Deuteronomy 6:4-5~Shema-"the Lord Our God, The Lord is One" There is Only One God-The Greatest Commandment
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The Greatest Commandment
"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength." Deuteronomy 6:4-5
The Shema: Israel's Core Declaration of Faith
This verse, (6:4) is the celebrated Shema, the core declaration of Israelite faith, the confession of faith in Judaism (see Matthew 22:37,38; Mark 12:29,30; Luke 10:27), and a foundational truth echoed throughout Scripture, including in Moses's final song to Israel in Deuteronomy 32.
What Does "The Lord is One" Mean?
The Lord is One means, "the Lord alone", There is only one God. This declaration calls us to exclusive worship and devotion, rejecting all idols and false gods.
The First and Greatest Commandment: Deuteronomy 6:5
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength."
Key Aspects of Deuteronomy 6:5
Total Commitment: It's a command for complete, undivided love, not just partial devotion. This level of commitment is what Jesus later described when He taught about taking up your cross daily.
Love God With All Your Heart (Lev)
Love with your deepest feelings, desires, and intentions. When we seek after God with our whole heart, we discover the joy of His presence.
Love God With All Your Soul (Nephesh)
Love with your entire life, identity, and being, meaning total loyalty.
Love God With All Your Strength (Me'od)
Love with all your power, potential, and resources, using them for God's honor.
Foundation for Faith and Daily Living
It forms the basis for a life of worship, prayer, and obedience, influencing daily actions and priorities. Biblical Significance: Jesus and the Greatest Commandment Quoted by Jesus (Matthew 22:37) as the greatest commandment and recited daily by observant Jews as part of the Shema. Jesus's teachings, including the Parable of the Sower, consistently emphasized the importance of receiving and living out God's Word with an undivided heart.
Love for God: Active Obedience, Not Just Feeling
Love for God isn't just a feeling but active obedience, requiring total devotion all your heart, soul, strength to Him alone, not other gods. God rejoices over us with singing when we respond to His love with wholehearted obedience.
Responding to God's Love: Telling His Story Well
Deuteronomy 6 is a reminder of who God is, all He has done, and the amazing opportunity we have to respond to Him with love. It's a reminder to tell God's story well, to all people.