Creator, Father, King #6

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.

ANU, MARDUK, AND ASHUR. Osiris, Ra, and Thoth. Zeus, Poseidon, and Athena. Mars, Apollo, and Mercury.

And that’s just the tip of the polytheistic iceberg.

The ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, Rome, and many others fabricated countless false gods in an attempt to explain the origin of the universe and the mysteries of the human experience. Today, most cultures around the world are not polytheistic like ancient times (although Hinduism still teaches the existence of many gods).

But for thousands of years, God has proclaimed the message clearly through his Word: “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one” (Deuteronomy 6:4, ESV). In ancient Israel, this famous verse was known as the Shema, which is the old Hebrew word for “hear” or “listen”—the opening command of the verse.

Throughout Scripture, God confirms that he is the one true God and that polytheism is a bunch of baloney:

• I am the LORD; there is no other God. (Isaiah 45:5)
• This is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth. (John 17:3)
• There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 2:5)

What’s It Mean?

Why does it matter that there’s one God—and not a pantheon—who created and rules the universe? How should this truth affect our lives?

God answered that in the very next verse following the Shema: “And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength” (Deuteronomy 6:5).

As the only true God in the universe, the Lord deserves undivided rights to our hearts. He requires our utmost allegiance and devotion. Our worship in life is not to be distributed among anyone else. God alone reigns over the universe, and because of this, we should exclusively praise and obey him out of hearts overflowing with gratitude and love.

Through the Shema and all of Scripture, the one true God has spoken to you about himself. Have you heard?

Now What?

Prayerfully ask God to reveal where you might not be giving him your entire heart.

Did You Know?

There were more than two thousand gods and goddesses in the ancient Egyptian pantheon.