading, when we sing around the house.
One of the lexicons I read said this about what it means to "talk" with our children: "To lead, guide--especially flocks to pasture; to rule, to direct a people, to bring into order, to subdue."
In 2 Timothy 3:16, we're told the God's Word is useful for teaching, that it thoroughly equips us for every good work. As we parent our children (a "good work" indeed!), as we live as families, God's Word is an effective tool for teaching our children to hear--to listen and obey--us and their heavenly Father.
3. But first it says that these commandments are to be upon our hearts. As parents, we have to take God's Word to heart, to listen to it, to obey it first. Then we impress it upon our children.
But here's the cool thing--we can start with both at once. Because to teach our children the Word is doing what God tells us to do as parents, it is taking God's Word to heart. And he can accomplish both in us at the same time. So we don't have to wait--to think that we must memorize most of the Bible before we begin.
Impressing God's Word on our kids and talking about it with them wherever we are--both of these are presented as imperative commands. Something we are to do--now. And something we are to do diligently.
I so needed this reminder from God...
Good word Joanne. I'm reminded that our children don't belong to us, they belong to the Lord. What great gifts He has entrusted to us.
Have a good day!
Sara
Posted by: Sara | May 14, 2008 at 06:42 AM
Good stuff, Joanne! I love that this in Duet. 6 is the answer Jesus gave to the question, what is the greatest commandment? Good to hear again, and again... and again... :)
Posted by: Amanda | May 14, 2008 at 10:33 AM
This passage SO speaks to me, Joanne. Have ever since I first heard them recited on one of Beth's studies...Daniel I think it is.
I go through periods where I meditate on this passage before I begin my bible study/quiet time. It seems to...ground me, maybe?
Posted by: Susan | May 14, 2008 at 01:49 PM
Hi friend! Will you please pray for us in dealing with Kylie this evening? We have some heart issues that have gone the wrong direction. We need wisdom right now.
Love you!
holly
Posted by: Holly Smith | May 14, 2008 at 03:53 PM
Excellent, excellent post...full of wisdom. Thank you for sharing that advice. I am blessed whenever I visit here.
Posted by: Becoming Me | May 14, 2008 at 05:10 PM
How'd you get so wise?
Ahhh....Spiritual Gifts! A Gift to all of us.
xo - Janine
Posted by: Janine | May 14, 2008 at 07:58 PM
I feel like this passage has been the proverbial 2X4 this year! At my mom's group, we have been going through a book, and this is the main passage. Then I heard a sermon on the topic. Then I will hear it on the radio. Also, in my mom's group, we had wise women from our church come and speak on the chapter of the week. It NEVER failed to come back to MY relationship with the Lord, no matter what the topic was.
Ok, Lord, I think I'm getting it!!
Posted by: beth | May 14, 2008 at 08:20 PM