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| The Shema. Source: Brandeis University, Jewish Experience https://www.brandeis.edu/jewish-experience/holidays-religious-traditions/2022/may/shema-explained-kimelman.html |
As the Israelites stood on the plains of Moab preparing to enter the Promise Land, Moses delivered his final instructions to them. After forty years of wandering in the wilderness (Sinai Peninsula) because of their disobedience, a new generation was to inherit the land God had promised to their ancestors. Yet Canaan was filled with polytheistic cultures and numerous gods governing different areas. Knowing the spiritual dangers ahead, Moses reminded Israel of the most important truth they must never forget.
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| Photograph of the Moab plain. source: Wayne Stiles, waynestiles.com |
The declaration, “The LORD our God, the LORD is one,” was a direct challenge to the polytheistic beliefs of Canaan. The surrounding nations worshipped many gods such as Baal, Asherah, Molech, and Dagon, believing that different deities controlled different aspects of life. In contrast, Israel was called to worship Yahweh alone. The Hebrew word echad (one) emphasizes God’s uniqueness and exclusiveness. He is not one god among many; He alone is God, the only God (echad) who created the heavens and the earth, who delivered them out of slavery in Egypt and deserves the complete allegiance of His people.
This truth remains relevant today. Although many people no longer bow before carved idols, there are countless things that compete for God’s place in our lives, and we juggle with those modern gods. Wealth, success, power, social media, desires, pleasure, relationships, and personal ambitions can easily become objects of devotion. The Shema reminds believers that God does not share His glory with rivals. He alone is worthy of worship.
I would like to share the story concerns a person whose experience illustrates this truth. Once there was a native missionary in Sagaing Region, Myanmar, who visited a new proselyte. And once permission had been duly granted, he entered the room. Upon entering the home, the missionary observed hanging in the common room was a portrait of Jesus, but in an inner room stood an image of Buddha. The arrangement revealed a divided allegiance. While the family outwardly acknowledge Christ, they continued to maintain devotion to another object of worship. Such examples illustrate the very danger Moses warned Israel against attempting to serve God while holding onto competing loyalties. Because God alone is LORD, He commands His people to love Him completely. The Hebrew word for love (ahav) refers not merely to emotion but to covenant loyalty expressed daily through obedience. Genuine love for God is demonstrated through faithful commitment, not emotions. Moses explains that this love must involve the whole person.
To love God with all the heart (lev) means loving Him with one’s innermost being, including thoughts, desires, choices, and affections. Jesus later rebuked those who honored God with their lips while their hearts remained far from Him (Matt. 15:8). True devotion begins in the heart.
To love God with all the soul (nephesh) means loving Him with one’s entire life. The word nephesh originally means “throat,” the imagery is powerful: throat is where breath passes, food enters, and cries come out. It is the channel of life or I should call it a “hub” where in and out takes place. In Genesis 2:7 we’ve seen, then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. The Hebrew concept refers to the living person, encompassing every breath, desire, and aspect of existence that makes who you are and who I am. It is a call to dedicate one’s whole life to God.
Finally, to love God with all one’s strength (me’od) is to love Him with all one’s resources, abilities, talents, and energy. The word me’od which means “very,” “much,” “exceedingly.” In Hebrew this strength seems different and unique, it is the same Hebrew word that appears in Genesis 1:31, “God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very (me’od) good.” Here me’od is an adverb meaning very, exceedingly, abundantly. To love the LORD with all your me’od is like loving God with all your very-ness. To love the LORD God with not only heart, soul, but with the me’od, i.e., with the ‘very’ talent, abilities, gifts, intellectual skills, wealth, amounts, which shows the complete and wholehearted love to God. It is a wholehearted commitment that leaves nothing reserved for self. Jesus later identified this command as the greatest commandment (Mark 12:29-30). Deuteronomy 6:4-5 therefore calls believers to examine their own lives. Are our hearts fully devoted to God? Have other things taken His rightful place? Do our choices, desires, and resources reflect our love for Him?
The Shema reminds us that the one true God deserves nothing less than our complete allegiance. He calls us to love Him with all our heart, and our soul, and all our strength, offering Him not merely part of our lives but our entire selves.