(The Lord speaking is red text)
Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him.
So obey the mitzvot of ADONAI your God, living as he directs and fearing him.
Therefore you shall keep the commandments of the LORD your God, walking in His ways and fearing Him.
And thou shalt keep the commandments of Jehovah thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him.
Therefore thou shalt keep{H8104} the commandments{H4687} of the LORD{H3068} thy God{H430}, to walk{H3212} in his ways{H1870}, and to fear{H3372} him.
Deuteronomy 8:6 is part of Moses' second discourse to the Israelites, which occurs in the plains of Moab before they enter the Promised Land. The verse emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's commandments as a response to His faithfulness and provision. The broader chapter, Deuteronomy 8, recounts the Israelites' journey through the wilderness and how God humbled, tested, and provided for them, teaching them that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.
The historical context of this verse is the period just before the Israelites' entrance into Canaan, having wandered in the wilderness for 40 years as a result of their disobedience and lack of faith when they first reached the borders of the Promised Land.
The themes of Deuteronomy 8:6 include:
1. **Obedience**: Emphasizing the need to follow God's commandments as a demonstration of their commitment to Him.
2. **Gratitude**: Acknowledging God's provision and protection during their wilderness journey and the importance of responding with faithful obedience.
3. **Remembrance**: The necessity of recalling God's past acts of deliverance and provision to motivate present and future obedience.
4. **Reliance on God**: Recognizing that their sustenance and success come from God, not merely from their own efforts.
5. **Covenant Relationship**: The verse reflects the covenantal nature of the relationship between God and Israel, where obedience is a response to God's grace and a condition for continued blessing.
6. **Spiritual Formation**: The wilderness experience was intended to shape the Israelites' character and deepen their dependence on God, preparing them for life in the Promised Land.
This verse and its context serve as a reminder to the Israelites, and by extension to all believers, that their relationship with God is not merely transactional but transformational, requiring a holistic alignment with His will and ways.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)