With the generation that was about to enter the Land of Canaan, the Lord made a covenant, not only with that generation, but with generations to follow, that they all might be loyal to Him,

“I make this covenant and this oath, not with you alone, but with him who stands here with us today before the Lord our God, as well as with him who is not here with us today…so that there may not be among you man or woman or family or tribe, whose heart turns away today from the Lord our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations…” (Deuteronomy 29.14–19).

The Lord loved Israel and He wanted Israel to love Him back. The Lord was loyal to Israel, and He wanted them to be loyal to Him. He delivered them out of Egyptian slavery. Therefore, He had a right to make this demand.

Truly, He blesses all the inhabitants of the world. Therefore, He can and does demand exclusive loyalty from all of us.