More on this covenantal relationship
The evocative, forming, summoning power of YHWH, which gives life to Israel, puts Israel under profound and unqualified obligation to YHWH. When we try to give substance to that obligation, it is clear that the testimony of Israel is diverse and variegated. Israel's obligation to YHWH is to be fully responsive to, complementary to, and in full accord with the character of YHWH, so that the way in which obligation is understood is understood is commensurate with the way in which YHWH is construed. In sum, the obligation of Israel to YHWH is to love YHWH. Thus, the first commandment: "You shall love the Lord you god with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might: (Deuteronomy 6:5); "The Lord you God you shall follow, him alone you shall fear, his commandments you shall keep, his voice you shall obey, him you shall serve, and to him you shall hold fast" (Deut. 13:4)
In that loving of God - the people are shaped. The love that initiates all things is not only that. It initiates - yes, but it also becomes the character of the ones who are loved. We cannot be untouched by such love and such a demand to love. When the first commandment calls for the love of God, it will be a simultaneous calling to love others since our God is already in a relationship of loving all things. Therefore we - being in love with God who loves us first - are turned out to the world with this love as our foundation. The Character of our God is not something distant and out of our touch. It is, rather, something that becomes us. That is quite an obligation and expectation. It is also a gift that is given to us. As our relationship to this loving God continues to ground us, we are empowered to be the living presence of such love. This is all simply an expression of God's love that now is visible in, with, and under us all.
Connection: It is not so easy to remember that our life is the shape of the love of God that is visible to the world. When people cry out for God's presence in their lives, where are we?
O God, who makes our humanity shine with life, be our life and our love. Amen.
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