In Deuteronomy, Moses prepares the people after their time of training through a series of sermons.
First, He gives a historical recount, then he tells them how to live in the promise land, then the covenant vows are renewed and he dies.
Ajith Fernando unpacks the words "fear", "hear" and "one God" for us from Deuteronomy 6.
To fear God is similar to having faith in God in the New Testament. One who fears God, is afraid of going against what is the best for us. Fear of God is not a life of bondage but fear is a friend that alerts us to dangers. When we make it our goal to please God, it helps us turn away from the way of disasters.
The call to "hear" is repeated 25 times in Deuteronomy and 6 times in the phrase "Hear, therefore, O Israel". Other nations surrounding Israel had idols to remind them of their God but Israel was warned against idols. Instead they had words that were read or told to them, to remind them of God --to remind them how to live. They were told to "be careful" to do them, after all how we live reflects what we truly believe.
The Lord, our God, is one God. God is incomparable. He is united in purpose and will. He is the only God. The Cannanites worshiped many Gods, Baal. The prophets were angry with the Israelites when they had many Gods and railed at them but to those who did not know God, the Apostle Paul dialogued and persuaded. Hear the whole of Ajith's message here
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