This verse from Deuteronomy 6:10 is a reminder to the Israelites of God's promise and a warning about their potential future behavior. Let's break it down:
"It shall be, when Yahweh your God brings you into the land which he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give you...": This is a reiteration of the covenant God made with the patriarchs of the Israelite nation - Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God promised to give their descendants a specific land (Canaan, later known as Israel). It is a direct fulfillment of a promise made generations prior.
"...great and goodly cities, which you didn’t build...": This part highlights that the Israelites will inherit cities they did not construct themselves. These cities will be well-established and prosperous. This emphasizes the abundance and ease with which they will enter the land. It's a blessing that is entirely a result of God's grace and not their own effort.
Overall Meaning:
The verse serves several important purposes:
Reinforcement of God's Promise: It reminds the Israelites that their inheritance of the land is a direct result of God's covenant and faithfulness. It is not something they earned or deserved.
Warning Against Complacency and Pride: By emphasizing that they will receive cities they didn't build, the verse subtly warns against taking their prosperity for granted. The implication is that if they forget God's role in their success, they could become arrogant and disobedient.
Foundation for the Commandments that Follow: This verse sets the stage for the subsequent commandments in Deuteronomy. Because God has been so generous and faithful, the Israelites are obligated to obey His laws and remain loyal to the covenant. (The following verse, Deuteronomy 6:11-12 warns about forgetting the Lord.)
In essence, Deuteronomy 6:10 reminds the Israelites of God's gracious provision and the importance of remembering their dependence on Him even in times of prosperity. It is a call to gratitude and obedience.
This verse from Deuteronomy 6:10 is a reminder to the Israelites of God's promise and a warning about their potential future behavior. Let's break it down:
"It shall be, when Yahweh your God brings you into the land which he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give you...": This is a reiteration of the covenant God made with the patriarchs of the Israelite nation - Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God promised to give their descendants a specific land (Canaan, later known as Israel). It is a direct fulfillment of a promise made generations prior.
"...great and goodly cities, which you didn’t build...": This part highlights that the Israelites will inherit cities they did not construct themselves. These cities will be well-established and prosperous. This emphasizes the abundance and ease with which they will enter the land. It's a blessing that is entirely a result of God's grace and not their own effort.
Overall Meaning:
The verse serves several important purposes:
Reinforcement of God's Promise: It reminds the Israelites that their inheritance of the land is a direct result of God's covenant and faithfulness. It is not something they earned or deserved.
Warning Against Complacency and Pride: By emphasizing that they will receive cities they didn't build, the verse subtly warns against taking their prosperity for granted. The implication is that if they forget God's role in their success, they could become arrogant and disobedient.
Foundation for the Commandments that Follow: This verse sets the stage for the subsequent commandments in Deuteronomy. Because God has been so generous and faithful, the Israelites are obligated to obey His laws and remain loyal to the covenant. (The following verse, Deuteronomy 6:11-12 warns about forgetting the Lord.)
In essence, Deuteronomy 6:10 reminds the Israelites of God's gracious provision and the importance of remembering their dependence on Him even in times of prosperity. It is a call to gratitude and obedience.