The Shema‘
– the First Testament declaration of faith (5)

André H. Roosma
2 March 2012

Previously I already payed attention to the word שׁמע - Shema‘ from the creed of Israel, from Deuteronomy 6.
This word reminds me of שׁמות - Shemot - Names; an important word from Exodus 1: 1, and also the Hebrew name of the book Exodus and of the Parasha Shemot – the reading from the first chapters of this book.

This concerns the names of the 12 descendants (benei - ‘sons’) of the patriarchs ’Abraham, Isaac and Isra’el. But not only their names...
The book Shemot deals with all children of Isra’el, the followers of ’Abraham in the faith in his mighty God YaHUaH. By His blessing they became ‘fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them’, as the King James’ translated Exodus 1: 7 so impressively. Even against strong oppression they multiplied.
In particular the midwives Shifrah en Puah demonstrated by their remarkable behavior that they stood in the faith tradition of Abraham (Exodus 1: 15-17). Like Moses’ parents and sister, in fact they took the שׁמע - Shema‘ serious, even before it was written down. They lived from the assumption that their God YaHUaH was greater and more worthy of their obedience than the worldly ruler Pharaoh. By their obedience they co-operated in the safe birth of the human rescuer Moses, according to God’s plan. It is as if God made His big plan of salvation dependent on their co-operation.
Therefore, their names are mentioned explicitly.

This contains an important lesson with regard to the שׁמע - Shema‘. Looking up and listening to YaHUaH Who is greater, requires that He is obeyed more than any other authority. That obedience He uses for the progress of His plan of salvation.

Then there is still another thing about the word shemot that drew my attention. Of course we can simply interpret it as the (feminine) plural of shem - name. Yet in this context I find it interesting to look at this word in the old script: .¹ This can be interpreted as a (final) sign or underwriting of connection with The Name...
Characteristic for the main characters of the Exodus, the children of Israel, was that YaHUaH, the Great Main Character, rescued them from Egyptian slavery and set up a covenant with them.

Striking in all that happened is how God changes things into their opposite. Almost Pharaoh’s fear for them had become disastrous or even fatal to the benei Israel. However, midwives being instructed to kill the boys, had more reverence for YaHUaH and allowed them to live. Next, it was Pharaoh who ordered that all male benei – children – had to be thrown into the river to die a certain death of drowning or being eaten by crocodiles. But... his own daughter became an instrument for their salvation, by pulling Moses – according his name – out of the river. The river, meant to be an instrument of death and destruction in the plan of evil, became an instrument of life and salvation...
In all of that the verbs ‘to see’ and ‘to pull out’ play a great role. Moses’ parents see that he looks good and name him Moshe - pulled out / he who pulls out. The Egyptian princess sees him, has him pulled out of the water and likes him, adopting him as her own son.
Ultimately, it is God YaHUaH Who sees them and connects Himself with them. He provides light and a good vision, and pulls them out. ... As He does to everyone who looks up to Him and is willing to listen. No enemy can defeat Him!