Here begins the detailed explanation of the commandments, as some of their implications are spelled out more fully. This instruction will be given so that all may “fear the Lord” (6:2). Few expressions in the Old Testament embrace more what it is to listen, love, and serve God than to “fear God.” These verses do not suggest any type of entitlement, as if the promise is that if we always fear and obey God we will always receive anything we want. We do not trade in spiritual capital for material prosperity in some kind of name-it-and-claim-it economy. Instead, it is our privilege to honor so great a Lord.

The famous Shema passage of verse 4 (in Hebrew, shema, “hear,” is the first word in the verse) is one that is on the lips of orthodox Jews morning and night, and one they wish to be on th…