Deu 6:1 | KingComments | STEP | After the mention in the previous chapter of the ten commandments and the necessity of a mediator, Moses now gives a more detailed description of the commandments. He only passes on what the LORD has commanded him, as befits every good servant (cf. ). These are commandments to which the people of God are subject, in order to go over into the land and inherit the blessings there ( ). The blessing is presented in “flowing with milk and honey”. It represents abundance and fertility. The expression appears almost twenty times in the Bible ( ; ; ; ; ; ; ). One time the expression is used by the rebellious and unbelieving people for the land of slavery, Egypt ( ). Furthermore, the expression always applies to the promised land. Milk is a picture of the Word of God as a means to nutritional sustenance and healthy growth in spiritual living ( ). Just as a baby depends on its mother’s milk, so the believer is constantly dependent on God’s Word. This is indispensable for life in the land, but it is present in abundance. Honey represents the sweetness of natural relationships. If there is dependence on God, the mutual relationships will also be enjoyed. The living together of God’s children on that basis is beneficial to every member of God’s people. In that atmosphere all the other blessings and benefits of the LORD can be fully enjoyed; sharing blessings increases joy.

‏ Deuteronomy 6:1

Obedience Gives Blessing

After the mention in the previous chapter of the ten commandments and the necessity of a mediator, Moses now gives a more detailed description of the commandments. He only passes on what the LORD has commanded him, as befits every good servant (cf. Mt 28:19b). These are commandments to which the people of God are subject, in order to go over into the land and inherit the blessings there (Deu 5:33).

The blessing is presented in “flowing with milk and honey”. It represents abundance and fertility. The expression appears almost twenty times in the Bible (Exo 3:8 ; 17; Lev 20:24; Num 13:27 ; Num 14:8 ; Num 16:13-14; Deu 6:3 ; Deu 11:9 ; Deu 26:9 ; 15 ; Deu 27:3 ; Deu 31:20; Jos 5:6; Jer 11:5 ; Jer 32:22; Eze 20:6 ; 15). One time the expression is used by the rebellious and unbelieving people for the land of slavery, Egypt (Num 16:13). Furthermore, the expression always applies to the promised land.

Milk is a picture of the Word of God as a means to nutritional sustenance and healthy growth in spiritual living (1Pet 2:2). Just as a baby depends on its mother’s milk, so the believer is constantly dependent on God’s Word. This is indispensable for life in the land, but it is present in abundance. Honey represents the sweetness of natural relationships. If there is dependence on God, the mutual relationships will also be enjoyed. The living together of God’s children on that basis is beneficial to every member of God’s people.

In that atmosphere all the other blessings and benefits of the LORD can be fully enjoyed; sharing blessings increases joy.