Topical Bible: Word of God: Texts of, to be Written on Door-Posts

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The practice of inscribing or affixing the Word of God on door-posts is deeply rooted in the Judeo-Christian tradition, serving as a tangible reminder of God's commandments and presence in the daily lives of believers. This practice is primarily derived from the instructions given in the Old Testament, specifically in the book of Deuteronomy.

Biblical Foundation

The command to write the Word of God on door-posts is found in Deuteronomy 6:4-9, a passage known as the Shema, which is central to Jewish and Christian faith. The Berean Standard Bible renders this passage as follows:

"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. Teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as reminders on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates."

This passage emphasizes the importance of keeping God's commandments at the forefront of daily life, integrating them into the very structure of one's home and routine.

Cultural and Religious Significance

In Jewish tradition, this commandment is fulfilled through the use of a mezuzah, a small case containing a scroll with specific Torah verses, including the Shema. The mezuzah is affixed to the right side of the doorpost as one enters a room or building. This practice serves as a constant reminder of God's presence and the covenant between God and His people.

For Christians, while the physical act of writing on door-posts may not be as commonly practiced, the underlying principle remains significant. The emphasis is on internalizing God's Word and ensuring it influences every aspect of life. The door-posts symbolize the entry points of one's life, suggesting that God's Word should govern all interactions and decisions.

Theological Implications

The instruction to write God's Word on door-posts underscores the importance of making faith a visible and integral part of daily life. It reflects a commitment to live according to God's commandments and to pass this commitment on to future generations. The door-posts, as thresholds between the private and public spheres, signify the believer's duty to uphold God's Word both within the home and in the broader community.

Practical Application

For contemporary believers, this command can be applied in various ways. Some may choose to display scripture in their homes through art or decorative items, serving as modern-day reminders of God's Word. Others may focus on the spiritual discipline of memorizing scripture, ensuring that it is "written" on the heart and mind, guiding actions and decisions.

Ultimately, the practice of writing God's Word on door-posts is a call to live a life that is visibly and authentically rooted in the teachings of scripture, allowing God's commandments to shape and define one's identity and actions.

Nave's Topical Index

Deuteronomy 6:9
And you shall write them on the posts of your house, and on your gates.
Nave's Topical Index

Deuteronomy 11:20
And you shall write them on the door posts of your house, and on your gates:
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Library

The God of the Rain
... But all the time they did not understand the texts, or love them, or get ... a time in
this land when people shall profess to worship the word of God; and yet ...
/.../kingsley/the gospel of the pentateuch/sermon xvii the god of.htm

The Dead Christ
... the bones of Jesus; yet a sacred word, of which ... The first of these texts is generally
supposed[4] to ... existence as a nation had begun, when God liberated them ...
/.../stalker/the trial and death of jesus christ/chapter xxii the dead christ.htm

The Old Testament and Comparative Religion
... for {179} it in the cuneiform ritual texts of the ... in Tiamat; in Gen.1.2 occurs the
word tehom, translated ... in the Babylonian account, Marduk, the god of light ...
/.../eiselen/the christian view of the old testament/chapter v the old testament.htm

The Political Constitution of Egypt
... most ancient names were often only a short word, which denoted ... as far as his body
was concerned, and god in virtue ... Among other examples, the texts mention the ...
/.../chapter ithe political constitution of.htm

The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
... slaughtering weapon in his hand' (Ezekiel 9:1,2). Well, I have written, and by ... is
not what men do believe concerning their sin, but what God's Word says of it. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the life and death of.htm