Musing - What does Yehovah want from us?

 Hebraic Musing - What does Yehovah want from us?

According to Johanna Hocker,* there are 143 references to our being obedient in the Bible, all translated from the Hebrew word “Shema”.  We usually think of “Shema” translated as hear or listen, but Hebrew words also expect an action or follow-through, which in this case would be obedience.  The well-known use of “Shema” is typically translated as “Hear” in Deut. 6:3-9.   “Hear, O Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your fathers, promised you.  4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 

And if you hear Him, then you are expected to … 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” (NIV)

This is also the best known Hebrew prayer, prayed at minimum three times a day from Deuteronomy 6:4.  “Sh’ma Israel, Adonai Elohenu, Adonai Echad” or “Hear, O Israel: The L-rd our G-d, the L-rd is one.”  A student assured his Rabbi that he recited the Shema three times a day.  The Rabbi replied disappointedly “You mean you only accept the ‘yoke of His Kingdom’ three times a day?!?!”

Moses first spoke these words because the Israelites were surrounded by the false gods of other nations.  Hmm… Does that sound like our situation today?  As God’s people, we need frequent (or constant) reminders of who we serve and to whom we belong.  Since we too are constantly hearing competing claims from false gods, we too need to constantly affirm our loyalty and devotion to the one true God.

In Deuteronomy 6:3, I hear the Lord telling us to hear Him and listen to Him and obey Him “so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey”.  When are we to be listening?
 - While using my heart, soul, and strength  v5
 - Listening to my heart  v6
 - Talking to my children  v7
 - Talking while sitting at home
 - Walking down the road
 - When lying down
 - When getting up
 - Putting symbols on my hands  v8
 - And symbols on my forehead 
 - Seeing them as symbols on my doorposts, v9

Years ago, I decided to obey v9 by affixing a Mezuzah to the doorposts of our home, which I touch & kiss when I enter the house AND also as I leave the house - going out into the world saying, “Thank you Jesus for your commandments”.

Just as we Americans recite our “Pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America”, the Jews say their pledge of allegiance by reciting the Shema three times a day. 

Points to ponder

To whom do we pledge allegiance?  How often?

If we are listening and hearing the LORD, shouldn’t we also be obeying Him?.   

How much time and effort do we expend listening to the Holy Spirit’s guidance?

Does Deut.6:3-9 tells us to be listening and talking about the LORD all the time?

“He who has an ear, let him hear.”  Revelation 13:9 NIV

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                     July 2, 2024
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith”
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

*  Excerpted from Johanna Hocker’s June 17, 2024 message – “What does Yehovah want from us?”