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The sixth chapter of Deuteronomy forms part of Moses’ second speech addressing the new-generation Israelites
It continues in the commands, decrees and laws they must learn and pass to their children, so that they may fear God and to enjoy long life
Obedience to this teaching is important, on it sits their well-being and increase
“The LORD our God, The LORD is one,” affirms God’s sovereignty and the principle of monotheism, unlike the belief in many gods by their surrounding nations
From the oneness of God flows a oneness in love, they must love God with the entirety of their being- heart, soul and strength.
They must make these teachings life-oriented not just information-oriented, by talking about it at home, on transit, while going to bed and getting up
They should wear them as hand bands and headbands, write them on doorposts, even on their gates, to help them remember
In the second lesson, the Pharisees observed that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees of the foolish questions, so they sought their own way to trap him
One of them, an expert in the Law of Moses, asked Jesus what the most important command in the law is
Jesus answered, the first and most important command is love, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.”
Second to it is also like the first, “Love your neighbor the same as you love yourself”
This double love command encapsulates the entire Hebrew Bible, all the law and the prophets
All the law and writings of the prophets take their meaning from these two commands
Jesus said if we truly love God with every aspect of our being (Deut 6:5) and love our neighbors as ourselves (Lev 19:18), we will naturally keep the commandments