09/09/2015 TEACH THE CHILDREN
Deuteronomy 6:4-7 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our GOD is one LORD: And thou shall love the LORD thy GOD with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. [ King James translation]
Scripture Discussed
Many people believe that the secular education of their children is the sole responsibility of the nation’s school system. If they are Christians, some believe that the religious education of their children can be assigned to their church Sunday School. However, the book of Deuteronomy makes it clear that the education of children must also occur in the home.
Deuteronomy 6:4 is called the “Shema,” a Hebrew word which translated means “Hear,” the word that begins the verse. It is as if the speaker emphatically tells its audience to “LISTEN UP!” because what is about to follow is really important. What follows is what some consider the “heart” of Judaism and the basic principles of the religious faith. First, the scripture tells the hearer, GOD is one. Deuteronomy then commands that we should love GOD with all our heart, all our soul and all our might. Second, Deuteronomy states that we should teach the children. Teach them when you are just sitting around talking with the children at home, when the children wake up, when the children lie down and in generally when you are just out and about walking with them every day. Deuteronomy states that education of the nation of Israel’s children should not to be delegated to a school or to a church but that children should be “home schooled.” Teaching a child about GOD is as vital as eating and sleeping. It is simply fundamental. It is necessary for healthy living. It is necessary for survival---the survival of one generation to the next.