This passage is known as the Shema (to hear) among Jews. According to Jesus, it is the most important of all God’s laws. He added that this passage encapsulated the entirety of the Law. It begins by stating that YHWH (LORD in all caps) is our Elohim, which is Hebrew for “God.” Then it informs us that YHWH is one. The mystery of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is presented here. They are a single entity. They are all the same. The God of the Hebrews is one, yet religions with numerous gods distinguish the distinctions and functions of each god. That is what we call monotheism. Only total unity can be a perfect God. They would be the same if everyone else were flawless.
We are then instructed to love YHWH, our Elohim, with all of our hearts. All of our desires ought to be directed toward Him. This word encompasses our thoughts in Hebrew. We ought to love God with all of our hearts. That is our entire existence, including our will and emotions. With all of our might, we ought to love the LORD, our God. Out of love, we ought to do everything in our power to exalt Him. One of them doesn’t seem to be conceivable without mixing all the other components of our makeup. This command could be shortened to “love your God with all you are!”
We should become aware of our shortcomings and the aspects of our lives that are vying for the top spot in our hearts as we concentrate on what this is saying. The Jews placed this poem on the front door of their houses in a little container. Orthodox Jews place it in a box on their foreheads during devotion. It should be in front of us at all times to monitor how our heart, soul, and strength are being used.
Deuteronomy 6:4-5 4Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
Caution: Do everything for God’s glory.
