The 'Greatest Commandment'

The Commandment section in the book of Deuteronomy begins with:

"Hear, O Israel, YHVH our Elohim, YHVH is One...  You shall love YHVH with all your heart and all your soul, and these instructions which I command you today, teach them to your children."  (Deut 6:4-6)

The Commandment 'to love YHVH in every walk of life' repeats in each subsequent section which follows.  For example: 

"Upon conquering the land, you may inherit an entire city with houses already built and vineyards already planted.  Don't let this affluence cause you to forget YHVH."  (Deut 6:10-15)   

"If, then, you faithfully keep this commandment that I command you, to love YHVH, to follow His laws and to attach yourselves to Him, then I will help you conquer the Land."  (Deut 11:22-25)

YHVH promised to assist Israel with the conquest and settling of the Land, as long as they kept His commandments with the proper attitude, i.e. out of love and respect for Him.  They were not commanded to always be flawless, but they were commanded to "Always Love".

"Shema Israel... and you shall love YHVH with all your heart and soul... and these laws which I command you."  (Deut 6:4-6)

"When your children, who did not go through the desert experience will ask you why we have to keep all these commandments, remind them and teach them."  (Deut 6:20-25)

"When you conquer your enemy, don't intermarry."  (Deut 7:1-5)

"If you become fearful of your enemy, don't worry, remember
what YHVH did to Egypt, He can help you as well."  (Deut 7:17-25)

"Don't act in a rebellious manner as your forefathers did in the desert."  (Deut 8-10)

"As Canaan does not have a constant water source, (like the Nile River in Egypt) you will be dependent on the rainfall in this new land.  Therefore, recognize that it is YHVH who gives you rain and not any other god."   (Deut 11:10-15).

Each section of commandments discusses a different aspect of one's proper attitude towards YHVH, or what we call "The Love of YHVH"

"If, then, you faithfully keep this commandment to love YHVH... to follow His laws... then YHVH will help you conquer these nations... every foot step that you take will become your land, to its widest borders.  No man shall stand up against you."  (Deut 11:22-25)

The Commandment section concludes with a promise of a blessing or a curse on the land, depending if Israel continue to keep this commandment or not, once they settle the land.

"Now that you are crossing the Jordan to inherit the Land... keep these Judgments and Statutes that I am teaching you today."  (Deut 11:31-32)

"These are the Judgments and Statutes that you are to keep in the land which YHVH gave to your forefathers."  (Deut 12:1)

"God commands you today to keep these judgments and statutes with all your heart and soul.  You have affirmed
this day that YHVH is your Elohim, that you will walk in His ways.  YHVH has affirmed this day that you are, as He promised, His chosen people... and you shall be, as He promised at Mount Sinai, a holy nation to YHVH your Elohim."  (Deut 26:16-19)

Only with the solid base of true love and dedication to YHVH is it possible to fulfill the Law in the proper manner, and only through keeping the Law with the proper attitude is it possible to maintain love for YHVH as a daily way of life.

"If you keep my commandments you shall abide in my love."  John 15:10

"If you love me keep my commandments."  John 14:15

When we Love YHVH we fulfill the Law.

"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear YHVH Elohim and Keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man." 
Eccl 12:13