Bible Pathways 3/3/2001
March 3
Read Deuteronomy 5 -- 7
Moses began his second message (Deuteronomy 4:44 -- 26:19) by remindingthe Israelites that the Lord our God is one Lord: And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul (your entire being), and with all your might (6:4-5).
The Hebrew word translated our God is Elohenu, meaning "our Gods." Elohim, which is a plural masculine form, is the Hebrew word most frequently used for God and occurs about 2500 times in the Old Testament. This, then, is what the proclamation to Israel says: Hear, O Israel: the Lord (Jehovah, the self-existent One) our Gods, Jehovah is One (6:4). This word One (echad) expresses "one" in the collective sense. It signifies not an absolute unity, but a compound unity, such as "one cluster of grapes." It is "one" comprised of "many." The Hebrew word for One Lord is a glorious revelation that the One True God is plurality in unity.
The Bible clearly presents God as being One, yet three distinct Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Let Us make man in Our Image (Genesis 1:26); The Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of Us (3:22); Let Us go down, and there confound their language (11:7); and I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, whom shall I send, and who will go for Us? (Isaiah 6:8).
The Hebrew word echad allows for a unity of more than one. For example, it is used in Genesis 2:24 where man and woman became one flesh and, even with numerous children, they are still called "one" family. In Exodus 36:13 where the various parts became one Tabernacle; and in II Samuel 2:25 where many soldiers became one troop.
The Hebrew word for "one" in the sense of absolute oneness is the word yacheed, which places the emphasis on the meaning of "only." Although yacheed is found in many passages, such as Genesis 22:2,12: Judges 11:34; and Proverbs 4:3, it is never used in reference to the Godhead. Moses had the word yacheed, meaning an "absolute one," available to him; but obviously God led Moses to accurately refer to Himself by choosing echad, the word meaning a compound unity. This fact reveals that those who reject Jesus as fully God, as well as fully Man, are rejecting the true revelation of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
When questioned by His critics as to which commandment was the most important Jesus quoted the Old Testament when He answered . . . The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is One Lord: And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength (Mark 12:29-30; Deuteronomy 6:4-5).
We who have received Jesus of Nazareth as our Savior, the Promised Messiah, and made Him Lord of our lives rejoice that He will soon return to reign as our rightful Prophet, Priest, and King. The Creator of the universe and the God of Israel came in the flesh 2000 years ago to be the final Passover Lamb, offered to reconcile sinful mankind to Himself. When the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the Law, To redeem them that were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts (Galatians 4:4-6).
Christ Revealed: Through the land flowing with milk and honey (Deuteronomy 6:3). This pictures our trusting in Christ who provides our needs. As we seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, all these things shall be added unto us (Matt. 6:33).
Word Studies: 5:17 kill means murder; 6:22 sore means ominous, horrifying; 7:2 smite them means defeat them; 7:13 fruit of thy womb means children; kine means cattle; 7:25 graven images means carved idols.
Pray for Bible Pathway International Shortwave Radio Outreach · Country: Afghanistan (26 million) in central Asia · Major languages: Pastu and Afghan Persian (Dari) · A capital offense for a Muslim to accept Christ as Savior · 99% Muslim; .3% Hindu · Prayer Suggestion: Remember that the Lord is always ready to help you in times of trouble (Psalms 46:1).
Optional Reading: Luke 18
Memory Verse for the Week: Colossians 1:18
