For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.1
What is meant by ‘set his heart’? The NIV used ‘devoted.’ It means to resolve, dedicate, and have a strong, intense desire and commitment to a particular goal or way of life, encompassing one’s will, mind, and whole being. It’s not merely about emotions but about a purposeful devotion to seeking God, His word, or heavenly things, rather than the superficial concerns of the world.2
The Jews religiously recited the Shema, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. . . . 3
Jesus reiterated the same and emphasized the importance of knowledge when he added ‘mind’ in quoting the Shema. When asked what is the most important command, Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all you soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’4 For he knew that to be ignorant of what the Scripture says about God is to be deluded into believing that you have eternal life. Praying to his Father, he said, “Father, the hour has come, glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. . . .5
What do the following criteria to love God entail?
1. Love God with all your heart. It implies to hate evil. O you who love the LORD, hate evil!6
2. Love God with all your soul. It involves your emotions, mind, and will. There is an intentional, deliberate decision to please God. If you love me, you will keep my commandments.7
3. Love God with all your mind. I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.8 I will give them a heart to know that I am the LORD, and they shall be my people and I will be their God, for they shall return to me with their whole heart.9
4. Love God with all your strength. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.10 Even in the little things let there be excellence to glorify Jesus.
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.11
Notes:
1. Ezra 7:10
2. AI Overview
3. Deuteronomy 6:4-9
4. Mark 12:29-30
5. John 17:1-5
6. Psalm 97:10a
7. John 14:15
8. Psalm 119:15-16
9. Jeremiah 24:7
10. Colossians 3:23
11. Hebrews 13:20-21
