Breakdown of Deuteronomy 6:18

"And you shall do what is right and good in the sight of the LORD, that it may go well with you, and that you may go in and take possession of the good land that the LORD swore to give to your fathers" — It's not just about following rules, but about actively choosing what is "right and good" in God's eyes, not your own. This obedience isn't just a means to an end, but the very way you'll experience…

Deuteronomy 6:18 Meaning Explained

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Deuteronomy 6:18

And you shall do what is right and good in the sight of the LORD, that it may go well with you, and that you may go in and take possession of the good land that the LORD swore to give to your fathers

English Standard Version (ESV)

It's not just about following rules, but about actively choosing what is "right and good" in God's eyes, not your own. This obedience isn't just a means to an end, but the very way you'll experience God's blessing and successfully step into the promised future He desires for you.

What Deuteronomy 6:18 means

Following the crucial command to love the Lord with all their heart, soul, and might, the people are now instructed to actively do what is right and good in God's eyes. This obedience is directly linked to their future: it's the pathway to thriving and successfully taking possession of the promised land, the land God swore to their ancestors. This instruction serves as a bridge, showing that loving God isn't just a feeling, but a lifestyle that impacts their tangible future in the land.

Doing Right in God's Eyes

What does it truly mean to do 'what is right and good'?

The verse calls God's people to action: 'do what is right and good in the sight of the LORD.' This isn't about following personal opinions or traditions.

A Higher Standard

Our own ideas of what's 'right' can easily lead us astray. The commentary reminds us that 'evil actions are oft said to be right in our own eyes.' Instead, God's will and Word are the ultimate standard.

Obedience is Goodness

Doing what's right and good means aligning our actions with God's revealed will – His commandments. This obedience isn't a burden; it's seen as 'holy, just, and good' because it reflects God's own character.

Blessing Follows Obedience

Is there a connection between our actions and God's favor on our lives?

Deuteronomy 6:18 doesn't just tell us what to do; it tells us why and what happens when we do it. The promise is clear: 'that it may go well with you.'

Divine Approval

This phrase, 'that it may go well with you,' points to a sense of well-being, prosperity, and favor that comes from living in accordance with God's will. It's not a guarantee of a problem-free life, but an assurance that God blesses faithfulness.

Land and Legacy

The ultimate expression of this blessing in the Old Testament context was entering and possessing the Promised Land. This was God's gift, but its enjoyment was directly tied to their obedience. Disobedience meant exile and loss, while faithfulness meant security and flourishing in the land God had given them.

Understand the original words

Original language

landאֶרֶץ

erets · Hebrew Noun

The land promised by covenant to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as a place of rest, blessing, and dwelling for the people of God.

take possessionיָרַשׁ

yarash · Hebrew Verb

To take physical control or occupy territory through divine promise and victory, often referring to the inheritance of the Promised Land.

Historical context

Written: Likely around 1406 BC
Author: Moses, traditionally understood as the author
Location: Written from the plains of Moab, east of the Jordan River
Genre: Instructional narrative, characterized by direct commands and explanations of their significance

Key themes

01Obeying God's commands
02Blessing follows obedience
03Inheriting the promised land
04God's sworn faithfulness

Cross-references

Deuteronomy 12:28

This passage echoes Deuteronomy 6:18 by directly linking obedience to God's commands ('Listen to all these commands I give you') with experiencing good and possessing the land.

Joshua 1:7-9

This passage from the book of Joshua strongly parallels Deuteronomy 6:18, emphasizing that success and the ability to 'take possession of the land' are contingent upon diligently following God's law and doing what is 'right and good'.

Jeremiah 7:23

This verse from Jeremiah highlights the core message of Deuteronomy 6:18, stating God's command to Israel was to 'obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people. And walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you'.

Romans 10:5

Paul references the Law given in Deuteronomy, which includes the principle in 6:18, contrasting the righteousness that comes from obeying the Law ('the man who does these things shall live by them') with the righteousness that comes from faith in Christ.

Scholarly commentary

Deuteronomy 6:18: "And thou shalt do that which is right and good in the sight of the LORD: that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest go in and possess the good land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers,"

And thou shalt do that which is right and good in the sight of the Lord,.... And what is such appears from the declaration of his mind and will in the commandments he has given, and obeying which is therefore doing what is right and good; for his commandment is holy, just, and good,…
gill

Deuteronomy 6:18: "And thou shalt do that which is right and good in the sight of the LORD: that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest go in and possess the good land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers,"

18 . do that which is right , etc.] Cp. Deuteronomy 12:25 . mayest go in and possess ] See above on Deuteronomy 6:1 . 18, 19 . Resumption of the Sg. address; in spite of this the originality of these verses also has been doubted. It is at least curious that we have in them the divin…
cambridge

Frequently asked questions

What does Deuteronomy 6:18 mean?

Explain the meaning of Deuteronomy 6:18

What is the context of Deuteronomy 6:18?

Following the crucial command to love the Lord with all their heart, soul, and might, the people are now instructed to actively what is right and good in God's eyes. This obedience is directly linked to their future: it's the pathway to thriving and successfully taking possession of the promised land, the land God swore to their ancestors. This instruction serves as a bridge, showing that loving God isn't just a feeling, but a lifestyle that impacts their tangible future in the land.

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