Deuteronomy 6:3
Hear therefore, O Israel, and be careful to do them, that it may go well with you, and that you may multiply greatly, as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has promised you, in a land flowing with milk and honey.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The promise of multiplying greatly isn't just about population numbers; it's intrinsically tied to Israel's faithfulness to God's commands within the promised land. Their continued presence and flourishing in that fertile place are presented as a direct result of their obedience, a tangible blessing from the God of their fathers.
Moses is speaking directly to the people of Israel, presenting the laws and commands God has given him to teach them. He emphasizes that their well-being, ability to multiply greatly, and continued possession of the promised fertile land depend entirely on their diligent obedience to these commands. This verse ties God's ancient promises of growth and abundance to the people's faithfulness in following His instructions in the land they are about to inherit.
We often hear people say, 'It's not what you know, it's what you do.' In Deuteronomy, this isn't just a helpful saying – it's a divine principle that unlocks God's promises.
Moses issues a powerful call to Israel: 'Hear therefore, O Israel, and be careful to do them.'
Two Sides of the Same Coin
Notice how 'hearing' and 'doing' are linked. It's not enough to simply hear God's commands; the emphasis is on doing them. This isn't about earning salvation through good deeds, but rather about a wholehearted response to God's covenant love.
The Foundation for Blessing
Our ability to truly 'do' God's will flows from understanding His word. As commentators note, obedience requires attentiveness and understanding. When we hear God's voice and actively strive to obey, we align ourselves with His purposes.
Imagine a land so rich it's described as 'flowing with milk and honey.' This wasn't just a geographical description, but a symbol of God's abundant blessing for His obedient people.
The verse clearly links obedience with tangible blessings: 'that it may go well with you, and that you may multiply greatly.'
The Conditional Blessing
This promise of prosperity and population increase was directly tied to Israel's faithfulness to God's commands. It was a sign of God's favor and the fulfillment of His covenant promises made to their fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
The Land as a Symbol
The 'land flowing with milk and honey' represented a place of security, abundance, and fruitfulness. It was the stage upon which God intended His people to thrive, demonstrating His power and faithfulness to the nations.
Understand the original words
shama' · Hebrew Verb
A command to pay close attention with the intent to obey; it implies listening, understanding, and actively responding to God's word.
chalab u-debash · Hebrew Noun Phrase
A metaphorical description of a land characterized by abundance, prosperity, and divine blessing provided by God to His people.
This passage records God's initial promise to Abraham to make him a great nation and bless those who bless him, setting the stage for the conditional promises in Deuteronomy concerning prosperity and multiplication in the land.
Leviticus 26:3-4This passage directly parallels Deuteronomy 6:3 by stating that obedience to God's statutes and commandments leads to blessings like abundant produce and population growth, directly linking faithful action to divine favor and prosperity.
Joshua 1:7-9Here, Joshua is commanded to meditate on and follow the Law of Moses diligently, with the promise that he will be successful and prosper, echoing the core message of Deuteronomy 6:3 about obedience leading to well-being and success.
Jeremiah 29:10-14This passage shows that even in exile, a return to seeking and obeying God is promised to bring restoration, prosperity, and a future, reinforcing the enduring principle that turning to God leads to 'going well' and flourishing, though in a different context than the promised land.
gillDeuteronomy 6:3: "Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey."
Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it,.... Or them, the commandments given them: that it may be well with thee; in body and estate: and that ye may increase mightily; not only in wealth and riches, but chiefly in numbers: as the Lord God of thy fathers hath pr…
clarkeDeuteronomy 6:3: "Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey."
Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it - Literally, Ye shall hear, O Israel, and thou shalt keep to do them. 1. God is to be heard; no obligation without law to found it on, and no law in religion but from God. 2. The commandment must be understood in order to…
The promise of multiplying greatly isn't just about population numbers; it's intrinsically tied to Israel's faithfulness to God's commands within the promised land. Their continued presence and flourishing in that fertile place are presented as a direct result of their obedience, a tangible blessing from the God of their fathers.
Moses is speaking directly to the people of Israel, presenting the laws and commands God has given him to teach them. He emphasizes that their well-being, ability to multiply greatly, and continued possession of the promised fertile land depend entirely on their diligent obedience to these commands. This verse ties God's ancient promises of growth and abundance to the people's faithfulness in following His instructions in the land they are about to inherit.
Moses is speaking directly to the people of Israel, presenting the laws and commands God has given him to teach them. He emphasizes that their well-being, ability to multiply greatly, and continued possession of the promised fertile land depend entirely on their diligent obedience to these commands. This verse ties God's ancient promises of growth and abundance to the people's faithfulness in following His instructions in the land they are about to inherit.
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"Hear therefore, O Israel, and be careful to do them, that it may go well with you, and that you may multiply greatly, as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has promised you, in a land flowing with milk and honey." — The promise of multiplying greatly isn't just about population numbers; it's intrinsically tied to Israel's faithfulness to God's commands within the promised land. Their continued presence and flour…
