The Word, prayer, and praise are God's commands that must always accompany us as believers throughout our lives. Among these, reading and drawing near to the Bible — the Word of God — is one of the foremost virtues of a believer. We can see that this was a command given by God even before the church existed.
Today, let us share in God's grace together as we look at where God commands believers to place the Book of the Law — what we now call the Bible — and reflect on whether we are keeping that command.
Four places God commands us to keep His Word:
Why was the Book of the Law placed there?
Inside the ark were the tablets of testimony (the Ten Commandments), and the entire law was placed beside it — demonstrating that God's presence (the ark) is always together with the Word (the law).
By placing it beside the ark rather than sealing it inside, the Levites and leaders could read the law at any time and teach the people.
The Book of the Law served the role of a witness — exposing Israel's rebellion and serving as the basis for judgment when sin was committed before God.
This guards against treating the ark itself as a magical object, and shows that true faith is following the "Word of God (covenant)" contained within it.
By placing the Word in every movement and time of daily life — when sitting at home, walking on the road, lying down, and rising up — the intention is to naturally make the Word a part of everyday living.
Writing the Word on the doorposts and gates declares that the home is a "small temple" under God's sovereignty.
The home is the most foundational place of faith education. The purpose is for parents to first practice love for God, and on that basis teach their children, so that the heritage of faith is passed down from generation to generation.
Distinction of holiness: Writing the Word on the outer gate is a sign showing that the home is set apart from the world — that it belongs to the people of God.
This is God's command to diligently teach children to love God with all their heart, soul, and strength.
Applying the Word to everything done with the hands so that actions do not deviate from God's will.
In Judaism, some still wrap the Word around their hands — this is called "tefillin."
Placing God's Word on the forehead means that the basis of our thoughts, values, and judgments must be God's Word. It means letting our thoughts and meditations be immersed in the Word.
The Word governs not a part but the whole; faith is not knowledge but all of life.
The land flowing with milk and honey is where God's promises are fulfilled. By setting up large stones inscribed with the law in this place, the intention is that all the people of Israel would never forget that they were saved by God's grace and are a "covenant community" that must obey His Word.
So that they would not be influenced by the foreign cultures and customs of Canaan, but would observe the statutes and ordinances founded on God's Word and live a set-apart life.
By writing the law on lime-coated stones, the intention is that God's commands would be passed down unchanged to future generations without being erased.
God's Word is not merely "an object to be stored" but the "the standard of life" for me, my family, and all believing people.
God commanded that the Word be placed beside the ark, in our homes and living spaces, governing our entire thoughts and actions — and finally, that it be revealed in our community and the world.
I pray that you would believe that this is God's deep love: commanding us to place the Word throughout our entire lives, not ending with ourselves alone, but passing it on even to our descendants.
Where God commands us to place His Word:
No matter where we are or what we do, may you be precious believers who trust in God who is always with us, who follow His Word to the end, and who always keep the Word with yourselves, your families, and in all of life.