The Foundation of Faith: Understanding the Greatest Commandment in Scripture
Meta Description: Discover the profound meaning of Deuteronomy 6:4-5, the Shema prayer that Jesus called the greatest commandment. Learn how “Hear, O Israel” transforms our relationship with God and daily walk of faith.
Introduction: The Heart of Biblical Faith
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-5, NIV)
These ancient words, known as the Shema (from the Hebrew word “shema” meaning “hear”), represent the cornerstone of Jewish and Christian faith. When a religious scholar asked Jesus Christ about the greatest commandment in the Law, He quoted these very verses from Deuteronomy (Mark 12:29-30). This divine endorsement elevates the Shema from an Old Testament instruction to the eternal foundation of our relationship with the Living God.
The Shema isn’t merely a prayer to recite—it’s a transformative declaration that shapes how believers understand God’s nature, experience His love, and live out their faith daily. In a world fragmented by competing loyalties and divided hearts, the Shema calls us back to the singular, all-consuming devotion that God desires from His people.
The Historical Context: Moses’ Final Instructions to Israel
The Setting of Deuteronomy
The Book of Deuteronomy captures Moses’ farewell address to the Israelites as they stood on the plains of Moab, prepared to enter the Promised Land. After 40 years of wilderness wandering, a new generation needed to understand the covenant relationship with Yahweh that would define their identity as God’s chosen people.
Deuteronomy 6 appears within a larger section (chapters 5-11) where Moses expounds on the Ten Commandments and their implications for covenant living. The Shema serves as the theological heart of this instruction—the central truth from which all other commandments flow.
Why Did God Give This Command?
The Israelites were leaving the wilderness to enter Canaan, a land filled with pagan nations worshiping multiple gods. The surrounding cultures practiced polytheism (belief in many gods) and henotheism (devotion to one god while acknowledging others). Against this backdrop, God established absolute monotheism—the revolutionary truth that He alone is God, and He alone deserves complete devotion.
The Shema wasn’t just about correct theology; it was about survival. God knew that Israel’s greatest threat wouldn’t be military conquest but spiritual compromise. If His people divided their hearts between Yahweh and foreign gods, they would lose their identity, their blessing, and their purpose.
Breaking Down the Shema: Verse by Verse Analysis
“Hear, O Israel” (Shema Yisrael)
The Hebrew word “shema” means more than auditory hearing—it carries the connotation of listening with the intent to obey. In biblical usage, to “hear” God’s word means to receive it, internalize it, and respond with action.
Key Insight: God doesn’t want passive listeners who hear His word and forget it (James 1:22-25). He desires active disciples who hear and obey. The Shema begins with a call to attention because everything else depends on whether we’re truly listening to God.
“The Lord our God, the Lord is One” (Yahweh Eloheinu Yahweh Echad)
This phrase contains the most debated and profound theological statement in Scripture. Let’s examine each component:
- “The Lord” (Yahweh) – The personal, covenant name of God revealed to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:14). This is the God who enters into relationship with His people, who makes promises and keeps them.
- “Our God” (Eloheinu) – Not a distant deity, but “our” God—the One who belongs to Israel in covenant relationship, and to whom Israel belongs exclusively.
- “Is One” (Echad) – This Hebrew word affirms God’s absolute uniqueness and unity. He is not one among many; He is the only God. Additionally, “echad” suggests a complex unity (as opposed to “yachid,” which means singular/solitary), which Christians see as allowing for the Trinity doctrine.
Theological Implications:
- Monotheism: There is only one true God (Isaiah 45:5-6)
- Unity: God is not divided or conflicted; His character is consistent
- Exclusivity: No other being deserves worship (Exodus 20:3-5)
- Simplicity: God is not composed of parts but is perfectly one in essence
“Love the Lord Your God”
After establishing who God is, the Shema declares how we should respond: with love. This isn’t a suggestion or recommendation—it’s a commandment. Biblical love (Hebrew: ahavah) isn’t primarily an emotion but a choice, a commitment, a direction of the will.
The command to “love” God appears revolutionary in the ancient Near East, where fear and appeasement characterized relationships with deities. Yahweh desires not cowering subjects but devoted children who love Him genuinely.
“With All Your Heart”
In Hebrew thought, the heart (lev) represents the center of a person’s being—their will, intellect, and emotions combined. It’s the command center from which decisions flow.
Loving God with all your heart means:
- Making Him the supreme desire of your life
- Aligning your will with His will
- Choosing Him even when emotions waver
- Guarding your heart from idols (Proverbs 4:23)
Application: Jesus taught that what fills our hearts determines our actions (Matthew 15:18-19). A heart fully devoted to God produces righteous living naturally.
“With All Your Soul”
The soul (nephesh) in Hebrew encompasses your entire life force, your very being, your identity. It’s the breath of life God breathed into Adam (Genesis 2:7).
Loving God with all your soul means:
- Surrendering your entire existence to Him
- Finding your identity in Christ, not in worldly labels
- Living for eternal purposes, not temporal pleasures
- Offering your life as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1)
“With All Your Strength”
The word strength (me’od) is actually an adverb meaning “exceedingly” or “with abundance.” Some scholars suggest it refers to material resources, while others see it as physical vitality or comprehensive totality.
Loving God with all your strength means:
- Serving Him with your physical energy and abilities
- Using your resources (time, money, talents) for His glory
- Loving Him to the utmost degree possible
- Holding nothing back in your devotion
When Jesus quoted the Shema in the New Testament, He added “with all your mind” (Mark 12:30), encompassing intellectual devotion as well. Together, heart, soul, strength, and mind represent our total being offered completely to God.
Jesus and the Shema: The Greatest Commandment
The Scribe’s Question (Mark 12:28-34)
When a teacher of the Law asked Jesus which commandment was most important, Jesus responded by quoting the Shema. This wasn’t accidental—Christ affirmed that loving God wholly is the foundation of all spiritual life and obedience.
Jesus then added a second commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18). These two commands—vertical love toward God and horizontal love toward people—summarize all of Scripture’s moral teaching.
Jesus’ Teaching: You cannot truly love God while hating your brother (1 John 4:20). Conversely, genuine love for God will overflow into love for others created in His image.
Living the Greatest Commandment
The Shema isn’t a one-time declaration but a daily reality. Jesus demonstrated complete devotion to the Father through:
- Prayer and communion (Mark 1:35)
- Obedience to God’s will, even unto death (Luke 22:42)
- Using His strength to serve others (Matthew 20:28)
- Teaching that loving God means keeping His commandments (John 14:15)
As followers of Christ, we’re called to imitate this pattern of wholehearted devotion.
The Shema in Christian Worship and Daily Life
How Early Christians Practiced the Shema
The first Christians, being Jewish, continued reciting the Shema as part of their daily prayers. However, they reinterpreted it through the lens of Christ:
- The Lord is One: Understood within Trinitarian theology—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as one God
- Love the Lord: Expressed through loving Jesus Christ and following His teachings
- Total Devotion: Manifested in martyrdom when necessary (Acts 7:59-60)
Practical Ways to Live Out Deuteronomy 6:4-5 Today
1. Morning and Evening Recitation Following Jewish tradition, begin and end your day by reciting the Shema. Let it focus your heart on God’s oneness and your devotion to Him.
2. Meditation and Memorization Internalize these verses so deeply that they shape your instinctive responses to life’s challenges. When tempted to compromise, remember: “The Lord is one—my loyalty is undivided.”
3. Examine Your Loves Regularly ask yourself: “Am I loving God with all my heart, soul, and strength, or am I holding something back?” Identify areas where you’ve made idols of career, relationships, comfort, or security.
4. Prayer of Consecration Use the Shema as a prayer: “Lord, I acknowledge You alone as God. I commit my heart, my soul, and my strength to You completely. Root out any divided loyalty. Let my love for You be supreme.”
5. Teach Your Children (Deuteronomy 6:6-7) The verses immediately following the Shema instruct parents to impress these commands on their children. Talk about God’s oneness and your love for Him throughout daily life—not just in formal religious settings.
6. Visual Reminders Ancient Jews wrote the Shema on doorposts (mezuzah) and wore it on their bodies (phylacteries). Consider creative ways to keep this truth visible: Scripture cards, phone wallpapers, or artwork in your home.
Common Challenges in Loving God Wholeheartedly
Divided Hearts in a Distracted World
Modern believers face unprecedented competition for our attention and affection. Social media, entertainment, career ambitions, and endless information streams fragment our focus.
Biblical Wisdom: Jesus warned, “No one can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24). James declared, “Purify your hearts, you double-minded” (James 4:8).
Solution: Practice sacred rhythms—Sabbath rest, digital detoxes, contemplative prayer—that pull you back from fragmentation toward singular focus on God.
The Temptation of Partial Obedience
It’s possible to love God with our hearts (emotions) while withholding our strength (resources). We might engage intellectually (mind) but remain uncommitted in soul (identity and purpose).
Biblical Example: The rich young ruler loved God emotionally but wouldn’t surrender his wealth (Mark 10:17-22). He gave God much, but not all.
Solution: Regularly inventory every area of life—finances, relationships, time, ambitions—and ask, “Have I surrendered this completely to God’s lordship?”
Legalism vs. Love
Some approach the Shema legalistically, turning wholehearted devotion into a checklist: “Did I spend X hours in prayer? Did I give Y percentage of income?”
Biblical Balance: Paul wrote, “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love” (Galatians 5:6). God desires our hearts, not mere religious performance.
Solution: Remember that love for God flows from experiencing His love for us (1 John 4:19). Spend time receiving God’s grace, and devotion will follow naturally.
The Shema and the Trinity: Theological Reflection
Does the Shema Contradict Trinity Doctrine?
Critics of Christianity sometimes argue that the Shema’s affirmation “the Lord is one” contradicts the Trinity. However, careful analysis reveals harmony:
Hebrew “Echad” (One):
- Genesis 2:24: “The two become one (echad) flesh”—distinct persons in unified relationship
- Numbers 13:23: “One (echad) cluster of grapes”—multiple grapes forming one cluster
The word “echad” denotes composite unity, not absolute singularity. This allows for the mystery of three Persons sharing one divine essence.
New Testament Revelation:
- Matthew 28:19: Baptism in the name (singular) of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
- 2 Corinthians 13:14: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit”
- John 10:30: Jesus declares, “I and the Father are one”
Conclusion: The Shema affirms monotheism—there is only one God. The Trinity explains God’s internal nature—three Persons, one Being. Both truths coexist without contradiction.
The Transformative Power of Undivided Love
What Happens When We Love God Completely?
1. Freedom from Lesser Loves When God becomes our supreme treasure, we’re liberated from addiction to approval, possessions, or status. These things may be enjoyed but cannot enslave us (Philippians 3:8).
2. Clarity of Purpose A divided heart produces confusion and instability (James 1:8). Wholehearted devotion brings clarity—every decision is filtered through one question: “Does this honor God?”
3. Supernatural Strength Paul wrote, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). When we love God with all our strength and find our strength in Him, we receive divine empowerment.
4. Deeper Intimacy Jesus said, “Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me… I too will love them and show myself to them” (John 14:21). Complete devotion unlocks greater revelation of God’s presence.
5. Eternal Reward At the final judgment, Jesus will commend those who prioritized loving God above all else: “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21).
Conclusion: Your Response to the Shema
The Shema isn’t merely an ancient Jewish prayer—it’s God’s eternal call to every human heart. Whether you’re a lifelong believer or someone exploring faith for the first time, these words invite you into the relationship you were created for: wholehearted, exclusive, all-consuming love for the one true God.
Deuteronomy 6:4-5 confronts us with penetrating questions:
- Is the Lord truly “my” God, or am I keeping Him at arm’s length?
- Am I loving Him with all my heart, or am I holding something back?
- Do I give Him my soul—my very identity—or do I draw my worth from other sources?
- Am I spending my strength on His kingdom, or on building my own?
The beauty of the Gospel is that we don’t generate this love through willpower. Instead, we “love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). As we meditate on Christ’s sacrificial death, the Father’s faithful promises, and the Spirit’s indwelling presence, our hearts are transformed. What began as a commandment becomes our deepest desire.
A Prayer of Commitment
“Hear, O my soul: The Lord is God, the Lord alone. I acknowledge that You, O God, are worthy of all my love, all my devotion, all my strength. Forgive me for the times I’ve loved created things more than You, the Creator. By Your grace, unify my divided heart. Let my love for You be supreme, shaping every thought, word, and action. May the Shema not just be words I recite, but the reality I live. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Frequently Asked Questions About the Shema
Q: Why is the Shema considered the most important Jewish prayer? A: The Shema encapsulates the core of Jewish faith—monotheism and covenant love for God. It’s recited twice daily by observant Jews and is often the last words spoken before death, affirming allegiance to the one true God.
Q: How should Christians apply the Shema today? A: Christians should embrace the Shema as Jesus did—recognizing God’s singular worthiness of complete devotion. Through the Holy Spirit’s power, believers can love God wholeheartedly, expressing this love through obedience, worship, service, and loving others.
Q: What’s the difference between loving God and obeying Him? A: Biblical love and obedience are inseparable. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commands” (John 14:15). Genuine love for God naturally produces obedience, while mere rule-following without love is legalism.
Q: Can we truly love God with our whole being, or is this an impossible standard? A: Apart from Christ, it’s impossible (Romans 7:18). But through the indwelling Holy Spirit, believers are progressively transformed (2 Corinthians 3:18). The goal isn’t sinless perfection but wholehearted devotion—consistently choosing God above all else, even when we stumble.
Q: How does the Shema relate to the Great Commission? A: Jesus’ final command to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19) flows from the Shema. Those who love God completely will naturally desire others to know and love Him. Evangelism and missions are expressions of wholehearted devotion.
Additional Resources for Deeper Study
Biblical Cross-References:
- Mark 12:28-34 (Jesus affirms the Shema)
- Matthew 22:37-40 (The greatest commandment)
- 1 Corinthians 8:4-6 (One God, one Lord)
- James 2:19 (Belief in one God, properly understood)
- Romans 6:17 (Wholehearted obedience)
Recommended Reading:
- “The Greatest Commandment” by William Barclay
- “Loving God” by Charles Colson
- “A Praying Life” by Paul Miller
- “The Knowledge of the Holy” by A.W. Tozer
Prayer & Worship:
- Incorporate the Shema into your morning prayer routine
- Sing hymns focused on God’s oneness and worthiness (“Holy, Holy, Holy,” “How Great Thou Art”)
- Practice lectio divina (meditative Scripture reading) with Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Final Thought: The Heart of All Scripture
C.S. Lewis wrote, “The moment we wake up each morning, all our wishes and hopes for the day rush at us like wild animals. And the first job each morning consists in shoving them all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other, larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in.”
The Shema is that “other voice”—the divine call that reorients our entire existence around God’s supremacy. When we hear and respond to this call, everything changes. Our anxieties shrink. Our purpose clarifies. Our love expands beyond ourselves to embrace God and neighbor.
Hear, O child of God: The Lord your God, the Lord is one. Love Him with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
This is not burdensome religion. This is joyful relationship. This is coming home.