Topical Bible: The Law of Moses: All Israelites Required: To Teach Their Children

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Topical Encyclopedia

The Law of Moses, as given in the Torah, places significant emphasis on the responsibility of Israelite parents to educate their children in the ways of the Lord. This mandate is rooted in the covenantal relationship between God and His people, where the transmission of faith and obedience to God's commandments is essential for the continuity of the covenant community.

Biblical Foundation

The directive for parents to teach their children is explicitly stated in several passages within the Pentateuch. One of the most prominent is found in the Shema, a central declaration of faith in Deuteronomy 6:4-7 : "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

This passage underscores the importance of integrating the commandments into daily life and ensuring that children are continually exposed to the teachings of the Lord. The use of the word "diligently" indicates that this is not a casual or occasional task but a persistent and intentional effort.

Purpose and Significance

The requirement to teach children serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it ensures that each generation understands and adheres to the covenantal laws, thereby maintaining the community's identity as God's chosen people. Secondly, it instills a deep, personal relationship with God, as children learn to love and serve Him with all their heart, soul, and strength.

In Deuteronomy 11:18-19 , the command is reiterated with an emphasis on the internalization of God's words: "Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as reminders on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, speaking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

Methodology of Instruction

The method of instruction is both formal and informal, encompassing structured teaching and spontaneous conversation. The integration of God's commandments into everyday life ensures that children see the relevance and application of their faith in all circumstances. This holistic approach to education is designed to create a seamless connection between belief and practice.

Historical Context

In the ancient Near Eastern context, the family was the primary unit of education. The responsibility of teaching fell predominantly on the parents, particularly the father, who was seen as the spiritual leader of the household. This patriarchal structure was instrumental in preserving the religious and cultural heritage of Israel.

Consequences of Neglect

The failure to teach children the ways of the Lord is portrayed in Scripture as having dire consequences. Judges 2:10 provides a sobering example: "After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation rose up who did not know the LORD or the works that He had done for Israel." This lack of knowledge led to a cycle of disobedience and idolatry, highlighting the critical nature of this command.

Conclusion

The Law of Moses clearly mandates that the teaching of children is a vital component of Israelite life, ensuring the perpetuation of faith and obedience to God across generations. This command reflects the importance of family as the foundational institution for spiritual education and the transmission of covenantal values.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 6:7
And you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 11:19
And you shall teach them your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Woman of Samaria
... keeping Moses' law, ended by crucifying him who made Abraham, and Moses, and his
law, and them ... All Christ asks of you is, to receive him when he comes to ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xxvi the woman of.htm

Formation and History of the Hebrew Canon.
... All the scriptural notices of Ezra attest both his zeal and his ability ... reestablishment
of the Theocracy on its old foundation, the law of Moses, with the ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xv formation and history.htm

The Book of Jubilees
... the division of the days, according to the law and the ... All these numbers differ from
those in the Hebrew and ... The arrangement of the years of Moses' life is not ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the book of jubilees.htm

The Foundations of Good Citizenship.
... people of its day; but inasmuch as the prophets and law-givers from the days of
Moses to those ... are most of them universal and applicable to all tribes and ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study x the foundations of.htm

Subjects of Study. Home Education in Israel; Female Education. ...
... no question that, according to the law of Moses, the early ... Out of Zion shall go forth
the law.' But even ... be appointed, who should take charge of all boys from ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 8 subjects of study.htm

Article xv (viii): of Human Traditions in the Church.
... the Gospel says that the ceremonies of Moses, which were ... judged as necessary (just
as in the Law ceremonies were ... For of all acts that is the greatest most holy ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/part 20 article xv viii .htm

The Doctrine of the Apostolic Church
... "Beginning at Moses and all ... sin appears "exceedingly sinful," and the divine law
has been ... the promises by both contriving and carrying out all the arrangements ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter ii the doctrine of.htm

The Law Given, not to Retain a People for Itself, but to Keep ...
... is comprehended under the dispensation of Moses; whence it ... sacrifices, yet Isaiah
promises, that all their sins would ... is the end of the law for righteousness ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 7 the law given.htm

Twelfth Sunday after Trinity Gospel Transcends Law.
... it may be contended, are implanted by God in reason itself, and all books teach ... What
Paul means is this: When the Jews vaunt their Law of Moses, which was ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/twelfth sunday after trinity gospel.htm

Stedfastness in the Old Paths.
... of John the Baptist, still gives this charge, "Remember ye the law of Moses, My
servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon xviii stedfastness in the.htm