Hear O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! (Deuteronomy 6:4)
In the last article, we looked at Paul’s letter to the church in Rome, focusing on Romans 10, where he explained why believers should be committed to evangelism. Our key verse was verse 17, which says, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”
In this article, we will examine another statement made by Moses in Deuteronomy 6:4. But before that, let’s briefly recap what we learned last time.
In our study, we identified and discussed four rhetorical questions that Apostle Paul asked the Roman believers, which are:
● How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed?
● How shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?
● How shall they hear without a preacher?
● How shall they preach unless they are sent?
These four questions split evangelism into four phases. The first phase is when the preacher is sent. Next to that is the stage when the preacher obeys God and begins to preach the Gospel.
The third phase is when someone hears the message and faith comes to him. In the final stage, the hearer believes the message, calls on the name of the Lord, and then receives salvation.
Now here is the lesson: God has called us (both as individuals and as Christian ministries in Israel) to preach the Gospel. Our obedience to this commission gives people the opportunity to hear the Gospel. It is after hearing the message that faith can come to them.
It was at this point that we concluded that since faith comes by hearing, we as believers must keep doing all we can to ensure everyone hears the Gospel. With this background, let’s examine Moses’ words to the Israelites in Deuteronomy 6:4-9.
God’s Message to Israel
Hear O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! (Deuteronomy 6:4)
As I’ve always emphasized, the best way to study a Scripture verse is to take the time to read what was said before and after that particular verse. So, let’s adopt the same approach in examining Moses’ admonition in the text above.
Earlier in verse 1, Moses announced the intent of his message to the people. He wanted to communicate God’s instructions as they were getting ready to cross the Jordan River into the Promised Land. His desire was to prepare the people to listen to God’s instructions. That’s why Moses said, “Hear O Israel,” in verse 4.
That said, now let’s examine the instructions God directed Moses to teach them.
You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. (Deuteronomy 6:5)
As the people were preparing to possess the Promised Land, God wanted them to be more intimate with Him. He desired them to love Him with all their heart, their soul, and their strength. That’s not all! God also wanted them to teach their children to do the same (verse 7).
Now, what sticks out to me in the passage is how God instructed them to go about the teaching. He commanded them to take advantage of every opportunity that came their way. According to verses 7 through 9, they were to teach:
● in the house
● while walking by the way
● when they lie down, and
● when they rise up
They were even to tie the instructions as symbols on their hands and heads and write them on their doorposts and gates.
He Who Has Ears, Let Him Hear
“Hear O Israel” in Deuteronomy 6:4 is God’s call to His people to love Him more dearly and teach others to do the same. Even though it has been thousands of years since this instruction was given, God wants us to do the same thing today.
God wants us to teach everyone about His love for them (Mark 16:15-15; Matthew 28:19-20). He wants us to evangelize the unsaved using every available means. God wants us to tell the world of the salvation Yeshua paid for through His death, burial, and resurrection.
It is up to us to open our ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to us. More than before, let’s yield to the promptings of the Spirit and do the work of the Father.
Besides using social media and other traditional evangelism methods, you can also wear a Yeshua t shirt. Even though that cannot communicate the Gospel message, it can at least inspire people’s interest to have an evangelistic discussion with you.
Wrap Up
God has a message for His people, and He has appointed us as heralds of that message. Like He instructed the congregation in Deuteronomy 6, we are also to take advantage of every noble opportunity so people can hear the Gospel and come to faith.
Praying the Hear O Israel prayer daily, as many Jews do, is good – but God wants us to do much more. Let’s yield our ears to hear this prompting of the Spirit.