There is a direct connection with the preceding verse. The Lord's exclusive love for the Israelites (Deuteronomy 7:7–9) should encourage them to love him with everything they are.
It is significant that the Lord Jesus also emphasizes this exclusivity. In response to a scribe's question, Of all the commandments, which is the greatest?
(Mark 12:28), Jesus quotes Deuteronomy 6:4 and Deuteronomy 6:5. He deliberately begins this quotation with the words: the most important
(Mark 12:29a). Loving this redeeming God must be deeply rooted in a person's innermost being and, from there, become visible in their actions. This is what the Lord may ask of us. After all, he has shown us his wondrous love. It is precisely in Jesus that this shines forth once and for all. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life
(John 3:16).
Whoever has discovered and tasted God's special love in Jesus wants so much to love this good, one-and-only God with all their heart, with all their soul, and with all their strength.
5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.