Explore the depths of the Shema (Deut 6:4–9) and learn why this text is sacred not only to Jews but to Christians as well. Discover why Jesus quoted the Shema when asked what the greatest commandment is. Gain insight into the covenantal, volitional, and emotional aspects of love and what it means to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.” Dr. Mark Futato guides you through the text, shedding light on the Hebrew language and its various interpretations. He then identifies the Shema’s relevance today and how these commands can point us toward Jesus each and every day.
“Ineffable means ‘incapable of being expressed in words.’” (source)
“In the Shema, God reveals to you who you are in your essence as a believer in Christ. You are an overcomer. You are a prevailer. In fact, you are more than a conqueror.” (source)
“So we have Adonai, the Lord, the God who is close, and we have Elohim, transcendence, the God who is far away.” (source)
“The divine name means that deity is imminent. Imminent in the sense of ‘close to us.’” (source)
“He’s the prevailer. And so, God names him Israel. Israel—the yisra means ‘to struggle with,’ and the el means ‘God.’ He’s the one who struggles with God and overcomes. See, you used to be Jacob, cheater, but now you are overcomer.” (source)