The Shema: Israel's Call to Love God
In the book of Deuteronomy, as the Israelites prepare to enter the Promised Land, Moses delivers a series of farewell addresses to remind them of God's commands and expectations.
Among these teachings is what would become the centerpiece of Jewish prayer and devotion: the Shema. This powerful declaration establishes the fundamental relationship between God and His people, calling Israel to complete devotion to the one true God.
The Shema served as a daily reminder that the Lord alone is God and that He demands exclusive worship and complete love. This was particularly important as the Israelites were about to enter Canaan, a land filled with pagan nations and their multiple gods.
Moses knew the people would face constant temptation to divide their loyalties between the Lord and the false gods of their neighbors.
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (NIV):
"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 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. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates."
Moses instructed the Israelites not only to memorize these words but to incorporate them into every aspect of daily life. They were to teach them diligently to their children, discuss them throughout the day, and even physically bind them to their bodies and homes as constant reminders.
This comprehensive approach ensured that devotion to God would permeate every aspect of their existence.
Furthermore, Moses warned the people about the dangers of prosperity and comfort. Once settled in the land, with houses they did not build and vineyards they did not plant, they might forget the Lord who brought them out of slavery in Egypt. Material abundance could lead to spiritual amnesia.
Deuteronomy 6:10-12 (NIV):
"When the Lord your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you—a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant—then when you eat and are satisfied, be careful that you do not forget the Lord, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery."
The Shema established that love for God must be total and comprehensive, engaging every dimension of human existence. It is not enough to acknowledge God intellectually; one must love Him with all one's heart (emotions and will), soul (being and life), and strength (resources and abilities).
Lesson:
The Shema teaches us the vital lesson of wholehearted devotion to God above all else. In our modern world filled with countless distractions and competing loyalties, we too must decide whom we will serve. Jesus himself identified the Shema as the greatest commandment, confirming its eternal significance for all who follow God.
This passage also emphasizes the importance of intentional spiritual formation. Faith is not merely a private matter but should be visible in our conversations, priorities, and daily habits.
Like the Israelites, we must find ways to keep God's Word constantly before us, whether through regular study, memorization, or physical reminders in our environments.
Moreover, the warning about prosperity serves as a reminder that material comfort can lead to spiritual complacency. When life is going well, we often become self-reliant and forget our dependence on God.
The Shema calls us to maintain our spiritual vigilance regardless of our circumstances, remembering that everything we have ultimately comes from God's hand.
In our own lives, we must examine where our ultimate loyalty lies. Undivided commitment to God requires regular self-examination and intentional practices that keep our hearts focused on Him rather than on the many idols that compete for our attention and affection.
Prayer:
Lord God, You alone are worthy of our complete devotion. Forgive us for the times we have allowed other priorities to compete with our love for You. Help us to love You with all our heart, soul, and strength, not just in our words but in how we live each day.
May Your commands be written on our hearts and evident in our lives. Keep us from the dangers of complacency and self-reliance, and remind us daily of Your faithfulness. Guide us to pass on this faith to the next generation, just as You instructed the Israelites. In Your holy name we pray, Amen.