Love the Lord You God

The command to love God is grounded upon the extraordinary grace of God which the Israelites had seen time and again, and again, and again… "Get the picture?" would be a worthy refrain for Moses' sermons and it impossible to avoid this implied question as he goes over the history of Israel and YHWH over and again. This is because ultimately in order for Israel to be devoted to the Lord, they must be aware of what the Lord has done for them - they must see, believe and be grateful for his love for them. Divine love begets human affection, because it is not mere emotion and feeling, but effectual calling, gracious deliverance and powerful forgiveness.