Teaching Kids: Isn't that the church's job? Part the Second

(Note: The intent of this short series is not to be exhaustive, but to give us somewhat of a "bird's eye view" as to whom is responsible to see to the Christian Education of your children. It is not meant to undermine parents or the Church. It is not meant to be condemning, but, for some, quite possibly could be. Remember, the Law, as much as it may be uncomfortable and hurt, must be preached in full sternness that we may receive the Gospel in its full sweetness.)

Deuteronomy 11

First Focus Verses:  Deuteronomy 11:18-21

Again Moses reiterates that they people are to fix (set or establish) God’s words on their hearts and minds and to teach (“lamad” in Hebrew. “to diligently train…instruct”) them at all times and places (v. 19 “…talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.). They are to keep the word visible on their persons and their households. In other words, there lives were to be a living testimony of the Lord.  With compliance of this condition God would bless them and their children for eternity. “The sense is: ‘Keep the covenant faithfully, and so shall your own and your children’s days be multiplied as long as the heaven covers the earth.’ The promise of Canaan to Israel was thus a perpetual promise, but also a conditional one.” “The words, “as the days of the heaven above the earth,” i.e., as long as the heaven continues above the earth, - in other words, to all eternity”

Second Focus Verses: Deuteronomy 11:1-2 ff

The nation of Israel is instructed to love the Lord their God and to keep everything He had commanded them always. Then Moses says in verse 2 "And consider today (since I am not speaking to your children who have not known or seen it)..." In other words, pay attention, listen, this is important. Remember what that Lord has done and what you have seen Him do. This is important because their children had not witnessed these mighty works of the Lord. It's not just for their sake that they do this, it's for the sake of their children as well so that they might know just how mighty and awesome God is, as well as how terrible His wrath is ( vs. 16-17) that they would continue to follow Him.

Summary and Conclusion for "Part the Second": For the sake of themselves, as well as their children, the Israelites are told to remember all that the Lord has done and to keep His commandments. They are to know them well and to take teachable moments as they come to instruct their children the things that they witnessed and have been commanded. Here, in this case, it is the instructed responsibility of the parents to see to their children's Christian Education.

ESV Study Bible. Wheaton, IL : Crossway Bibles, 2008
e-Sword
Keil and Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
TLSB. St. Louis, MO : Concordia Publishing House, 2009
Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary

Jesu Juva,

Soli Deo Gloria