Back To Deuteronomy
“I have many things to speak and to judge concerning you, but He who sent Me is true; and the things which I heard from Him, these I speak to the world.” John 8:26
I Heard From Him – Read the verse again. Then ask yourself, “How would I understand this verse if I were hearing it in Hebrew?” Some things immediately change. First, in Hebrew, to hear is to obey. Remember shema. So, when Yeshua says, “the things which I heard,” he also means “the things which I obeyed.” To hear without obeying is to have ears that are deaf. Yeshua is not talking about theological propositions or the mysteries of the cosmic beginnings. He is talking about hearing and doing the will of the Father. By the way, you and I can hear and do too. We also participate in shema, if we choose to do so.
This implies that it is perfectly possible to hear and do the will of the Father. It isn’t always necessary to wring our hands, cry out loud, fall to the floor and beg God to please tell me what He wants me to do. He already told us. Doing what we already know is a precursor to discovering what we do not know. It would hardly have been possible for Yeshua to claim that He heard the Father if He were not obedient to all that the Father already revealed. That would be like trying to survey a piece of property without bothering to take any mathematics courses. First things first. And first comes Deuteronomy.
Now notice something else Hebraic in this statement. Shema is connected to dabar (to speak). Hearing (obeying) and speaking go together in God’s world. Yeshua makes the connection for us. What is heard and obeyed becomes reality. God’s word manifest in us is the same as obedience to Him – and that is the proclamation of His message to the world.
Do you want to be like Yeshua? In this aspect of discipleship, you know just what to do. You start by listening and doing. You do what you are told to do. Yes, I know that sounds so authoritarian, especially to citizens of a Greek-based individual rights, “free to do what I want” kind of world. But submission comes from bending my desires to the service of another master. So, you do what you’re told. By the way, God only tells you to do things that you can do and that are in your best interests, so it’s a pretty good bargain. By doing what we are told to do, we are able to speak to the world. What we speak is life – the whole manifestation of who we are as obedient children of the Great Father. What we manifest is His will in living reality. We speak volumes, sometimes without a single word. It was not necessary for Yeshua to proclaim His authority and His divinity. His actions demonstrated both. If we want to be what God has in mind for us, we will have to start where He started, with hearing from God. Only after shema becomes our way of life will we be qualified to deliver God’s message to others.
Topical Index: I heard from Him, kago ‘a eikousa par autou, shema, dabar, John 8:26
As a kid I frequently heard the phrase, “Action speaks louder than words.” That seems to fit today’s Word. If we obey what is heard, then there is congruency. If we do not obey, it says what we really heard is different from what was said. My shoes are pinching my toes this morning.
If I had to boil life down to one word- a word that leads unto life and liberty it would be the one word: “shema.” -Why?
Yeshua demonstrated (by His life and death) the true meaning of this word. He was (is) both our Example and Exemplar. “Shema”- (as Skip has pointed out) – to hear and to obey. (not either/or- “both”).
We read in our Bible, “but, without faith it is impossible to please G-d” (Hebrews 11.6) – In lieu of this, may I ask- is it possible for us to please G-d? (I want to go deep, but I’m walking in the shallows..- just dippin’ my toe for lack of time..)
And again.. “the just shall live by faith”- or some like “the just shall by his faith live”. Where does “faith” (that pleases G-d come from?) What is the source? Where is the ‘gettin’ place?
And again.. “faith comes by hearing, (shema?) and hearing by the word of G-d.” James exhorts us to be “doers of the word and not hearers only”- what happens when we are “doers of the word?” Is YHWH pleased with this? (“if you love me, keep my commandments”) (shema-anyone?).
The quality of our life depends upon the quality of our hearing. (shema). Faith comes by hearing. “We walk by faith and not by sight.” G-d has spoken. Are we listening? -“If any man have ears to hear..”
My prayer today: Holy Father, enable my ears and open my heart to receive and welcome the words you have spoken. Your words are forever words, my Father. Words of life, words of love, words of liberty. A wealth of wisdom and the wellspring of liberty are demonstrated and displayed in the Lamb’s book of life- our Bible. I pray this very day for listening ears and a willing, submissive obedient heart. I will do what you have revealed unto me and I know also my Savior, your Holy Breath will enable and empower me to do so. It is the desire of my heart this day, to follow my Master/Teacher. Lead me in straight paths this day, paths that lead unto life and liberty. Place the songs of victory in my spirit and reveal to me the narrow path that leads unto life. Cause me to remember the words you have spoken, contained within a book, written for our instruction. Through the written word and through the Living Word, I will walk in your glorious freedom,liberty and love. I will be careful to give unto you, mighty Conqueror, the glory, praise and honor that is due unto your holy Name. This prayer I offer in the name that is above all names. Amen.
but what He heard from Him could also be what He heard when He was alone with His Father in prayer. He is walking in unity with the Father by the Holy Spirit just like we can as believers. He said He did nothing from His own initiative. You can’t assume He was thinking of Deuteronomy though that was also some of what His Father had said. I too appreciate Him opening up the Hebrew to us, but I am sensing that it is easy to try to mold it into our own mindset instead of asking Him to give us His revelation by His Spirit and let Him explain what He was thinking. I can’t dictate to another which things from His Father that I think He was referring to in that conversation.
Skip … back to basics! 🙂
Yes indeed it all begins with obedience and this of course entails listening to the orders being given. Yes it is authoritarian but the great thing is that our obedience is what is best for us. Like little children we need to trust and obey. Like little children we need to be tuned into the voice of our parent … tuned into the voice of our LORD!
Today … our LORD blessed me with the strong desire to visit TW and re-engage as a way of resting in HIM! Typically my Shabbat rest results in a break from activities such as this … but today was different! Oh for sure I had some other plans and thoughts when I awoke this morning but I am very happy that I listened to HIS voice. I have been blessed by so many excellent messages and commentaries … I now have simcha (joy) … simply by experiencing the desire that others have for our LORD.
Obedience rather than ignorance is bliss!
B’rachot