REFERENCE BIBLE VERSES
Deuteronomy 6:4-5 | “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. (ESV)
OBJECTIVE
To understand that to Shema means not only to listen, but to also obey. Thus, to listen to the Lord does not only stop at listening with our heart and soul, but to also obey His words with all our might.
CONTENT
SHEMA: TO LISTEN AND OBEY
- The word Shema, oftenly translated directly to the word hear or listen, is commonly used in the bible. But in most cases, there is a deeper meaning behind the use of Shema over just the action of receiving information through our ears. For example, in the context of a prayer like in Psalms 27:7, the author is crying for help, asking God to pay attention, respond and do something to answer his prayer.
- Exodus 19:5 | Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; (ESV)
- Similarly, in Exodus 19:5, the word obey is translated from Shema Shema, that also means listen closely. When God uses the word Shema, in His point of view, listening is synonymous to keeping the covenant. God wants us to listen and obey. In other words, real listening takes effort and action.
- Interestingly, in Hebrew, there are no words to describe obey. They use the same word Shema. Because to them, listening and doing are sides of the same coin.
- This idea is further confirmed in Deuteronomy 6. Moses commanded us to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. While hearing can often be passive and does not require our strength, our obedience is often followed by an action that may require us to use it.
ABRAHAM OBEYS
- Genesis 22:1-2 | After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 2 He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” (ESV)
- After receiving his long-awaited son by Sarah, God tested Abraham’s faith with a difficult albeit ridiculous command. Abraham did not question God’s command and obeyed him. He was able to do it because he trusted God completely and he knows that He is the one true God. He understood that God has bigger plans than he could ever imagine. When Abraham only expected a substitute sacrifice for the fire, God provided him with that (Genesis 22:13) and blessed him with so much more (Genesis 22:15-18).
- The key to Shema is by realizing that God who commands us will always have our best in mind and to realize it is in our best interest to obey, however hard it may be. Obeying God on our own volition will not be met with disappointments, rather you will be blessed beyond your needs (Deuteronomy 11:13-16).
REFLECTION/DISCUSSION QUESTION
- Does the word obedience have a negative connotation to you? If so, why?
- How do you hear God’s words and how do you know it is Him?
- How do you find the strength to obey God when it is difficult?
REFERENCES