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Time after Pentecost · Proper 4 · Year A

Deuteronomy 11:18-21, 26-28

Take These Words to Heart; Blessing and Curse

May 31, 2026

Moses Showing the Tablets of the Law, Maerten de Vos
Moses Showing the Tablets of the Law, Maerten de Vos, 1574–1575Mauritshuis, The Hague (PD-Art)
An Antwerp mannerist's Moses, holding out the tablets with the Hebrew legible, in a composition built for a Protestant reading of the law.You shall put these words of mine in your heart and soul … See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse.Maerten de VosAn Antwerp painter who trained in Italy and, after the iconoclasm, supplied the rebuilt churches of the city with altarpieces.Mauritshuis, The Hague (PD-Art)A small seventeenth-century town palace holding the Dutch royal cabinet of paintings, including the Girl with a Pearl Earring.Mauritshuis, The Hague (PD-Art)
LSB Three-Year Lectionary
GospelMatt. 7:15-29Mt 7:15-29
EpistleRom. 3:21-28Rom 3:21-28
Old TestamentDeut. 11:18-21, 26-28Dt 11:18-21, 26-28
PsalterPs. 4Ps 4

Overview & Insights

"You shall put these words of mine in your heart and soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and fix them as an emblem on your forehead." (Deuteronomy 11:18)

Moses urges Israel to internalize God's commands and teach them to their children across generations. He then sets before the people a blessing for obedience and a curse for turning away to other gods.

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Take it further: Deuteronomy 11:18-21, 26-28

Commentary

Commentary on Deuteronomy 11:18-21, 26-28Commentary on Dt 11:18-21, 26-28 Working Preacher

The Lutheran lectionary voice on binding God's words and the choice of blessing or curse.

Deuteronomy 11 CommentaryDt 11 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik

Verse by verse study of remembering and obeying the commandments.

Deuteronomy 11:18 CommentariesDt 11:18 Commentaries BibleHub

Classic commentators gathered on laying these words on the heart.

Deuteronomy 11 CommentaryDt 11 Commentary Precept Austin

Detailed study notes and cross references on the chapter.

Barnes' Notes: Deuteronomy 11Barnes' Notes: Dt 11 StudyLight

A historic verse by verse commentary on the passage.

Background & Word Study

Book of Deuteronomy OverviewBook of Dt Overview BibleProject

Animated overview of Moses' covenant renewal speeches to Israel.

Deuteronomy 11 (Hebrew and English)Dt 11 (Hebrew and English) Sefaria

The Hebrew text with classic Jewish commentary, including its role in the Shema tradition.

Deuteronomy 11:18 InterlinearDt 11:18 Interlinear BibleHub

Hebrew word by word behind the language of phylacteries and mezuzot.

The Church Fathers

Deuteronomy 11 - CatenaDt 11 - Catena Catena

Patristic comment on treasuring and teaching God's words from the Church Fathers.

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