Moses preached one really long sermon before he died, in what is known today as the Book of Deuteronomy. Interestingly, Moses mentioned the education of children six times, scattered throughout the sermon.

The point is that Moses was really concerned about parents teaching their children and passing down their faith in Yahweh to their offspring.

And if Moses thought this was important, we should too.

Deuteronomy 4:8-9
And what great nation is there, that has statutes and rules so righteous as all this law that I set before you today? Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children.

Deuteronomy 6:7
You shall teach them [God’s words] diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.

Deuteronomy 6:20-25
When your son asks you in time to come, ‘What is the meaning of the testimonies and the statutes and the rules that the LORD our God has commanded you?’ then you shall say to your son, ‘We were Pharaoh’s slaves in Egypt. And the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. And the LORD showed signs and wonders, great and grievous, against Egypt and against Pharaoh and all his household, before our eyes. And he brought us out from there, that he might bring us in and give us the land that he swore to give to our fathers. And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as we are this day. And it will be righteousness for us, if we are careful to do all this commandment before the LORD our God, as he has commanded us.’

Deuteronomy 11:19
You shall teach them [God’s words] to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.

Deuteronomy 31:12-13
Assemble the people, men, women, and little ones, and the sojourner within your towns, that they may hear and learn to fear the LORD your God, and be careful to do all the words of this law, and that their children, who have not known it, may hear and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as you live in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess.

Deuteronomy 32:45-46
And when Moses had finished speaking all these words to all Israel, he said to them, “Take to heart all the words by which I am warning you today, that you may command them to your children, that they may be careful to do all the words of this law.”

In summary, Moses commanded parents to “make known” (4:9), “teach” (6:7; 11:19), and “command” God's statutes to their children (32:46). It is important for parents to instruct their children in the Word of God, that their children may “hear and learn to fear Yahweh” (31:13)—which is for their “good always” (6:24).

Let this be a reminder of the important task that parents have in raising their children in God’s Word, which should be a part of everything families do—“you shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise” (6:7). The Word of God should be part of morning devotions, conversations at meals, and schooling. (And if a school is not founded on God's Word, you will want to look for a better school.)

It is only by raising children in the Word of God that they will come to know Yahweh and live a life faithful to Him.

Parents and Education