November 13, 2016 - The Shema

TONY AND MICHELLE PAWLAK

MEMORY VERSE

"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one." 

Deuteronomy 6:4

Have you and your friends ever played a new game?  What is the first thing you always do? Look at the rules, of course!  Rules are very important to make sure everyone gets along and plays fair. This is as true in running a country as it is in playing a game.  God, in all His wisdom, knew this as well.

Two weeks ago we left off with Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt after God showed His power with the 10 plagues.  So you would think that everything would be smooth sailing now, right?  Wrong!  

After the Israelites left Egypt, the Egyptians went to Pharaoh saying, "What have we

done?  Why have we let our slaves go?  Who will do all the work now?  Let's go and get them back!"  So Pharaoh, with his heart hardened, rounded up all his horsemen and chariots and went after the Israelites.

God had led the Israelites through the wilderness appearing in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.  He had led them until they reached the Red Sea and could go no further.  When the Israelites saw the Egyptian army

coming, they knew they were trapped so they turned to Moses saying, "Why did you bring us out here to die?" 

Moses calmed the people saying, "Do not be afraid.  After today, you will never see this Egyptian army ever again! Watch how the Lord will deliver us today."  Then God told Moses to stretch his hand over the sea.  When Moses did this, the water parted and a dry path through the sea appeared for the Israelites to walk through.  God also moved the pillar of cloud to stand between the Israelites and the Egyptians.

After the Israelites had gone through, God lifted the cloud and the Egyptians ran after them through the Red Sea.  Then God let the water go and it flooded over the Egyptian army; drowning them all! Finally, the Israelites were free from

Egypt once and for all.

After this, Moses led the people to Mount Sinai where he had seen the burning bush.  There, God gave him the 10 Commandments to give to the

people.  However, when the people heard the thunder and lightning and the voice of God, they were afraid.  So God told Moses to have them go back to their tents while He spoke with Moses.  Afterwards, Moses came down from the mountain and gave the people the Law which God had Given him.  Here is how it started:

"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.  Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road,

when you lie down and when you get up.  Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.  Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates." (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)

This is called the Shema by the Jewish People.  Shema means "Hear" or "Listen."  God

knew that the Israelites were about to start a new nation and needed the rules that He was giving them.  The people of Israel still believe this today!