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Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord:
Deuteronomy 6:4-15 (NIV)
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INTRODUCTION
Shema-the famous prayer known to every Jew and many Christians. It is named after the first word of the prayer - in Hebrew Shema - which means hear. It means much more than simply to listen. It means to obey. To take action according to God’s guidance.
WALK BY FAITH
We all know that we can perish for the lack of vision (Proverbs 29: 18). I have started my journey of building wealth with God, yet managed to get a bit baffled along the way. A not-too-clear vision probably attributed greatly to it. I got pulled into too many different spheres by listening to too many voices. Then again it might just be what all encounter at least once in their building wealth journey.
Still, the process discouraged me and I grew weary. All of it reminded me of Proverbs 29: 18. The NIV translation of Proverbs 29: 18 goes as follows, “Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.”
KJV translation states it slightly differently, “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. (Proverbs 29: 18, KJV)
Just seeing the promise and agreeing with it will not bring it to pass, sadly. We also have to take action and partner with Him in this vision. Additionally, we need to keep ourselves in restraint even if we do not see results immediately, all according to wisdom. 2 Corinthians 5: 7 (NIV) does tell us to walk by faith and not by sight.
It is believing despite everything telling us the opposite. True faith requires or rather produces action. It brings forth obedience. And above all, to be broader, obedience to His commandments and ways.
SHEMA - OBEY
The Hebrew word Shema, which we can find in the well-known Shema prayer, means to hear. It holds a deeper meaning than simply hearing the word of God.
Tim Mackie in his article What’s the meaning of the Jewish Shema prayer in the Bible? says, “Here, the word Shema means to allow the words to sink in, provide understanding, and generate a response—it’s about action. In Hebrew, hearing and doing are the same thing.” (2)
The staff at Fellowship of Israel-related Ministries confirm the above in their article Shema Prayer: A Hebrew Word and Declaration to Know with the following word, “The prayer itself is named after the first word of this passage. Shema, in the simplest terms, means ‘to hear’. The Hebrew word pronunciation sounds more like “sh’-mah”. But it also means to obey and take action. So, to hear God is to obey God—and to obey God is to hear God.” (3)
So to hear God means, you obey God. If we do not obey and follow, then we are in reality not listening to God.
TO SUMMARIZE
We are asked to walk not by sight, but by faith. And not trust in ourselves but in God and His ways. Shema means to hear, and hearing the Lord is obeying His ways. True faith produces action and the fulfillment of instructions and the commandments of God.
Application
Today we come to you Father, to make a simple request. Make out of us true hearers of the word of God. One’s who listen, obey, go where you tell us to go, and stay if you ask us to stay. Make our hearts so in line with Yours, that the desires of our hearts will align with the desires for our lives that reside in Yours. Thank you, Father, our dear Abba.
SOURCES
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Reuven Kimelman. The Opening of the Shema Prayer Explained. May 2, 2022. Available on https://www.brandeis.edu/jewish-experience/holidays-religious-traditions/2022/may/shema-explained-kimelman.html
Fellowship of Israel-related Ministries Staff. Shema Prayer: a Hebrew Word and Declaration to Know. May 5, 2021. Available on https://firmisrael.org/learn/shema-prayer-hebrew-word-and-declaration-to-know/
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