Periodically, my wife and I will hide little love notes in various places around our house, such as in our cars. Sometimes, I would drop one in her purse and when I traveled, she would often put one in my suitcase.
Today, through technology, we surprise text each other. There is something special about finding an unexpected reminder of our love for each other.
While my wife and I make it a point, even after almost 38) years of marriage, to tell each other “I love you” every day. There is a special blessing when those words come in unexpected ways and places.
The Bible, which is G-D’s love letter to His bride, is filled with Him saying “I love you” in plain and open text. But there are also many, many examples of where G-D has hidden an “I love you” message within the words. In the same way, finding hidden love notes reaches a special place in our hearts. G-D’s hidden love notes can do the same thing.
In my daily Bible reading, as I read through the verses, I always look for these little “I love you” messages. They are often hidden right in front of us, but we miss them. One such example of a love note is found in the very first verse of Deuteronomy:
“These are the words that Moses spoke to all Israel across the Jordan—in the wilderness, in the Arabah opposite Suph, between Paran and Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth and Di-Zahab” (Deut. 1:1)
You might be asking, “Where is the love note?” Think about the context of this verse. The people of Israel are about to enter the promised land after 40 years in the wilderness. They had to wait until an entire generation had passed away because of their rebellion against G-D.
But it wasn’t just the rebellion of the 10 spies that we read about. Over and over, G-D’s loved ones rebelled, rejected and complained about their husband (G-D), even as they prepared to enter into the promised land. With one word, G-D reminded them that His covenant love for them was absolute. As Moses is about to detail their history of rebellion through their journey, G-D says “You’re all still Israel, My beloved.”
The very first word reminds the entire nation that G-D still loves them and His covenant with them is unbreakable. These words travel through time to us today. People, who are like Israel of old, at times walk in rebellion, rejection and complaining. Yet the first verse of Deuteronomy speaks from G-D’s heart to our heart: “I love you, My bride, and My covenant love is unbreakable.”
Eric Tokajer is author of With Me in Paradise, Transient Singularity, OY! How Did I Get Here?: Thirty-One Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me Before Entering Ministry, #ManWisdom: With Eric Tokajer, Jesus Is to Christianity as Pasta Is to Italians, and Galatians in Context.
Curt Landry 
Michael L. Brown 
Rabbi Eric Tokajer 
