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The first lesson presents Joshua’s old age farewell to the leaders of Israel
He established that God had given them victory and peace from their enemy and that God had fulfilled his promises to Israel
Hence, they must be careful to love the Lord their God and this is to be done through continuous obedience to the Law
Although, God had given them the extent of the land, but some portion as still occupied by heathen nations
They must not make friends with them, intermarry, worship their gods or even mention the names of their gods while praying or making an oath
If they do these things, God will not help to defeat them, rather they will become like a trap to them
Rebellion will cost them much pain and even risk losing the promised land
In the second lesson, a passing teacher of the law, impressed by Jesus’ response to the Sadducees, respectfully seeks Jesus’ summation of the law
In Jesus’ response, he began with the central confession of Jewish identity “Hear O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one”.
In continuation, the greatest command is to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.
The heart, soul, mind and strength represent the entirety of one’s being
The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these
For a second time, this teacher of the law commended Jesus for his response, affirming that God is one and there is no other but him
The teacher also contributed that loving God is more important than all burnt offering and sacrifices
Then Jesus told the teacher that he is not far from the kingdom of God, because he has also answered Jesus wisely