Deuteronomy 6:15
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Deuteronomy 6:15
15 (For the LORD thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the LORD thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth.
Chapter Context
Deuteronomy 6 is a sermonic and legal chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of hope, fellowship, judgment. Written during the end of the wilderness wandering (c. 1406 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Moses delivered these speeches as Israel prepared to enter a land filled with different Canaanite city-states.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-25: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it foreshadows Christ's work through typology and prophetic elements. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Deuteronomy and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Deuteronomy 6:15
15 (For the LORD thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the LORD thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth.
Analysis
The warning 'the LORD thy God is a jealous God' reveals divine intolerance of rivals. God's jealousy isn't petty possessiveness but righteous zeal for His honor and His people's exclusive devotion. The threat 'lest the anger of the LORD...be kindled against thee, and destroy thee' demonstrates that covenant violation brings severe judgment. The phrase 'from off the face of the earth' indicates total destruction—exile, conquest, annihilation. This verse illustrates the Reformed doctrine that God's holiness demands justice against sin. Only Christ's substitutionary atonement satisfies divine wrath, securing believers from destruction.
Historical Context
God's jealous anger manifested repeatedly in Israel's history: plague after Baal-peor apostasy (Numbers 25:1-9), defeat at Ai after Achan's sin (Joshua 7), Assyrian exile of northern Israel (722 BC) for persistent idolatry (2 Kings 17:7-23), Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and Judah's exile (586 BC) for covenant violation (2 Kings 24-25). These historical judgments validated God's warnings and demonstrated that covenant disobedience brings destruction. Yet God preserved a remnant, maintaining His redemptive purposes.
Reflection
- How does understanding God's jealousy as righteous zeal rather than petty possessiveness affect your view of exclusive worship?
- What does the threat of destruction teach about sin's seriousness and the necessity of Christ's atonement to shield believers from divine wrath?
Word Studies
- Lord: יְהוָה / אֲדֹנָי (YHWH / Adonai) H3068 - The LORD / Lord
Cross-References
- References God: Deuteronomy 4:24, 7:4, Exodus 20:5
- References Lord: Deuteronomy 11:17