Tiny Devotional for Wednesday, 08-04-2021

 A great good morning to all my friends and neighbors in Internet Land! And to family members who have dropped by, living the Sh’ma.

Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding!
Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
Proverbs 4:5, NASB

Hear, O Israel

What is true wisdom?

Yesterday, I heard a man explain devoting his life to teaching children in assorted jungles (both urban and rain forest). He said his motivation came from the Sh’ma. 

That’s the name of a prayer, taken from Moses’ farewell address to Israel, found in Deuteronomy 6:4-5. 

“Hear, Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” 

In 300 words, I can’t provide a good context for the Sh’ma. I know I can’t, because I’ve been trying for the past two hours. 

How about this:
the rest of Deuteronomy is commentary on the Sh’ma; 
the Book of Proverbs is commentary on the Sh’ma; 
the entire Bible is commentary on the Sh’ma.

Are those words too bold for you? Don’t tell me; tell Jesus. When a scribe asked Him which was the greatest commandment, He answered with the Sh’ma.

Also, check this out:

He reserved His harshest criticism for the religious leaders, the scribes and Pharisees, calling them hypocrites. That’s not what he said to THIS scribe, though. When He saw that this scribe got the point,  He told him “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.”

Smart; educated; wise. The scribe was probably smart, and he was certainly educated, but what brought him praise from Jesus was being wise.

He probably didn’t have any student loans, either, so there’s that. 

Peace be on your household.

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