“God is One: how should this truth shape the way we live and believe today?

Bible Law: “To Know that God is One, a Complete Unity” (Deuteronomy 6:4) (CCA2)
Scripture (The Shema):
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.” (Deuteronomy 6:4, ESV)​

This verse, known as the Shema (“Hear”), is the foundational declaration of Jewish faith and one of the most recited passages in Scripture. It commands Israel—and all believers—to know and affirm that God is singular, unique, and perfectly unified.​

1. The Meaning of “God is One.”
The Hebrew phrase is “YHWH Eloheinu YHWH echad”—literally, “YHWH our God, YHWH [is] one.”

“Hear, O Israel” calls for focused attention and obedience, not casual listening.​

“The LORD our God” identifies YHWH (God’s covenant name) as Israel’s exclusive God.

“The LORD is one” (echad) emphasizes absolute oneness: God is unique, undivided, and incomparable—no other gods rival Him.​

Echad can mean “compound unity” (like one cluster of grapes). Still, here it stresses exclusive singularity—one God, not many—and perfect unity in essence—this counters polytheism, declaring YHWH alone as supreme.​

2. Historical and Cultural Context
Spoken by Moses as Israel prepares to enter Canaan, Deuteronomy 6:4 reminds them of God’s uniqueness amid idol-worshiping nations.

Surrounding cultures had multiple gods for sky, fertility, war, etc. The Shema insists: YHWH alone is God.​

Jews recite it twice daily, often covering their eyes to focus solely on God. It’s an oath of allegiance: “YHWH is our God; no others”.​

Jesus quotes it as the greatest commandment (Mark 12:29), linking it to loving God wholly (Deut. 6:5).​

3. Theological Depth: God’s Complete Unity
“To know God is One, a complete Unity” means:

Monotheism: No pantheon; YHWH reigns alone (Deut. 4:35, 39).​

Undivided Nature: God’s essence, will, and character are perfectly one—no inner conflict or parts.​

Exclusive Worship: Loyalty belongs solely to Him—no idols, divided hearts, or “backup gods”.​

For Christians, this unity undergirds the Trinity: one God in three Persons, sharing one divine essence. Jesus affirms it while revealing Himself as divine (John 10:30: “the Father and I are one”).​

4. Practical Implications for Life
Knowing God’s oneness demands total devotion:

Undivided Heart: Love God with all heart, soul, might (Deut. 6:5)—no split allegiances to money, power, or approval.​

Exclusive Obedience: Reject idols (modern or ancient)—anything we fear, serve, or trust more than God.​

Unified Living: Align thoughts, words, actions with God’s singular truth, not cultural relativism.​

Daily Application:

Morning Affirmation: Recite the Shema to center your day on God alone.

Decision Filter: Ask, “Does this honor the One God, or divide my loyalty?”

Witness: In pluralism, boldly affirm: “There is one God; Jesus reveals Him fully.”

5. Challenges and Objections
Pluralism: “All paths lead to God.” Response: Shema demands exclusive allegiance.​

Trinity Confusion: “How can God be one yet three?” Response: Echad allows unity in diversity (e.g., one people, Israel); God’s oneness is essence, not isolation.​

Modern Idolatry: Busyness, screens, and self divide our hearts. Response: Return to Shema’s call for wholehearted focus.​

Summary Table
Aspect Meaning Application Today
Hear, O Israel, pay full attention. Block distractions; focus on God
LORD our God Exclusive covenant God Reject rival “gods” (fame, money)
LORD is one Singular, unified essence, Undivided love, obedience, worship
Deuteronomy 6:4 commands us to know God’s oneness intellectually, affirm it devotionally, and live it wholly—the foundation of true faith in a divided world.