‘ Take good heed therefore to yourselves, that you love YHWH your God.'
The thought of loving God was central to the teaching of Moses (Deuteronomy 6:4-6), and revealed in the keeping of His commandments (Deuteronomy 5:10; Joshua 22:5), in walking in His ways (Deuteronomy 10:12; Deuteronomy 11:22; Deuteronomy 19:9; Joshua 22:5), in serving Him with heart and soul (Deuteronomy 10:12), and in cleaving only to Him (Deuteronomy 11:22; Deuteronomy 30:20; Joshua 22:5). It would result in keeping His charge, His statutes, His judgments, and His commandments (Deuteronomy 11:1; Deuteronomy 30:16). It was to be a love that was total, with heart, and soul, and might (Deuteronomy 6:5; Deuteronomy 11:13; Deuteronomy 13:3; Deuteronomy 30:6; Joshua 22:5). It was in the final analysis the result of God ‘circumcising the heart' (Deuteronomy 30:6), which means working a transforming experience within. As Jesus said, ‘If you love me you will keep my commandments' (John 14:15).
This was a robust love, a love resulting from gratitude and a sense of relationship with God through covenant, and an awareness of His love (Deuteronomy 7:7-8; Deuteronomy 7:13; Deuteronomy 10:15), a love which resulted in action. There was nothing sentimental about it, it affected every part of life.