Deuteronomy 11:1
Therefore thou shalt love the LORD thy God, and keep his charge, and his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments, alway.
Deuteronomy 11:1
This concluding verse of a long exhortation commands “Therefore thou shalt love the LORD thy God, and keep his charge, and his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments, alway.” It ties together affection with obedience: love for God is inseparable from keeping His law. The surrounding chapters emphasize covenant fidelity, blessings for obedience, and warnings against disobedience. The repetition of loving and keeping underscores the integrated life of worship and daily conduct. In the broader Biblical narrative, this aligns with the Deuteronomic call to wholehearted devotion, not mere ritual fidelity. It’s a pastoral appeal to a people entering a new land, where temptations to compromise would be high.
The theological core is covenant faithfulness: love for God manifests in obedience to His statutes. This mirrors the Old Testament emphasis that love is demonstrated through action, not sentiment alone. It also foreshadows Jesus’ teaching in the New Testament, where love of God is expressed through obedience to His commandments (John 14:15; 1 John 5:3). The verse reinforces the mutual obligation of God and His people: God loves, commands, and blesses those who respond in faithful allegiance.
Today, integrate love for God with concrete actions: study Scripture, pray, and practice the ethics of the law in daily life—honesty at work, fidelity in relationships, generosity to the needy, and care for creation. Let love propel obedience, not legalism. In family life, model consistent devotion: prioritize time with God, especially in daily routines, and apply His commands to parenting, budgeting, and conflict resolution. In community, cultivate discipleship that emphasizes both affection and obedience.
Cross-References: Deuteronomy 6:5; Luke 10:27; Matthew 22:37-40; Romans 13:8-10; 1 John 5:3