"1 Give thanks to Adonai, for He is good, for His grace continues forever. 2 Give thanks to the God of gods, for his grace continues forever. 3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his grace continues forever." (Psalm 136:1-3, CJB)
Today is Thanksgiving, a day to remember everything we have to be thankful for. That includes family, friends, shelter, food, a stable job, etc. As Christians, we have even more to be thankful for. We are thankful for God's faithfulness (Deuteronomy 31:6), for His sacrificial love (John 3:16), for His forgiveness (1 John 1:9), for His mercy (Titus 3:5), for His grace (Ephesians 2:8-9), for His salvation (Acts 4:12), and for the home he is creating for us in heaven (John 14:1-3). God wants us to always give thanks.
"16 Always be joyful. 17 Pray regularly. 18 In everything give thanks, for this is what God wants from you who are united with the Messiah Yeshua." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, CJB)
God wants to give thanks in every situation, even in difficult times. So, today let's "give thanks to Adonai, for He is good, for His Grace endures forever." Happy Thanksgiving!
Thursday, November 22, 2018
Wednesday, November 7, 2018
The Shema Yisrael - Part 7
"שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ יְהוָה אֶחָֽד
וְאָ֣הַבְתָּ֔ אֵ֖ת יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ בְּכָל־לְבָבְךָ֥ וּבְכָל־נַפְשְׁךָ֖ וּבְכָל־מְאֹדֶֽך
וְהָי֞וּ הַדְּבָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֗לֶּה אֲשֶׁ֨ר אָנֹכִ֧י מְצַוְּךָ֛ הַיּ֖וֹם עַל־לְבָבֶֽךָ
וְשִׁנַּנְתָּ֣ם לְבָנֶ֔יךָ וְדִבַּרְתָּ֖ בָּ֑ם בְּשִׁבְתְּךָ֤ בְּבֵיתֶ֙ךָ֙ וּבְלֶכְתְּךָ֣ בַדֶּ֔רֶךְ וּֽבְשָׁכְבְּךָ֖
וּבְקוּמֶֽךָ
וּקְשַׁרְתָּ֥ם לְא֖וֹת עַל־יָדֶ֑ךָ וְהָי֥וּ לְטֹטָפֹ֖ת בֵּ֥ין עֵינֶֽיךָ
וּכְתַבְתָּ֛ם עַל־מְזוּזֹ֥ת בֵּיתֶ֖ךָ וּבִשְׁעָרֶֽיךָ"
"Shema Yisrael, Adonai eloheinu, Adonai echad. V'ahavta adonai eloheika b'kol levavka uv'kol nepheshka uv'kol m'odka. V'hayu had'varim ha'eileh asher anokhi m'tzva'kha hayom al l'vavekha v'shinan'tam l'vavekha v'dibar'ta bam b'shiv't'kha b'veitekha uv'lekh't'kha vaderekh uv'shakh'b'kha uv'kumekha. Uk'shar'tam l'ot al yadekha v'hayu l'totafot bein einekha. Ukh'tav'tam al m'zuzot beitekha uvish'arekha."
"Hear, Israel, Adonai our God, Adonai is one. And you are to love Adonai your God with all your heart, all your being, and all your resources. These words, which I am ordering you today, are to be on your heart; and you are to teach them carefully to your children. You are to talk about them when you sit at home, when you are travelling on the road, when you lie down, and when you get up. Tie them on your hand as a sign, put them at the front of a headband around your forehead. And write them on the door-frames of your house and on your gates." (Deuteronomy 6:4-9 CJB)
Throughout the Shema, Moses emphasizes the importance of learning God's commands and passing them on. He tells the Jews that God's commands are to be "on your hearts." He tells them to "tie them on your hand as a sign, put them at the front of a headband around your forehead. And write them on the door-frames of your home and on your gates." He instructs them to "teach them carefully to your children." This is the most important passage in the Torah. When a Pharisee asked Jesus which commandment is the most important, Jesus pointed him back to this passage.
Matthew 22:36-40 (CJB) says:
"36 'Rabbi, which of the mitzvot in the Torah is the most important?' 37 He told him 'You are to love Adonai your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 38 This is the greatest and most important mitzvah. 39 And a second is similar to it: you are to love your neighbor as yourself. 40 All the Torah and the Prophets are dependent on these two mitzvot.'"
This is what God expects from us: love Him and love others. To do this, we must study and learn God's Word. It must always be "on our hearts." We also must pass on His Word to others.
Matthew 28:19-20 (CJB) says:
"19 Therefore, go and make people from all nations into talmidim (disciples), immersing them into the reality of the Father, the Son, and the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit), 20 and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember! I will be with you always, yes, even until the end of the age."
God commands us to tell others about Him and His salvation through Jesus. We should talk about Him "when we sit at home, when we are travelling on the road, when we lie down, and when we get up."
וְהָי֞וּ הַדְּבָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֗לֶּה אֲשֶׁ֨ר אָנֹכִ֧י מְצַוְּךָ֛ הַיּ֖וֹם עַל־לְבָבֶֽךָ
וְשִׁנַּנְתָּ֣ם לְבָנֶ֔יךָ וְדִבַּרְתָּ֖ בָּ֑ם בְּשִׁבְתְּךָ֤ בְּבֵיתֶ֙ךָ֙ וּבְלֶכְתְּךָ֣ בַדֶּ֔רֶךְ וּֽבְשָׁכְבְּךָ֖
וּבְקוּמֶֽךָ
וּקְשַׁרְתָּ֥ם לְא֖וֹת עַל־יָדֶ֑ךָ וְהָי֥וּ לְטֹטָפֹ֖ת בֵּ֥ין עֵינֶֽיךָ
וּכְתַבְתָּ֛ם עַל־מְזוּזֹ֥ת בֵּיתֶ֖ךָ וּבִשְׁעָרֶֽיךָ"
"Shema Yisrael, Adonai eloheinu, Adonai echad. V'ahavta adonai eloheika b'kol levavka uv'kol nepheshka uv'kol m'odka. V'hayu had'varim ha'eileh asher anokhi m'tzva'kha hayom al l'vavekha v'shinan'tam l'vavekha v'dibar'ta bam b'shiv't'kha b'veitekha uv'lekh't'kha vaderekh uv'shakh'b'kha uv'kumekha. Uk'shar'tam l'ot al yadekha v'hayu l'totafot bein einekha. Ukh'tav'tam al m'zuzot beitekha uvish'arekha."
"Hear, Israel, Adonai our God, Adonai is one. And you are to love Adonai your God with all your heart, all your being, and all your resources. These words, which I am ordering you today, are to be on your heart; and you are to teach them carefully to your children. You are to talk about them when you sit at home, when you are travelling on the road, when you lie down, and when you get up. Tie them on your hand as a sign, put them at the front of a headband around your forehead. And write them on the door-frames of your house and on your gates." (Deuteronomy 6:4-9 CJB)
Throughout the Shema, Moses emphasizes the importance of learning God's commands and passing them on. He tells the Jews that God's commands are to be "on your hearts." He tells them to "tie them on your hand as a sign, put them at the front of a headband around your forehead. And write them on the door-frames of your home and on your gates." He instructs them to "teach them carefully to your children." This is the most important passage in the Torah. When a Pharisee asked Jesus which commandment is the most important, Jesus pointed him back to this passage.
Matthew 22:36-40 (CJB) says:
"36 'Rabbi, which of the mitzvot in the Torah is the most important?' 37 He told him 'You are to love Adonai your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 38 This is the greatest and most important mitzvah. 39 And a second is similar to it: you are to love your neighbor as yourself. 40 All the Torah and the Prophets are dependent on these two mitzvot.'"
This is what God expects from us: love Him and love others. To do this, we must study and learn God's Word. It must always be "on our hearts." We also must pass on His Word to others.
Matthew 28:19-20 (CJB) says:
"19 Therefore, go and make people from all nations into talmidim (disciples), immersing them into the reality of the Father, the Son, and the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit), 20 and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember! I will be with you always, yes, even until the end of the age."
God commands us to tell others about Him and His salvation through Jesus. We should talk about Him "when we sit at home, when we are travelling on the road, when we lie down, and when we get up."
Tuesday, November 6, 2018
The Shema Yisrael - Part 6
"וּכְתַבְתָּ֛ם עַל־מְזוּזֹ֥ת בֵּיתֶ֖ךָ וּבִשְׁעָרֶֽיךָ"
"Ukh'tav'tam al m'zuzot beitekha uvish'arekha"
"And write them on the door-frames of your house and on your gates." (Deuteronomy 6:9, CJB)
In verse 9 of the Shema, Moses instructs the Jews to put the commandments on their door frames and gates. This is done with the mezuzah. A mezuzah (pl. "mezuzot" ) is a small scroll with the Shema written on it. It is inside a small compartment that attaches to the door frame.
This is a Messianic mezuzah. It has the Messianic Roots symbol - the menorah, the Star of David, and the Ichthus.
When Jews enter their homes, or the homes of other Jews, they kiss their fingers, then touch the mezuzah, to show their reverence for God's commandments. The mezuzah is another reminder for the Jews that they are to constantly be thinking about God's commandments. We also should be constantly thinking about God's commands. Our obedience to God does not save us. We are obedient because of our salvation.
John 14:15 (CJB) says:
"If you love me, you will keep my commands."
What are God's commands for us?
John 15:9-12, 17 (CJB) says
"9 Just as my Father has loved me, I too have loved you; so stay in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will stay in my love - just as I have kept my Father's commands and stay in His love. 11 I have said this to you so that my joy may be in you, and your joy be complete. 12 This is my command: that you keep on loving each other just as I have loved you...17 This is what I command you: keep loving each other!"
The Jews literally put God's commands on their door frames. We are to put His commands on the "door frames" of our hearts. They should be the focus of our lives. We study the Scriptures, then put them into action.
"Ukh'tav'tam al m'zuzot beitekha uvish'arekha"
"And write them on the door-frames of your house and on your gates." (Deuteronomy 6:9, CJB)
In verse 9 of the Shema, Moses instructs the Jews to put the commandments on their door frames and gates. This is done with the mezuzah. A mezuzah (pl. "mezuzot" ) is a small scroll with the Shema written on it. It is inside a small compartment that attaches to the door frame.
This is a Messianic mezuzah. It has the Messianic Roots symbol - the menorah, the Star of David, and the Ichthus.
John 14:15 (CJB) says:
"If you love me, you will keep my commands."
What are God's commands for us?
John 15:9-12, 17 (CJB) says
"9 Just as my Father has loved me, I too have loved you; so stay in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will stay in my love - just as I have kept my Father's commands and stay in His love. 11 I have said this to you so that my joy may be in you, and your joy be complete. 12 This is my command: that you keep on loving each other just as I have loved you...17 This is what I command you: keep loving each other!"
The Jews literally put God's commands on their door frames. We are to put His commands on the "door frames" of our hearts. They should be the focus of our lives. We study the Scriptures, then put them into action.
Monday, November 5, 2018
The Shema Yisrael - Part 5
"וּקְשַׁרְתָּ֥ם לְא֖וֹת עַל־יָדֶ֑ךָ וְהָי֥וּ לְטֹטָפֹ֖ת בֵּ֥ין עֵינֶֽיךָ"
"Uk'shar'tam l'ot al yadekha v'hayu l'totafot bein einekha"
"Tie them on your hand as a sign, put them at the front of a headband around your forehead." (Deuteronomy 6:8, CJB)
In verse 8 of the Shema, Moses instructs the Jews to bind the commandments to their hands and foreheads, further impressing on them that they are to constantly think of God's Word. The Jews do indeed bind the commandments to their hands and foreheads. At certain times they wear tefillin, leather straps with small boxes attached to them. Inside the boxes are parchments with passages from the Torah. There are four passages on the parchments: the Kadesh (Exodus 13:1-10), the Vehayah ki yeviacha (Exodus 13:11-16), the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-9), and the Vehayah (Deuteronomy 11:13-21). The first two remind the Jews of God delivering them from slavery in Egypt, the third instructs them to love and obey God, and the fourth assures them of God's promises to them so long as they follow and obey Him.
The word "tefillin" comes from the root word "pallal," which means "pray." The Jews recite the Shema when they put on their tefillin. They wear the tefillin during the morning prayers. Tefillin are a constant reminder tot he Jews to pray, to communicate with God. Prayer is important for us, too.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (CJB) says:
"16 Always be joyful. 17 Pray regularly. 18 In everything give thanks, for this is what God wants from you who are united the the Messiah Yeshua."
Prayer is communication with God. Jesus set the example for us. He prayed regularly. In fact, Jesus prayed for us.
John 17:20-21 (CJB) says:
"20 I pray not only for these (the Disciples), but also for those who will trust in me because of their word, 21 that they may all be one. Just as You, Father, are united with me and I with You, I pray that they may be united with us, so that the world may believe that You sent me."
The Jews wear the tefillin in obedience to God's command, and to remind them to pray regularly. We, too, must remember to pray often. We must communicate with our Father, as Jesus did.
"Uk'shar'tam l'ot al yadekha v'hayu l'totafot bein einekha"
"Tie them on your hand as a sign, put them at the front of a headband around your forehead." (Deuteronomy 6:8, CJB)
In verse 8 of the Shema, Moses instructs the Jews to bind the commandments to their hands and foreheads, further impressing on them that they are to constantly think of God's Word. The Jews do indeed bind the commandments to their hands and foreheads. At certain times they wear tefillin, leather straps with small boxes attached to them. Inside the boxes are parchments with passages from the Torah. There are four passages on the parchments: the Kadesh (Exodus 13:1-10), the Vehayah ki yeviacha (Exodus 13:11-16), the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-9), and the Vehayah (Deuteronomy 11:13-21). The first two remind the Jews of God delivering them from slavery in Egypt, the third instructs them to love and obey God, and the fourth assures them of God's promises to them so long as they follow and obey Him.
The word "tefillin" comes from the root word "pallal," which means "pray." The Jews recite the Shema when they put on their tefillin. They wear the tefillin during the morning prayers. Tefillin are a constant reminder tot he Jews to pray, to communicate with God. Prayer is important for us, too.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (CJB) says:
"16 Always be joyful. 17 Pray regularly. 18 In everything give thanks, for this is what God wants from you who are united the the Messiah Yeshua."
Prayer is communication with God. Jesus set the example for us. He prayed regularly. In fact, Jesus prayed for us.
John 17:20-21 (CJB) says:
"20 I pray not only for these (the Disciples), but also for those who will trust in me because of their word, 21 that they may all be one. Just as You, Father, are united with me and I with You, I pray that they may be united with us, so that the world may believe that You sent me."
The Jews wear the tefillin in obedience to God's command, and to remind them to pray regularly. We, too, must remember to pray often. We must communicate with our Father, as Jesus did.
Sunday, November 4, 2018
The Shema Yisrael - Part 4
"וְשִׁנַּנְתָּ֣ם לְבָנֶ֔יךָ וְדִבַּרְתָּ֖ בָּ֑ם בְּשִׁבְתְּךָ֤ בְּבֵיתֶ֙ךָ֙ וּבְלֶכְתְּךָ֣ בַדֶּ֔רֶךְ וּֽבְשָׁכְבְּךָ֖ וּבְקוּמֶֽךָ"
"V'shinan'tam l'vavekha v'dibar'ta bam b'shiv't'kha b'veitekha uv'lekh't'kha vaderekh uv'shakh'b'kha uv'kumekha."
"And you are to teach them carefully to your children. You are to talk about them when you sit at home, when you are travelling on the road, when you lie down, and when you get up." (Deuteronomy 6:7, CJB)
In verse 7 of the Shema, Moses commands the Jews to pass the Torah on to their children. They were to speak of it "when you sit at home, when you are travelling on the road, when you lie down, and when you get up." In other words, they were to teach their children about it constantly. It was not to be part of their lives; it was to surround everything in their lives. Parents are still supposed to lead their children to God. Proverbs 22:6 (CJB) says:
"Train up a child in the way he should go; and, even when old, he will not swerve from it."
Matthew 19:14 (CJB) says:
"However, Yeshua said, 'Let the children come to me, don't stop them, for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these.'"
Before the Jews could pass the Torah to their children, however, they had to make sure they were following it themselves. Moses first gave them the command that the Torah was to be "on your hearts." (Deuteronomy 6:6, CJB) They were to learn it and live it, and then pass it on to their children, in both their words and their actions. We, too, must make sure that we are following God when we tell others about Him. James 2:17 (CJB) says:
"Thus, faith by itself, unaccompanied by actions, is dead."
We must back up our faith by our actions. We are not perfect; we will make mistakes. We will, at times, be unkind, selfish, prideful, and so on. That is part of being human. But people should be able to tell, by our words and actions, that we are followers of Jesus. Matthew 5:16 (CJB) says:
"In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they may see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven."
We must have His commands "on our hearts" and live them out so that others will listen when we speak about them "when we sit at home, when we are travelling on the road, when we lie down, and when we get up."
"V'shinan'tam l'vavekha v'dibar'ta bam b'shiv't'kha b'veitekha uv'lekh't'kha vaderekh uv'shakh'b'kha uv'kumekha."
"And you are to teach them carefully to your children. You are to talk about them when you sit at home, when you are travelling on the road, when you lie down, and when you get up." (Deuteronomy 6:7, CJB)
In verse 7 of the Shema, Moses commands the Jews to pass the Torah on to their children. They were to speak of it "when you sit at home, when you are travelling on the road, when you lie down, and when you get up." In other words, they were to teach their children about it constantly. It was not to be part of their lives; it was to surround everything in their lives. Parents are still supposed to lead their children to God. Proverbs 22:6 (CJB) says:
"Train up a child in the way he should go; and, even when old, he will not swerve from it."
Matthew 19:14 (CJB) says:
"However, Yeshua said, 'Let the children come to me, don't stop them, for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these.'"
Before the Jews could pass the Torah to their children, however, they had to make sure they were following it themselves. Moses first gave them the command that the Torah was to be "on your hearts." (Deuteronomy 6:6, CJB) They were to learn it and live it, and then pass it on to their children, in both their words and their actions. We, too, must make sure that we are following God when we tell others about Him. James 2:17 (CJB) says:
"Thus, faith by itself, unaccompanied by actions, is dead."
We must back up our faith by our actions. We are not perfect; we will make mistakes. We will, at times, be unkind, selfish, prideful, and so on. That is part of being human. But people should be able to tell, by our words and actions, that we are followers of Jesus. Matthew 5:16 (CJB) says:
"In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they may see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven."
We must have His commands "on our hearts" and live them out so that others will listen when we speak about them "when we sit at home, when we are travelling on the road, when we lie down, and when we get up."
Saturday, November 3, 2018
The Shema Yisrael - Part 3
"וְהָי֞וּ הַדְּבָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֗לֶּה אֲשֶׁ֨ר אָנֹכִ֧י מְצַוְּךָ֛ הַיּ֖וֹם עַל־לְבָבֶֽךָ"
"V'hayu had'varim ha'eileh asher anokhi m'tzva'kha hayom al l'vavekha"
"These words, which I am ordering you today, are to be on your heart;" (Deuteronomy 6:6 CJB)
In verse 6 of the Shema, Moses instructs the Jews to learn the commands of the Torah. The Jews were not to simply learn the Torah by rote, however; it was to be "on your heart." They were to live it out. Their obedience to the Torah did not save them; they were saved by faith. Their obedience was the result of their faith. Since they were God's children, they were to obey Him. We, too, are to obey Him.
The first step in the Jews' obedience was learning; they had to learn God's commands. So, they memorized the Torah. Memorization is important for us, too. Psalm 119:10-11 (CJB) says:
"10 I seek You with all my heart; don't let me stray from Your mitzvot (commands). 11 I treasure Your Word in my heart, so that I won't sin against You."
1 Peter 3:15 (CJB) says:
"But treat the Messiah as holy, as Lord in your hearts; while remaining always ready to give a reasoned answer to anyone who asks you to explain the hope you have in you - yet with humility and fear."
We must learn the Scripture so that we are ready to obey God's command to spread the Gospel and give "a reasoned answer." God's Word is to be "on our hearts."
"V'hayu had'varim ha'eileh asher anokhi m'tzva'kha hayom al l'vavekha"
"These words, which I am ordering you today, are to be on your heart;" (Deuteronomy 6:6 CJB)
In verse 6 of the Shema, Moses instructs the Jews to learn the commands of the Torah. The Jews were not to simply learn the Torah by rote, however; it was to be "on your heart." They were to live it out. Their obedience to the Torah did not save them; they were saved by faith. Their obedience was the result of their faith. Since they were God's children, they were to obey Him. We, too, are to obey Him.
The first step in the Jews' obedience was learning; they had to learn God's commands. So, they memorized the Torah. Memorization is important for us, too. Psalm 119:10-11 (CJB) says:
"10 I seek You with all my heart; don't let me stray from Your mitzvot (commands). 11 I treasure Your Word in my heart, so that I won't sin against You."
1 Peter 3:15 (CJB) says:
"But treat the Messiah as holy, as Lord in your hearts; while remaining always ready to give a reasoned answer to anyone who asks you to explain the hope you have in you - yet with humility and fear."
We must learn the Scripture so that we are ready to obey God's command to spread the Gospel and give "a reasoned answer." God's Word is to be "on our hearts."
Friday, November 2, 2018
The Shema Yisrael - Part 2
וְאָ֣הַבְתָּ֔ אֵ֖ת יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ בְּכָל־לְבָבְךָ֥ וּבְכָל־נַפְשְׁךָ֖ וּבְכָל־מְאֹדֶֽך
"v'ahavta adonai eloheika b'kol levavka uv'kol nepheshka uv'kol m'odka"
"And you are to love Adonai your God with all your heart, all your being, and all your resources." (Deuteronomy 6:5, CJB)
In verse 5 of the Shema, Moses changes the way he addresses the assembly. In verse 4, he uses the first person plural "our God." In verse 5, he uses the second person "you." Unlike English, Hebrew has plural forms of the second person. In this verse, however, although he addressing the entire assembly, Moses uses the singular form rather than the plural. My Hebrew teacher in college explained to me that this is to make the command personal. The entire nation was called to love and obey God, but Moses also commanded them as individuals to love and obey God. It was a personal choice. Each person had to make that choice. It is the same for us today. Being a member of church does not save us. We each must choose to follow God.
"For God so loved the world that he gave His only and unique Son, so that everyone who trusts in Him may have eternal life, instead of being utterly destroyed." (John 3:16, CJB)
This is a personal choice that we all must make. Jesus died for everyone. He offers salvation to all people. We each must choose whether or not to accept it.
"v'ahavta adonai eloheika b'kol levavka uv'kol nepheshka uv'kol m'odka"
"And you are to love Adonai your God with all your heart, all your being, and all your resources." (Deuteronomy 6:5, CJB)
In verse 5 of the Shema, Moses changes the way he addresses the assembly. In verse 4, he uses the first person plural "our God." In verse 5, he uses the second person "you." Unlike English, Hebrew has plural forms of the second person. In this verse, however, although he addressing the entire assembly, Moses uses the singular form rather than the plural. My Hebrew teacher in college explained to me that this is to make the command personal. The entire nation was called to love and obey God, but Moses also commanded them as individuals to love and obey God. It was a personal choice. Each person had to make that choice. It is the same for us today. Being a member of church does not save us. We each must choose to follow God.
"For God so loved the world that he gave His only and unique Son, so that everyone who trusts in Him may have eternal life, instead of being utterly destroyed." (John 3:16, CJB)
This is a personal choice that we all must make. Jesus died for everyone. He offers salvation to all people. We each must choose whether or not to accept it.
Thursday, November 1, 2018
The Shema Yisrael - Part 1
שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ יְהוָה אֶחָֽד
"Shema Yisrael, Adonai eloheinu, Adonai echad."
"Hear, Israel, Adonai our God, Adonai is one." (Deuteronomy 6:4 CJB)
The Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-9) is a very important passage to the Jews. They recite it at least twice daily; morning and evening. Each verse is significant. Verse 4 begins with a command: "Shema." This is the imperative form of the verb "to hear." Moses is commanding the Jews to listen closely to what he is telling them. In this verse, he addresses the entire assembly and refers to God as "our God." God is for everyone. Anyone can come to him. Romans 10:8-13 (CJB) says:
8 "What, then, does it say? 'The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart' - that is, the word about trust, which we proclaim, namely 9 that if you acknowledge publicly with your mouth that Yeshua is Lord and trust in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be delivered. 10 For with the heart one goes on trusting and thus continues toward righteousness, while with the mouth one keeps on making public acknowledgement and thus continues towards deliverance. 11 For the passage quoted says that everyone who rests his trust on Him will not be humiliated. 12 That means that there is no difference between Jew and Gentile - Adonai is the same for everyone, rich toward everyone who calls on Him, 13 since everyone who calls on the name of Adonai will be delivered. "
"Adonai our God, Adonai is one." There is one God, and he is for everyone, Jews and Gentiles. "Everyone who calls on the name of Adonai will be delivered."
"Shema Yisrael, Adonai eloheinu, Adonai echad."
"Hear, Israel, Adonai our God, Adonai is one." (Deuteronomy 6:4 CJB)
The Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-9) is a very important passage to the Jews. They recite it at least twice daily; morning and evening. Each verse is significant. Verse 4 begins with a command: "Shema." This is the imperative form of the verb "to hear." Moses is commanding the Jews to listen closely to what he is telling them. In this verse, he addresses the entire assembly and refers to God as "our God." God is for everyone. Anyone can come to him. Romans 10:8-13 (CJB) says:
8 "What, then, does it say? 'The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart' - that is, the word about trust, which we proclaim, namely 9 that if you acknowledge publicly with your mouth that Yeshua is Lord and trust in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be delivered. 10 For with the heart one goes on trusting and thus continues toward righteousness, while with the mouth one keeps on making public acknowledgement and thus continues towards deliverance. 11 For the passage quoted says that everyone who rests his trust on Him will not be humiliated. 12 That means that there is no difference between Jew and Gentile - Adonai is the same for everyone, rich toward everyone who calls on Him, 13 since everyone who calls on the name of Adonai will be delivered. "
"Adonai our God, Adonai is one." There is one God, and he is for everyone, Jews and Gentiles. "Everyone who calls on the name of Adonai will be delivered."
Introduction
I created this blog because of my interest in Judaism. I am Baptist, but I have been fascinated by Judaism for most of my life. I hope to teach Gentile Christians about the Jewish roots of Christianity. Many are unfamiliar with their roots. Many think that the Tanak (Old Testament) is no longer necessary or valid since the death and resurrection of Jesus. This is not the case. The Tanak constantly points us to the New Testament. There are fore-shadowings of Jesus all throughout the Tanak. The various holidays and observances may seem irrelevant to Gentiles, but they, too, are important. This is the purpose of this blog: to help Gentile Christians connect with the Jewish roots of their faith.
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