“Hear, O Israel”: The Shema’s call to hear the words of the LORD and obey them resonates with both the ancient Israelites and modern believers in Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus). This study of Torah reading עקב Ekev/Eykev (“because,” Deuteronomy 7:12–11:25) underscores the need for humility, reverence and trust in God’s promises over assuming Heaven is blessing based on our righteousness.
In Luke 18:8, Yeshua said that before the Son of Man’s return that “the faith” would be scarce on Earth. From the Greek word for “faith,” pistis, we learn that we need to seek God’s strengthening of the “pillars” that supporting our role as “temples” for God on Earth: trust in God’s promises and justice.
Prayer serves as a vital means of two-way communication with God, grounded in Scripture, and requires humility and persistence. Historical references indicate that early followers of Jesus frequently recited the Lord’s Prayer, demonstrating active faith rather than passive belief. Key biblical examples emphasize the importance of trust and reliability in earnest communion with God. As believers express their faith, they should acknowledge God’s unwavering trustworthiness. Ultimately, our response to God’s promises should be one of acceptance and action, demonstrating true faith.