Deuteronomy 31:9-139And Moses wrote this law, and delivered it unto the priests the sons of Levi, which bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and unto all the elders of Israel. 10And Moses commanded them, saying, At the end of every seven years, in the solemnity of the year of release, in the feast of tabernacles, 11When all Israel is come to appear before the Lord thy God in the place which he shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing. 12Gather the people together, men, and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the Lord your God, and observe to do all the words of this law: 13And that their children, which have not known any thing, may hear, and learn to fear the Lord your God, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it. (Deuteronomy 31:9‑13)
“BE STRONG and of a good courage.... And the Lord, He it is that doth go before thee; He will be with thee, He will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.”
How much we need exhortations and words of encouragement like this today! The power of Satan seems to be increasing daily and fresh difficulties arise on every hand-problems at home, at school, at work, throughout the land and abroad, even among the saints of God. But the Lord abides; He changes not. He is faithful, and if we keep our eyes on Him we can press on with courage and confidence, knowing He will never fail those who trust in Him. Then let us not lose heart but count on His love and power to carry us through every step of the way.
After this Moses wrote the law in a book and gave it to the priests who carried the ark, and to the elders. They were to put it beside the ark in the tabernacle. Thus they were to have the law ever in remembrance, for God would have not only a redeemed people but an obedient people as well. Even Moses knew beforehand that Israel would prove to be a disobedient, rebellious people, still it remains true today that obedience is the path of strength and blessing and happiness.
Then Moses told them that every seven years, in the year of release, when all the captives and slaves were set free, at the Feast of Tabernacles, all Israel—men, women, children, and the strangers in their cities were to come up before the Lord, and the priests were to read the Word before them. This was so that they might know it and do it, and fear the Lord always.
We notice that even the little children were taught the law. They are especially mentioned in this book. They were to be taught it when they were so young that they did not know anything else; “that their children, which have not known anything, may hear, and learn to fear the Lord your God, as long as ye live in the land.” v. 13.
How good it is to have our own little ones sit quietly while the Word is read at home, at Sunday school or in the meetings, and for them to learn to repeat from memory the precious texts of Scripture! Where there is faithfulness Christian parents and Sunday school teachers can count on the Lord to bless His Word stored up in young minds in this way. The Lord Jesus is worthy of the early love and the devotion of little ones, and the effort to win them to Himself in those tender years, before the world and its sinful attractions claim their young hearts, will surely bring its own glad reward.
ML-03/21/1976