Chapter six is Moses reminding the Children of Israel of the great blessings that the Lord has given them, starting with bringing them out of bondage from Egypt, and of blessings yet to come when they enter the Promised Land. The Lord, though Moses, gives them commandment and a warning.
The commandment is to share the ten commandments (which were recapped in chapter five).
7 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.And then the warning in verse 12: "Then beware lest thou forget the Lord, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage."
8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.
9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.
This commandment is given to God's chosen people. They, much like the Saints today, demonstrate that while on Earth we need consistent reminders of our blessings and warnings against "forgetting." The Book of Mormon calls this being "slow to remember" God.
And then the Lord gives three ways to ensure that we don't forget.
- Serve the Lord (v 13-14). I take that to mean that we go to church. Take the Sacrament to "always remember Him." Serve our neighbors in callings. Volunteer for service assignments. Serve our ancestors by serving in the temple. We serve the Lord by serving our fellow man (1 Ne 2:17-18).
- Diligently keep the commandments (v 17-18). Avoid what He has said we should avoid, and do what He as said we should do.
- Share the gospel with others (v 20-25). Live so that others see your righteousness and happiness, and tell them where they may look for that happiness.
I think this is my favorite chapter of the Old Testament so far.
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