Shema
“Hear, O Israel:
The LORD our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.”
Deuteronomy 6:4-5
The word that means "hear or listen," shema (pronounced "shmah") is an excellent example of the difference between Hebrew, which stresses physical action and Greek and Western culture that stress mental activity. Listening, in our culture, is a mental activity, and hearing just means that our ears pick up sounds. But in Hebrew, the word shema describes hearing and also its effects - taking heed, being obedient, doing what is asked.
The Hebrews understood that we have not truly put what we have heard into our hearts until it transforms our lives as well.
What has God spoken to you about? Are you shema-ing Him? Perhaps something recurs, He is getting your attention. Incline your ears towards Him and hear Him speak. Then be sure to act on it and let God shift you back into alignment.
He who has ears to hear, let him hear and heed My words. Matthew 11:15 AMP
Are you listening? Really listening? (Message version)
So listen and understand what I’m telling you. Matthew 11:15 TPT
Lay Leng writes about the joy and challenges of obedience in Precious Moments on Assignment.
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