Following his description of the Decalogue, Moses offers in Deuteronomy 6 the core instruction on life in the Promised Land, Israel is to love God with all that they are. Israel's devotion to God should be internalized as well as demonstrated in their outer lives for all to see. His instruction, "Hear O Israel..." forms the basis for the Shema, the daily prayer that is at the heart of the daily devotions for the Israelite.
Israel is warned to always remember what God has done for them in the Exodus story. For while God is Israel's savior, God is also jealous and will not sit idly by if Israel turns to other gods.They are also not to test God, not to question God's benevolence towards Israel.
The chapter also contains the heart of what Israel understands of who it is through a teaching offered for children who question. God has shown Israel God's glory through the Exodus story that has liberated and saved Israel. Redeemed by God, Israel has thus been instructed to live by the commandments that God has set forth.
When Israel enters into the land of Canaan, they must remember that they are to be God's people and not follow the customs of the dwellers of the land, that is the warning of Deuteronomy 7. God has chosen Israel because God loves them, and that love sets them apart from other peoples. Israel is to make no covenant with the residents of Canaan, they are not to inter-marry but instead drive these people from the land so that Israel will remain devoted to God.
If Israel remains faithful to the covenant, then Israel will not want for anything. Its land will be productive, the people will multiply, they will be healthy and prosperous. God will deliver them from all enemies no matter how powerful or strong those enemies might be. But Israel must not follow other gods, must not even try to take possession of the gold or silver that comprise the idols of those who they defeat. Instead, even the gold and silver must be destroyed because it has been tainted by those who do not follow God.
Psalm 33
The 33rd Psalm is a hymn of praise for the glorious work of God found in the creation of the world through God's righteous word. It is this God who reigns over the earth, not humanity. The rule of kings and nations is nothing compared to God's will and it is God's providence that will provide. The happiness of people and nations is found in those who hope in God's steadfast love.
The core belief found in Psalm 33 is that God is sovereign over all things. To trust in God, is to place ones faith in the Almighty.
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