Hear and Respond

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of  G-d.”

Romans 10:17

Introduction

• Scripture deals with the senses often when describing how G-d wants us to respond to Him. Sometimes we miss what is being said because we fail to see the connection between the use of these words and G-d’s work in our live.

• The disconnect of “what we believe” and “what we do” (i.e. the lack of integrity) is often present because of a mistaken view of what grace and faith do and have done in our lives.

• The Reformation rightly cried out “sola fida” (faith alone), and yet allowed unconverted sinners to take solace in a “their faith” – and have no works to show...

• The Jews regard Deuteronomy 6 as the foundation of faith. The “Sh’ma” as the source for G-dly living. They are right.

• Sh’ma

• Deut 6:3-9: sh’ma: hear, heed, harken, obey, surrender will

• Gen 3:8. The response to the voice of G-d was to hide. The first use of this word shows the wrong response. Hearing (“sh’ma-ing”) comes from the voice of G-d (the Word of G-d).

• Gen 26:1-5: “Obeyed” here is sh’ma – notice that the proof of Abraham’s “sh’ma-ing” was that he “kept” G-d’s commands. The word is shamar.

‘Emunah

• Habakkuk 2:4: The key verse of all Scripture. ‘emunah: faith, steady, truth.

• Faith is what G-d gives to those who sh’ma.

• Ex 17:2: The first use of this word shows its function in our lives – steadying our intent – believing, in order to do (Eph 2:8-10)

• Heb 11:6: Faith = Believing that G-d “is” and that He is the Rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

• Ya’akov (“James”) 2:14-18: Although this is Greek, in Hebrew he would have written, ‘emunah without re’eh is dead. Faith without works is dead…

• Faith is not the destination – it has a purpose!

Re’eh

• Deut 11:26: re’eh: behold, to see, to inspect, to perceive, to make visible.

• “Re’eh-ing” is acting upon what is believed. It is showing.

• Matthew 5:14-19: This shows the relationship between “re’eh-ing” (seeing) “good works” and G-d’s commands.

• Ps 34:8-9: The correlation of re’eh and sh’ma are seen here again. Part of re’eh would include “fearing” G-d (visible).

• Deut 6:4: yare: to fear, be in awe

• Deut 6:3: sh’ma, shamar, asah… Hear, keep, do. Shamar and asah are things we re’eh. shamar: to keep, watch, mark, preserve. asah: do, perform, commit

• Deut 6:5: ahab: love. Loving G-d is something we re’eh – “make visible” – it is not about a “feeling”.

• Is 1:18: yakach: reprove, rebuke, chasten. Part of re’eh is to respond to G-d’s chastening.

Summary

• We know that we are saved by Grace through faith. We know that faith has a purpose in transferring us to the Kingdom of Light – but more specifically it serves as a means to steady and make visible what is “believed.” Thus “faith without works is dead” is again a truism.

• Faith comes from hearing the voice of G-d. We see the progression thus:

  • G-d speaks

  • We sh’ma (hear)

  • We ‘emunah (have faith)

  • We re’eh (make seen) with:

  • shamar (keeping His commands)

  • asah (performing His deeds)

  • yare (fearing Him)

  • ahab (loving Him)

  • yakach (responding to chastening)

  • Etc.