"Teach Them to Your Children"

(Today's reading - Deut. 9: 1- 11:32)

Moses continues his address to his fellow Israelites. He reminds them that victory is guaranteed, but that victory is not because of their righteousness. They are reminded of their rebellious nature demonstrated through the making of the golden calf, their unfaithfulness in trusting the LORD for victory and other incidences along the way. God will give them the land, not because of their goodness, but because of His goodness. (important note)
Moses tells them that all Gods' blessings are conditional and that their unfaithfulness will lead to disaster and the loss of the land that God has given them. (Deut. 11: 13-17) We see this very thing happen later, but that is for another day. To prevent this from occurring, Moses instructs them to "Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." (Deut 11:18,19)
It is Gods' word that will protect the Israelites from unfaithfulness. His word placed in their hearts and minds would keep them strong and ensure they would continue to receive Gods' blessings. He closes this section by telling them of a blessing and a curse. The blessing comes through obedience to Gods' commands and the curse through disobedience. God expects His people to be obedient to His words, His commands.
My encouragement today is for parents. Just like the future of Israel was in her children, the future of the church is in our children. Gods' recipe for success is that we continually teach our children about Him, His commands. Sunday School is wonderful. Vacation Bible School is fantastic. Summer Church Camp is awesome. But none of these take the place of the parent pouring Gods' word into their children. Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. ^"Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." Gods' plan is total immersion. Our lives, as parents are to be a complete example to our children. When we sit at home, teach our children. When we are on the road, teach our children. When we relax, teach our children. When we wake up in the morning, teach our children. God firmly places the total responsibility on mom and dad. No one else can fill this role.
I am afraid that many parents are "too busy" today. We have allowed our lives and our children's lives to be completely saturated with activities. We "hope" that they are getting what they need in the two hours of Bible class each week. God makes it clear that more is needed. It is a daily, hourly effort to place the love of God into our children's hearts.
May each of us determine to spend that precious time with our kids, time in study, time in discussion and time in prayer. Nothing short of the eternal destiny of our children is at stake here. What else matters?