◄ Deuteronomy 6:18 ►
Do what is right and good in the sight of the LORD, so that it may be well with you and that you may enter and possess the good land that the LORD your God swore to give your fathers,
Study Bible
Do what is right and good in the sight of the LORD,

This phrase emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's commandments, reflecting the covenant relationship between God and Israel. The concept of doing what is "right and good" is rooted in the moral and ethical standards set by God, as seen in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20). It underscores the idea that true righteousness is defined by God's standards, not human judgment. This call to obedience is echoed in Micah 6:8, which highlights doing justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly with God.

Deu 12:28 Be careful to obey all these things I command you,…
Deu 13:18 because you obey the LORD your God, keeping His commandments…
Deu 21:9 So you shall purge from among you the guilt…

so that it may be well with you

This part of the verse promises blessings and well-being as a result of obedience. The principle of reaping the benefits of following God's laws is a recurring theme in Deuteronomy (Deuteronomy 5:33). It reflects the covenantal promise that obedience leads to life and prosperity, while disobedience leads to curses and hardship (Deuteronomy 28). This concept is also seen in the wisdom literature, such as Proverbs 3:1-2, which links adherence to God's commandments with a long and peaceful life.

Deu 5:33 You must walk in all the ways that the LORD your God…
Deu 4:40 Keep His statutes and commandments, which I am giving you…

and that you may enter and possess the good land

The "good land" refers to the Promised Land, Canaan, which God pledged to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This promise is central to the narrative of the Pentateuch, beginning with God's covenant with Abraham in Genesis 12:7. The land is described as "flowing with milk and honey" (Exodus 3:8), symbolizing abundance and divine provision. The historical context involves the Israelites' journey from slavery in Egypt to freedom and settlement in Canaan, a fulfillment of God's promise.

Jos 1:11 Go through the camp and tell the people,…
Deu 11:8 You shall therefore keep every commandment……
Deu 8:1 You must carefully follow every commandment…

that the LORD your God swore to give your fathers,

This phrase highlights the faithfulness of God in keeping His promises. The patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—received God's promise of land, descendants, and blessing (Genesis 15:18-21). The swearing of an oath by God underscores the certainty and unchangeable nature of His promises (Hebrews 6:13-18). This assurance of God's faithfulness is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, providing hope and encouragement to believers that God will fulfill His promises in His perfect timing.

Deu 34:4 And the LORD said to him, “This is the land…
Exo 6:8 And I will bring you into the land that I swore to give…
Gen 50:24 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die,…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The author of Deuteronomy, delivering God's laws and commandments to the Israelites.

2. Israelites
The chosen people of God, who are being prepared to enter the Promised Land.

3. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who has promised the land to the forefathers of the Israelites.

4. The Promised Land
The land of Canaan, which God swore to give to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

5. The Forefathers
Refers to the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to whom God made the promise of the land.
Teaching Points
Obedience to God’s Commands
The verse emphasizes the importance of doing what is right and good in God's sight, which requires understanding and following His commandments.

Blessings of Obedience
The promise of well-being and possession of the land is tied to obedience, illustrating the principle that God rewards those who follow His ways.

Covenant Faithfulness
The reference to the land promised to the forefathers highlights God's faithfulness to His covenant, encouraging believers to trust in His promises.

Moral and Ethical Living
The call to do what is right and good extends beyond ritualistic observance to encompass moral and ethical living, reflecting God's character.

Living as a Witness
By living according to God's standards, believers serve as a testimony to others, drawing them to the truth of God's word.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the promise of the land to the Israelites relate to God's faithfulness in your life today?

2. In what ways can you ensure that your actions are "right and good in the sight of the LORD" in your daily life?

3. How does the concept of obedience in Deuteronomy 6:18 connect with Jesus' teachings in the New Testament?

4. What are some practical steps you can take to live out the moral and ethical implications of this verse in your community?

5. How can the promise of blessings for obedience in this verse encourage you in times of difficulty or uncertainty?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 12:1-3
God's promise to Abraham about making him a great nation and giving his descendants the land.

Exodus 19:5-6
God's call for Israel to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation, emphasizing obedience.

Joshua 1:7-8
The command to Joshua to be strong and courageous, keeping the law for success in the land.

Psalm 37:3-4
Encouragement to trust in the Lord and do good, promising the desires of the heart.

Matthew 5:16
Jesus' teaching on letting your light shine before others, doing good works to glorify God.
Sermons
Moses' Serious and Affectionate Charge to IsraelSketches of Four Hundred SermonsDeuteronomy 6:18
Serve GodW. Stevens.Deuteronomy 6:18
Family Training is to Propagate the LawR.M. Edgar Deuteronomy 6:6-25
The Religious Education of ChildrenJ. Orr Deuteronomy 6:6-9, 20-25
The Peril of ProsperityD. Davies Deuteronomy 6:10-19
People
Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Pharaoh
Places
Beth-baal-peor, Egypt, Massah
Topics
Enter, Fathers, Forefathers, Hast, Heritage, Mayest, Oath, Possess, Possessed, Possession, Promised, Sight, Sware, Swore, Sworn, Undertook, Upright
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Deuteronomy 6:18

     5431   oaths, divine

Deuteronomy 6:17-18

     8158   righteousness, of believers

Deuteronomy 6:17-23

     7258   promised land, early history

Library
Home-Education.
SECTION I. THE CHARACTER OF HOME EDUCATION. "Scratch the green rind of a sapling, or wantonly twist it in the soil, The scarred and crooked oak will tell of thee for centuries to come; Wherefore, though the voice of instruction waiteth for the ear of reason, Yet with his mother's milk the young child drinketh education." We come now to consider one of the most important features of the Christian home, viz., as a school for the education of character. This is important because of its vital bearing …
Samuel Philips—The Christian Home

The Unity of God
Q-5: ARE THERE MORE GODS THAN ONE? A: There is but one only, the living and true God. That there is a God has been proved; and those that will not believe the verity of his essence, shall feel the severity of his wrath. Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord.' Deut 6:6. He is the only God.' Deut 4:49. Know therefore this day, and consider it in thy heart, that the Lord he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath, there is none else.' A just God and a Saviour; there is none beside …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Real Nature and Purpose of the Old Testament
[Sidenote: A large and complex library] Turning from the Jewish and mediaeval traditions and theories which so easily beset us, we ask, What is the real nature of the Old Testament as it is revealed in this new and clearer light? The first conclusion is that it is a library containing a large and complex literature, recording the varied experiences, political, social, ethical, and religious, of the Israelitish race. The fact that it is a library consisting of many different books is recognized …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament

Love
The rule of obedience being the moral law, comprehended in the Ten Commandments, the next question is: What is the sum of the Ten Commandments? The sum of the Ten Commandments is, to love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our strength, and with all our mind, and our neighbour as ourselves. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.' Deut 6: 5. The duty called for is love, yea, the strength of love, with all …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Twelfth Sunday after Trinity Gospel Transcends Law.
Text: 2 Corinthians 3, 4-11. 4 And such confidence have we through Christ to God-ward: 5 not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to account anything as from ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God; 6 who also made us sufficient as ministers of a new covenant; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. 7 But if the ministration of death, written, and engraven on stones, came with glory, so that the children of Israel could not look stedfastly upon …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

The Tables Turned: the Questioners Questioned
'But when the Pharisees had heard that He had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. 35. Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked Him a question, tempting Him, and saying, 36. Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37. Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38. This is the first and great commandment. 39. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40. …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Parable of the Good Samaritan.
(Probably Judæa.) ^C Luke X. 25-37. ^c 25 And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and made trial of him, saying, Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? [For the term lawyer see pp. 313, 314, The lawyer wished to make trial of the skill of Jesus in solving the intricate and difficult question as to how to obtain salvation. Jesus was probably teaching in some house or courtyard, and his habit of giving local color to his parables suggests that he was probably in or near Bethany, through …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Second Series of Parables - the Two Parables of Him who is Neighbour to Us: the First, Concerning the Love That, Unasked, Gives in Our
THE period between Christ's return from the Feast of the Dedication' and His last entry into Jerusalem, may be arranged into two parts, divided by the brief visit to Bethany for the purpose of raising Lazarus from the dead. Even if it were possible, with any certainty, chronologically to arrange the events of each of these periods, the variety and briefness of what is recorded would prevent our closely following them in this narrative. Accordingly, we prefer grouping them together as the Parables …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Eclipse and Rediscovery of the Old Testament
[Sidenote: Jesus' study of the Old Testament] The opening chapters of the Gospels record only three or four meagre facts regarding the first thirty years of Jesus' life. The real history of those significant years ran so far beneath the surface of external events that it completely escaped the historian. The history of the mental and spiritual life of the Master is recorded in his mature character and teachings. The fugitive hints, however, vividly illustrate the supreme fact that he ever grew …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament

Of the Trinity and a Christian, and of the Law and a Christian.
EDITOR'S ADVERTISEMENT. These two short treatises were found among Mr. Bunyan's papers after his decease. They probably were intended for publication, like his 'Prison Meditations' and his 'Map of Salvation,' on a single page each, in the form of a broadside, or handbill. This was the popular mode in which tracts were distributed; and when posted against a wall, or framed and hung up in a room, they excited notice, and were extensively read. They might also have afforded some trifling profit to aid …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Meditations for Household Piety.
1. If thou be called to the government of a family, thou must not hold it sufficient to serve God and live uprightly in thy own person, unless thou cause all under thy charge to do the same with thee. For the performance of this duty God was so well pleased with Abraham, that he would not hide from him his counsel: "For," saith God, "I know him that he will command his sons and his household after him that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and judgment, that the Lord may bring upon …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

The Wilderness: Temptation. Matthew 4:1-11. Mark 1:12, 13. Luke 4:1-13.
The University of Arabia: Jesus' naturalness--the Spirit's presence--intensity, Luke 2:45-51.--a true perspective--- the temptation's path--sin's path--John's grouping, 1 John 2:16.--the Spirit's plan--why--the devil's weakness--the Spirit's leading--a wilderness for every God-used man, Moses, Elijah, Paul. Earth's Ugliest, Deepest Scar: Jesus the only one led up to be tempted--the wilderness--its history, Genesis 13:10-13. 18:16-19:38.--Jesus really tempted--no wrong here in inner response--every …
S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks about Jesus

In the Fifteenth Year of Tiberius Cæsar and under the Pontificate of Annas and Caiaphas - a Voice in the Wilderness
THERE is something grand, even awful, in the almost absolute silence which lies upon the thirty years between the Birth and the first Messianic Manifestation of Jesus. In a narrative like that of the Gospels, this must have been designed; and, if so, affords presumptive evidence of the authenticity of what follows, and is intended to teach, that what had preceded concerned only the inner History of Jesus, and the preparation of the Christ. At last that solemn silence was broken by an appearance, …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

On the Symbols of the Essence' and Coessential. '
We must look at the sense not the wording. The offence excited is at the sense; meaning of the Symbols; the question of their not being in Scripture. Those who hesitate only at coessential,' not to be considered Arians. Reasons why coessential' is better than like-in-essence,' yet the latter may be interpreted in a good sense. Explanation of the rejection of coessential' by the Council which condemned the Samosatene; use of the word by Dionysius of Alexandria; parallel variation in the use of Unoriginate; …
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius

The Right Understanding of the Law
Thou shalt have no other Gods before me.' Exod 20: 3. Before I come to the commandments, I shall answer questions, and lay down rules respecting the moral law. What is the difference between the moral laud and the gospel? (1) The law requires that we worship God as our Creator; the gospel, that we worship him in and through Christ. God in Christ is propitious; out of him we may see God's power, justice, and holiness: in him we see his mercy displayed. (2) The moral law requires obedience, but gives …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

The Healing of the Woman - Christ's Personal Appearance - the Raising of Jairus' Daughter
THERE seems remarkable correspondence between the two miracles which Jesus had wrought on leaving Capernaum and those which He did on His return. In one sense they are complementary to each other. The stilling of the storm and the healing of the demonised were manifestations of the absolute power inherent in Christ; the recovery of the woman and the raising of Jairus' daughter, evidence of the absolute efficacy of faith. The unlikeliness of dominion over the storm, and of command over a legion of …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Jesus' Last Public Discourse. Denunciation of Scribes and Pharisees.
(in the Court of the Temple. Tuesday, April 4, a.d. 30.) ^A Matt. XXIII. 1-39; ^B Mark XII. 38-40; ^C Luke XX. 45-47. ^a 1 Then spake Jesus ^b 38 And in his teaching ^c in the hearing of all the people he said unto ^a the multitudes, and to his disciples [he spoke in the most public manner], 2 saying, ^c 46 Beware of the scribes, ^a The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat: 3 all things whatsoever they bid you, these do and observe: but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Further Incidents of the Journey to Jerusalem - the Mission and Return of the Seventy - the Home at Bethany - Martha and Mary
ALTHOUGH, for the reasons explained in the previous chapter, the exact succession of events cannot be absolutely determined, it seems most likely, that it was on His progress southwards at this time that Jesus designated' [3870] those seventy' [3871] others,' who were to herald His arrival in every town and village. Even the circumstance, that the instructions to them are so similar to, and yet distinct from, those formerly given to the Twelve, seems to point to them as those from whom the Seventy …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Subjects of Study. Home Education in Israel; Female Education. Elementary Schools, Schoolmasters, and School Arrangements.
If a faithful picture of society in ancient Greece or Rome were to be presented to view, it is not easy to believe that even they who now most oppose the Bible could wish their aims success. For this, at any rate, may be asserted, without fear of gainsaying, that no other religion than that of the Bible has proved competent to control an advanced, or even an advancing, state of civilisation. Every other bound has been successively passed and submerged by the rising tide; how deep only the student …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

The Worship of the Synagogue
One of the most difficult questions in Jewish history is that connected with the existence of a synagogue within the Temple. That such a "synagogue" existed, and that its meeting-place was in "the hall of hewn stones," at the south-eastern angle of the court of the priest, cannot be called in question, in face of the clear testimony of contemporary witnesses. Considering that "the hall of hew stones" was also the meeting-place for the great Sanhedrim, and that not only legal decisions, but lectures …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

The Christian Home
Scripture references: Ephesians 6:1-9; 5:25-33; Colossians 3:17-25; 1 Corinthians 7:12-17; Mark 10:2-12; 7:9-13; 5:19; 1 Timothy 5:4; Luke 15:6; Titus 2:1-15; Exodus 20:12,17; Deuteronomy 6:1-9. THE HOME What is a Home?--It has been answered that, "It is the unit of society." It has also been pointed out that this unit must be kept clean, pure and right, in all its relations, or society and the state will suffer grave consequences. Certainly, in the past, the institutions of society and state have …
Henry T. Sell—Studies in the Life of the Christian

The Cavils of the Pharisees Concerning Purification, and the Teaching of the Lord Concerning Purity - the Traditions Concerning Hand-Washing' and Vows. '
As we follow the narrative, confirmatory evidence of what had preceded springs up at almost every step. It is quite in accordance with the abrupt departure of Jesus from Capernaum, and its motives, that when, so far from finding rest and privacy at Bethsaida (east of the Jordan), a greater multitude than ever had there gathered around Him, which would fain have proclaimed Him King, He resolved on immediate return to the western shore, with the view of seeking a quieter retreat, even though it were …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Among the People, and with the Pharisees
It would have been difficult to proceed far either in Galilee or in Judaea without coming into contact with an altogether peculiar and striking individuality, differing from all around, and which would at once arrest attention. This was the Pharisee. Courted or feared, shunned or flattered, reverently looked up to or laughed at, he was equally a power everywhere, both ecclesiastically and politically, as belonging to the most influential, the most zealous, and the most closely-connected religions …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Links
Deuteronomy 6:18 NIV
Deuteronomy 6:18 NLT
Deuteronomy 6:18 ESV
Deuteronomy 6:18 NASB
Deuteronomy 6:18 KJV

Deuteronomy 6:18 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Deuteronomy 6:17
Top of Page
Top of Page