The Heart of God's Commands Revealed in Scripture
The Heart in Scripture: Understanding God's Commands
The concept of the "heart" is central to understanding God's commands in Scripture. In biblical terms, the heart represents the core of a person's being, encompassing their thoughts, emotions, and intentions [5]. Deuteronomy 6:5 commands the Israelites to "love the Lord your God with all your heart" — a directive that Jesus later reaffirms as the first and greatest commandment (Matthew 22:37-38). This commandment is not just about emotional devotion but involves the entirety of one's being, including intellect, will, and physical actions [7].
Scripture emphasizes that God is deeply concerned with the state of the human heart. The Psalms frequently express this theme, with David praying, "Search me, God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts" (Psalm 139:23) [4]. This divine scrutiny is not limited to actions but extends to the innermost thoughts and motivations. As Psalm 44:21 states, "Would not God have discovered, since He knows the secrets of the heart?" [1]. The heart is seen as the source of life's issues, as Proverbs 4:23 advises, "Guard your heart above all else" [5].
The heart's condition is crucial for obedience to God's commands. According to Abraham Ibn Ezra, a Jewish commentator, "The commandments that pertain to the heart are the most important ones" [6]. This includes beliefs and emotions such as love for God. The connection between the heart and obedience is underscored in Deuteronomy 30:11-14, where Moses explains that the commandment is not too difficult or far off but is near, in the mouth and heart, to be observed [9].
The New Testament continues this emphasis on the heart. In 1 Corinthians 14:25, Paul describes how the secrets of an unbeliever's heart are revealed during worship, leading to worship and acknowledgment of God's presence [3]. This reflects the ongoing biblical theme that God knows and cares about the heart's condition.
The heart is not just a passive recipient of God's commands; it is also the locus of spiritual transformation. The Psalmist prays for a "clean heart" and a "new spirit" (Psalm 51:10), and Ezekiel prophesies that God will give His people a "new heart" and a "new spirit" (Ezekiel 36:26) [5]. This transformation enables believers to love God and obey His commands genuinely.
In Christian tradition, the love of God is seen as a fundamental aspect of the heart's response to God's commands. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, love for God is commanded and is a characteristic of saints, produced by the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22) [2]. This love is not just a feeling but is demonstrated through obedience to God's commands (1 John 5:3) [2].
The heart's role in understanding and obeying God's commands is thus multifaceted. It involves a deep, inner transformation that enables believers to love and obey God fully. As John Gill notes, the Lord directs the hearts of believers into the love of God, enabling them to exercise this love in a lively manner [8].
The biblical emphasis on the heart underscores the importance of inner sincerity and genuine devotion in religious practice. As the Jewish tradition highlights, both the heart and deeds are crucial, with the heart being the more important aspect [10]. This understanding is echoed in Christian interpretations, where the heart is seen as the seat of faith and love, essential for a genuine relationship with God.
The biblical concept of the heart, therefore, is not just about emotional or sentimental love but encompasses a comprehensive commitment to God, involving the intellect, will, and actions. This understanding is foundational to both Jewish and Christian traditions, emphasizing the importance of a sincere and transformed heart in response to God's commands.
Sources
- Psalms “Psalms 44:21 (BSB) — would not God have discovered, since He knows the secrets of the heart?”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Love to God — Commanded -- De 11:1; Jos 22:5. The first great commandment -- Mt 22:38. With all the heart -- De 6:5; Mt 22:37. Better than all sacrifices -- Mr 12:33. Produced by The Holy Spirit. -- Ga 5:22; 2Th 3:5. The love of God to us. -- 1Jo 4:19. Answers to prayer. -- Ps 116:1. Exhibited by Christ -- Joh 14:31. A characteristic of saints -- Ps 5:11. Should produce Joy. -- Ps 5:11. Love to saints. -- 1Jo 5:1. Hatred of sin. -- Ps 97:10. Obedience to God. -- De 30:20; 1Jo 5:3. Perfected in obedience -- 1Jo 2:5. Perfected, gives boldness -- 1Jo 4:17,18. God, faith”
- 1 Corinthians “And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed. So he will fall down on his face and worship God, declaring that God is among you indeed. -- 1 Corinthians 14:25”
- Psalms “Search me, God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts. -- Psalms 139:23”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Heart, The — Issues of life are out of -- Pr 4:23. God Tries. -- 1Ch 29:17; Jer 12:3. Knows. -- Ps 44:21; Jer 20:12. Searched. -- 1Ch 28:9; Jer 17:10. Understands the thoughts of. -- 1Ch 28:9; Ps 139:2. Ponders. -- Pr 21:2; 24:12. Influences. -- 1Sa 10:26; Ezr 6:22; 7:27; Pr 21:1; Jer 20:9. Creates a new. -- Ps 51:10; Eze 36:26. Prepares. -- 1Ch 29:18; Pr 16:1. Opens. -- Ac 16:14. Enlightens. -- 2Co 4:6; Eph 1:18. Strengthens. -- Ps 27:14. Establishes. -- Ps 112:8; 1Th 3:13. Should be Prepared to God. -- 1Sa 7:3. Given to God. -- Pr 23:26. Perfect with God. -- 1Ki 8:”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Deuteronomy 30:14: IN THY MOUTH, AND IN THY HEART. For the heart is the core of the commandments. 16 The commandments that pertain to the heart are the most important ones. Among the latter are the commandments to believe in God, to love God, etc. Some commandments require the uttering of statements which serve to reinforce the heart. 17 We thus recite the shema to reinforce our belief. Others consist of deeds 18 Such as donning tefilin . so that a person will utter the required statements. 19 So that a person will remember to recall verbally the commandment tied to the rit”
- Deuteronomy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Deuteronomy 6:5: 6:5 love the Lord: See study note on Josh 23:11. • The words heart, . . . soul, and . . . strength represent the intellect, the will, the emotions, the spirituality, and the physical being—all that a person is and can do for God. This commandment is the core of God’s covenant with Israel (see Jesus’ comments in Matt 22:37; Mark 12:30; Luke 10:27).”
- 2 Thessalonians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Thessalonians 3:5: And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God,.... By which may be meant either the love with which God is loved. This is the sum and substance of the first and chief commandment in the law, and is what every man in a state of nature is destitute of; it is implanted in the heart in regeneration, and is a fruit of the Spirit of God; and where it is it oftentimes grows cold, and needs to be stirred up and reinflamed, by the Spirit of God, which may be intended, by a directing of the heart into it, that is, to a lively exercise of it: or else the love with”
- Deuteronomy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Deuteronomy 30:11: THE COMMANDMENT IS MANIFEST. (Deu 30:11-14) For this commandment . . . is not hidden . . . neither is it far off--That law of loving and obeying God, which was the subject of Moses' discourse, was well known to the Israelites. They could not plead ignorance of its existence and requirements. It was not concealed as an impenetrable mystery in heaven, for it had been revealed; nor was it carefully withheld from the people as a dangerous discovery; for the youngest and humblest of them were instructed in those truths, which were subjects of earnest”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Exodus 31:18: AND HE GAVE. Empty heads ask, “What did Moses do on the mount for forty days and forty nights?” They do not know that if Moses spent this number and double its double in years with God, he would barely know one part of a thousand of God’s work and ways and the secret of all the precepts which God commanded him. They think that deeds are most important. 82 They (the empty heads) think that the mere observance of the commandments is the most important element in Judaism. This is not so. What is important is heart together with deed. 83 One must understand the re”