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"Shema" - Hear and Obey

Updated: Mar 12, 2019



Did you know that the Hebrew word "Shema" in the Word of God means to Hear and Obey?

When God is speaking for example to Israel and says, "Hear O' Israel", God is not saying to only hear with their ears, but also to obey the instructions that God gives. It is one thing to know what is happening around you or hear something with our ears and it is another thing to obey what God is asking us to do.

James 1:22-25 helps clarify to us what God's expectations are as we grow in our understanding of the Word of God and our relationship with God.

"22 Don’t deceive yourselves by only hearing what the Word says, but do it! 23 For whoever hears the Word but doesn’t do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror, 24 who looks at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But if a person looks closely into the perfect Torah, which gives freedom, and continues, becoming not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work it requires, then he will be blessed in what he does." - James 1:22-25

I want to encourage each of us this week to become not only physical hearers of the Word but doers also. The application of actually putting the Word into practice is a life-long journey and part of our lifestyle.

"6 “Now this is the mitzvah, the laws and rulings which Adonai your God ordered me to teach you for you to obey in the land you are crossing over to possess, 2 so that you will fear Adonai your God and observe all his regulations and mitzvot that I am giving you — you, your child and your grandchild — as long as you live, and so that you will have long life.

3 Therefore listen, Isra’el, and take care to obey, so that things will go well with you, and so that you will increase greatly, as Adonai, the God of your ancestors, promised you by giving you a land flowing with milk and honey.

4 “Sh’ma, Yisra’el! Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai echad [Hear, Isra’el! Adonai our God, Adonai is one]; 5 and you are to love Adonai your God with all your heart, all your being and all your resources.

6 These words, which I am ordering you today, are to be on your heart; 7 and you are to teach them carefully to your children. You are to talk about them when you sit at home, when you are traveling on the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

8 Tie them on your hand as a sign, put them at the front of a headband around your forehead, 9 and write them on the door-frames of your house and on your gates." - Deuteronomy 6:1-9


I encourage all of us this week to meditate on these two passages from James and Deuteronomy.  Take time to sit with the Father and share those moments with Him.  He makes all things new.  Each day is new and fresh, coming before Him.

Blessings as you start your week,


Todd


https://www.dailytorahportion.com/study-guides/c/0/i/31480073/shema-hear-and-obey

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