INTRODUCTION

1. The Shema of Israel

a) This is repeated daily

b) It is a reminder to Israel

2. The focus of the Shema

a) To declare faith in God

b) To express love for God

4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!

5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. Deuteronomy 6:4-6

 

DANGERS THAT LURK

10 “So it shall be, when the Lord your God brings you into the land of which He swore to your fathers,

to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give you large and beautiful cities which you did not build,

11 houses full of all good things, which you did not fill, hewn-out wells which you did not dig,

vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant—when you have eaten and are full—

12 then beware, lest you forget the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.

13 You shall fear the Lord your God and serve Him, and shall take oaths in His name.

14 You shall not go after other gods, the gods of the peoples who are all around you

15 (for the Lord your God is a jealous God among you), lest the anger of

the Lord your God be aroused against you and destroy you from the face of the earth. Deuteronomy 6:10-15

1. When one has become successful in life

a) Settling down well

b) Living in beautiful cities

c) Enjoying some luxuries

2. Dangers highlighted

a) Forgetting the Lord

b) Forgetting all that He has done for us

c) Forsaking God

d) Turning to idolatry

3. The recompense from God

a) The anger of the Lord

b) The destruction that can result

 

OVERCOMING THE DANGERS

20 “When your son asks you in time to come, saying, ‘What is the meaning of the testimonies,

the statutes, and the judgments which the Lord our God has commanded you?’

21 then you shall say to your son: ‘We were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt, and the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand;

22 and the Lord showed signs and wonders before our eyes, great and severe, against Egypt, Pharaoh, and all his household.

23 Then He brought us out from there, that He might bring us in, to give us the land of which He swore to our fathers.

24 And the Lord commanded us to observe all these [statutes, to fear the Lord our God,

for our good always, that He might preserve us alive, as it is [this day.

25 Then it will be righteousness for us, if we are careful to observe all

these commandments before the Lord our God, as He has commanded us.’ Deuteronomy 6:20-25

1. Remembering the past

a) Being slaves in Egypt

b) Redeemed by God

c) Signs and wonders of God performed

d) Brought into the land of Canaan safely

2. Teaching our children

a) About God

b) About His commandments

c) Highlights:

i) To observe all His commandments

ii) To fear God always

3. The results

a) There will be a good outcome

b) God will preserve us

c) It will be our righteousness

 

OUR CHALLENGES

1. To take heed of the dangers at hand

2. To take preventive action

3. To practise diligently the fear of the Lord