Day 11 - Deuteronomy 6:1-9 - Covenant

Connecting to the Larger Story

Continuing their journey from Egypt through the wilderness to the promised land, the Israelites came to Mount Sinai. Moses went up the mountain and received the law that would form the basis of God's covenant with God's people. After many years of wandering in the wilderness, the people were finally on the cusp of entering the promised land, and Moses repeated the law to them and reminded them of the covenant they had with God who was living up to the promise of a land to call their own.

Important to Note

1) Verses 6-9 constitute a passage known as the Shema (from the Hebrew for "hear"). These verses lay out the basis of the covenant with God. To be God's people, they must recognize that the Lord alone is their God and they must turn from following other false gods or personal idols. They must love God with all that is within them.
2) Moses tells the people to keep the commandments in their hearts, recite them to their children, bind them on their hands, make them a emblem on their foreheads, and write them on their doorposts. In short, loving God and following the Lord's commandments are a way of life and should permeate every aspect of their lives.

Thoughts for Reflection

1) What idols (worldly things like money or entertainment) do we put before our love of God?
2) What would it look like for our love of God to be the defining part of our way of life?