The Shema and the Pattern of Human Endeavors

The Shema and the Pattern of Human Endeavors

In a teaching delivered at Founded in Truth Fellowship, Matthew Vander Els explores the profound significance of the Shema and how the act of listening and obeying God, or the failure thereof, forms a consistent pattern throughout the biblical narrative. The message begins with a relatable anecdote about replacing his mother's mailbox, highlighting the consequences of not carefully following instructions. This everyday experience serves as an entry point to the central theme: the importance of heeding and acting upon what we are told, especially in matters of faith.

The teaching then transitions to the Shema, a foundational creed in Judaism and also significant in Christianity. Rooted primarily in Deuteronomy 6:4, the Shema states, "Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might." The very first word, "hear," is the Hebrew word "Shema," which encompasses not only attentive listening and engagement but also obedience. Vander Els emphasizes that throughout Scripture, the word "obey" is often translated from "Shema," underscoring that true hearing involves a commitment to follow through with action.

Yeshua (Jesus) himself affirmed the centrality of the Shema. In Mark 12, when questioned about the most important commandment, Yeshua quotes Deuteronomy 6:4-5 and adds, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." He then connects this to a second crucial commandment: "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Leviticus 19:18), stating that there is no commandment greater than these. This pairing forms what many Christian scholars call the Jesus Creed, the core of their faith. The teaching stresses that this creed begins not with the emotion of loving but with the act of Shema – of listening attentively to God.

The sermon delves into the "Pattern of Human Endeavors" by illustrating how the biblical story repeatedly demonstrates the consequences of either listening to and obeying God or choosing to follow one's own understanding. This pattern begins in the Garden of Eden. God gives a clear instruction to Adam regarding the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. However, another voice, the serpent's, enters the narrative, offering a different perspective. The woman listens to the serpent, and the man listens to the woman, despite no direct conversation being recorded between them in the text. This act of disobedience, of failing to Shema God's voice, leads to exile from God's presence and ultimately to death. The speaker points out a wordplay with the Hebrew word "arum," meaning both crafty (as the serpent) and naked, highlighting the unintended consequence of seeking wisdom apart from God.

The theme of listening and obeying, or the lack thereof, continues throughout the Old Testament. King Solomon, in 1 Kings 3:9, famously prays for "a heart that listens" (Shema) to judge God's people and discern between good and evil. God grants his request, showing the value of a heart attuned to divine guidance.

The story of the Exodus further exemplifies this pattern. At Mount Sinai, God offers a covenant to the Israelites, promising that if they "listen to my voice and keep my covenant," they will be his treasured possession, a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation (Exodus 19:4-6). The people verbally commit to listening. Yet, while Moses is on the mountain receiving the Ten Commandments, the Israelites break their commitment by worshiping a golden calf (Exodus 32). This mirrors Adam and Eve's choice, highlighting humanity's repeated failure to Shema and pursue their own desires instead.

Even the story of Abraham in Genesis 12 illustrates the subtleties of obedience. God commands Abraham to leave his home and family. Abraham obeys, but he takes Lot with him, even though Lot was not called to this specific journey. This decision leads to various conflicts and troubles, emphasizing that true obedience involves not only doing what God says but also trusting his specific guidance for others.

Deuteronomy 30:15-20 presents a clear choice between life and death, blessing and curse, directly linked to loving God, walking in his ways, and obeying (Shema-ing) his voice. The passage urges the people to "choose life" by listening to the Lord. Similarly, Isaiah 1:2 poetically calls upon the heavens and the earth as witnesses against Israel, using the word "Shema" (listen) for heavens ("Shemaim" in Hebrew), highlighting their failure to heed God's word.

The teaching emphasizes that the temptation to define good and evil on our own terms, apart from God's wisdom, is a recurring issue. Justifying sin by minimizing it or reframing it does not change its nature. This act of taking the place of God, of asserting our own rule over His, stems from a failure to listen to and obey Him.

The consequence of consistently refusing to Shema the voice of the Lord is spiritual death and exile from God. This pattern throughout the Old Testament reveals the necessity for a new covenant, one where God takes the initiative to transform human hearts. Jeremiah 31 speaks of this new covenant, and Ezekiel 36 prophesies the giving of a new heart, replacing the heart of stone with a heart that listens and beats for God. This new heart fulfills Solomon's prayer for a heart that Shemas.

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Application for Everyday Life

• Pay Attention to Instructions: Just as ignoring instructions for a simple task like replacing a mailbox can lead to messy and undesirable outcomes, ignoring God's guidance in life can have significant spiritual consequences.
• Cultivate Attentive Listening to God: Make a conscious effort to listen to God's voice through Scripture, prayer, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This requires intentionality and a willingness to set aside distractions.
• Obedience is Key: True listening involves obedience. It's not enough to hear God's word; we must also strive to follow it in our daily actions and decisions.
• Discern God's Voice from Other Voices: Be aware that other voices will try to lead you astray. Develop discernment to recognize God's truth and reject messages that contradict His Word.
• Avoid Defining Good and Evil on Your Own Terms: Resist the temptation to justify actions based on your own understanding of right and wrong. Instead, seek God's wisdom and align your perspective with His.
• Recognize Recurring Patterns: Be mindful of the patterns in your own life. Are there areas where you consistently fail to listen to God's guidance, leading to negative consequences? Identify these patterns and seek to break them through intentional obedience.
• Embrace the Jesus Creed: Make loving God with all your being and loving your neighbor as yourself the foundational principles of your life. Remember that this begins with listening to God (Shema).
• Seek a Transformed Heart: Pray for a new heart, a heart that is receptive to God's voice and desires to obey Him.
• Be Mindful of Who You Accompany: Just as Abraham's decision to bring Lot led to complications, be prayerful about the people you closely associate with and ensure they are aligned with God's calling in your life.

Resources

• The Bible

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