Because You Love Me

Gen. 26:24 

And YHWH appeared to him on that night and said, “I am the Mighty One of Abraham,
your father. Fear not, for I am with you, and I will bless you and multiply your seed for the sake of Abraham, My servant.” 

This echos what YHWH had previously said to Isaac:

Gen. 26:4-5 

And I will multiply your seed like the stars of the heavens, and I will give your seed all these lands, and all the nations of the earth will bless themselves by your seed, because Abraham listened to My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes,
and My instructions.”

The blessings given to Isaac were not given for his own sake, but for the sake of his father Abraham. Because Abraham was faithful and obeyed YHWH wholeheartedly, Isaac was blessed.

Abraham loved YHWH (Isa. 41:8; 2 Ch. 20:7). This love was mutual (Deu. 4:37; 10:15). In the same way, YHWH loved Jacob and his children, the nation of Israel (ibid, Deu. 7:8; 23:5; 33:3; 1 Ki 10:9; 2 Ch. 2:11; 9:8; Jer. 31:3; Hos. 3:1; 11:1; Mal. 1:2). 

We are the descendants of Abraham and Jacob if we follow in their footsteps. Like Abraham, we must love YHWH (be His friend). Like Abraham, we must listen to Him and keep His charge, His commandments, His statutes, and His instructions.  

We are given ample reminders in Scripture to love Him (Deu. 6:5; 7:9; 10:12; 11:1, 13, 22; 13:3; 19:9; 30:6, 16, 20; Jos. 22:5; 23:11; Jdg. 5:31; Psa. 31:23; 145:20; Isa. 56:6; Dan. 9:4; Mat. 22:37; Mar. 12:30; Luk. 10:27-28; 11:42; 16:13; Rom. 8:28; 1 Co. 2:9; Jas. 2:5; 1 Jo. 5:1). 

Yeshua and His apostle John mention two things that are inseparable from loving Him: 

1. Obeying Him. Joh. 14:15, 21, 23; 15:10; 1 Jo. 5:3; 2 Jo. 1:6.
2.  Loving others. 1 Jo. 3:17; 4:12, 20. 

Yeshua and His apostle Paul spoke out against those who “obey” Him without actually loving Him. Just as it is possible to “keep Torah” without loving Him, it is possible to be charitable toward others without loving Him.  We know that He is faithful toward us because He loves us. Likewise, we must be faithful toward Him because we love Him.