Deu 26:16 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Deut 26:16-19: 26:16-19 Having laid out the great covenant principles (chs 5–11 ) and clarified their application (chs 12–26 ), Moses urged the people to obey the covenant with all their hearts. The Lord had called them into a special relationship with himself, a privilege that required obedience to the covenant prescriptions. The result of this submission was holiness, a state that reflected God’s character and that would flow naturally from unbroken fellowship with him. 26:16 wholeheartedly (literally with all your heart and with all your soul ): This Hebrew phrase is a clear reference to the Shema, the foundational statement of Israel’s faith and covenant commitment (see 6:4-5 and study notes). There could be no halfhearted compliance with God’s high and holy expectations; it must be all or nothing.

a26:16-19►

b5–11►

c12–26►

‏ Deuteronomy 26:16

Summary for Deut 26:16-19: 26:16-19 ^a Having laid out the great covenant principles (chs 5–11 ^b) and clarified their application (chs 12–26 ^c), Moses urged the people to obey the covenant with all their hearts. The Lord had called them into a special relationship with himself, a privilege that required obedience to the covenant prescriptions. The result of this submission was holiness, a state that reflected God’s character and that would flow naturally from unbroken fellowship with him. 26:16 ^d wholeheartedly (literally with all your heart and with all your soul): This Hebrew phrase is a clear reference to the Shema, the foundational statement of Israel’s faith and covenant commitment (see 6:4-5 ^e and study notes). There could be no halfhearted compliance with God’s high and holy expectations; it must be all or nothing.