Did you know the first time love is mentioned in the Bible is in Gen. 27:4? And, that it is talking about Issac’s love of savory meat? The next two times love is mentioned is in Gen 29:20 & 29:32, where it speaks of Jacob’s love for Rachel and his lack of love for Leah. It is not until Ex. 20:6 that love refers to love of God. The next three times love is used is in Ex. 21:50 and Lev. 19:18 & 19:34 where love of man is talked about: love of master & family; love for neighber and love toward strangers, respectively.

I always thought love of God was mentioned first since it is the first great commandment, so it is interesting that these mentions of love are so varied from the love of God.  So interesting that love of food, spouse, family, friends and strangers are spoken of before the love for God. What lesson can we learn from that?

I think the love we have from and for others, especially when we are young teaches us how to love God. How we treat others is how we treat God after all, for they are who we interact with daily. That love or lack thereof, sets the stage for our whole life and our spiritual life is tied to how we love others. After all, how can we love God whom we haven’t seen if we don’t love people that we have seen?