Bookends

Bookends are some things that we see in various places. There are some that are elaborate. Others are very common. No matter the value of them, all bookends have the same function: to hold some books in place. They may be made of plastic or 14kt gold. Their function is all the same.

I noticed something today as I was reading the Bible. It's amazing how much detail God went to share His heart with us through His Word. I would encourage you to take some time today and allow Him to show you some awesome things through His Word. Back to what stood out this morning...

What stood out was the bookends that were wrapped around the Law of God as it was summarized in Deuteronomy. The first bookend comes in Deuteronomy 6:5 where it says, "Love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your stength" (HCSB).  This is what Jesus pointed to as the first and greatest commandment (Matthew 22:36-37).  This is where it all started.

The other bookend is found in Deuteronomy 30:6 where it says, "The LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the hearts of your descendants, and you will love Him with all your heart and all your soul, so that you will live" (HCSB).

Bookends are meant to hold things together.  In between these two bookends in Deuteronomy, one will find a summary of the Law of God - the rules that God desires His people to live by.  These two bookends not only hold the Law together, they show what God truly desires: our heart. 1 Samuel 15:22 says, "... to obey is better than sacrifice...".  God doesn't want us to just jump through some hoops and follow rules.  He wants a relationship with us.  He wants our heart.  When God has our heart and a relationship with us, the obedience to His commands will come.  No amount of rule-following will give that relationship though; It comes only through His Son, Jesus.

How are these bookends making a difference in your life today?