REF: TR5EN
From the beginning, God’s purpose in delivering His instruction through Moses was not to establish a religion or create a complex system of beliefs, but to form a people who would know Him, listen to Him, and live according to His will. The Scriptures were given as a practical guide to teach the people how to walk in obedience, in a direct relationship with Him.
When God spoke to Israel on the mountain, the people responded with a clear declaration of commitment:
“Then all the people answered together and said, ‘All that the LORD has spoken we will do.’” (Exodus 19:8)
This moment reveals something fundamental: God was not seeking merely to be known, but to be obeyed. His desire was that His people would hear His voice and act accordingly. This same idea is later summarized in what is known as the Shema:
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!
You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:4–5)
The word “hear” (in Hebrew Shema, שְׁמַע, shamá) does not mean simply to listen with the ears, but to listen with the intention of obeying. It is a complete action: to hear, to understand, and to act. Therefore, when God declares that He would be their God and they would be His people, He is establishing a covenant based on obedience.
This same principle is reaffirmed by Yeshua when He said:
“If you love Me, keep My commandments.” (John 14:15)
Thus, from Moses to Yeshua, the message is the same: the original purpose of the Scriptures is to guide us to live according to the will of God. It is not only about knowing them, but about obeying them, because in that obedience a true relationship with Him is manifested.
Glossary of Key Terms:
YHWH (יהוה) – Yahweh / Jehovah:
The original name of God in Hebrew, known as the Tetragrammaton (“four letters”). It is transliterated as YHWH and commonly pronounced Yahweh. In the NKJV Bible it appears as “LORD.” Its meaning is related to “The One who is” or “The Eternal,” that is, the One who exists by Himself (Exodus 3:14).
Yeshua (ישוע) – Jesus:
The original name of the Messiah in Hebrew. It is transliterated as Yeshua and in English is known as Jesus. It comes from the Hebrew root yasha (to save) and means “Salvation” or “YHWH saves.” It reflects the purpose of the Messiah: to bring salvation to His people (Matthew 1:21).
Shema (שְׁמַע, shamá):
To hear with the intention of obeying. It is not just hearing, but responding with action.
Torah (תּוֹרָה, torah):
Instruction or teaching given by God to guide the life of His people.
All Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version (NKJV).
God bless you,
Ed S.
