Ask anyone about the Ten Commandments, and most people might express some familiarity and awareness. And so, when Jesus was asked about the greatest of the commandments or the most important of the commandments, one might have expected Jesus to quote one of the ten laws well known to many. Yet, it did not surprise the questioner that Jesus responded by stating the Shema – “…, Hear O Israel, The LORD our God, The LORD is one. And you shall love the LORD with all your heart, with all your mind, with all your soul and with all your strength.”, Mark 12:28 – 31, as the first and most important followed by loving one’s neighbor as oneself. This according to Mark’s gospel.
I recently had an exchange with a christian brother I frequently share scriptural thoughts, questions and insights in our discussions. And with plenty of excitements he shares a recent experience reading Deuteronomy 6:4 – 5, the Shema. The brother had substituted ‘Israel’ in the Shema with ‘you who wrestle with God and man’, the meaning of Israel, Genesis 32:28. The Shema thus read, “hear ‘you who wrestle with God and man’, The LORD our God, The LORD is one. And you shall love the LORD with all your heart, with all your mind, with all your soul and with all your strength.”
This amplified the Shema’s applicability not just to one nation, but to anyone who’s ever wrestled with God? I look in the mirror and I’m reminded to hear the call - “hear ‘you who wrestle with God and man’, The LORD our God, The LORD is one. And you shall love the LORD with all your heart, with all your mind, with all your soul and with all your strength.”
Christopher Baidoo-Essien
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