Good morning, Digital Neighbors!

            One of the things Protestants have been talking about for decades if not centuries is having a personal relationship with God, particularly the person of Jesus.  Jesus is the way to know and relate to God the Father. They are not unique in that, but it is well known and often mentioned as a vital part of their living faith.  Personal relationship with God is at the heart of the Bible. God has a personal relationship with Abraham & Sarah, Issaac & Rebecca, Jacob, and Rachel & Leah. (Marrying sisters in hindsight was probably not the wisest of moves but blame Jacob’s Uncle Laban for substituting Leah for Rachel.)  God works with our human realities, and nothing frustrates His plans, they just might not be the straightest of paths.   The personal relationship with God returns centuries later with Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.

            A personal relationship is not an exceptional thing for our ancient Jewish ancestors, but these movers and shakers in faith had one.  As the Covenant unfolded, all the children of Abraham are called to a personal relationship through prayer, sacrifice, and the living of the covenant.  It permeated life for them.  Worship was at various shrines and then at the temple and then in synagogues, it was the community aspect of that relationship, but it was personal and intimate in their homes.  Traditional prayers and ritualistic washing, the adorning of the WORD on doorpost and on their bodies were all reminders of this personal and intimate God.  The Shema is the greatest and most relevant illustration of that personal relationship.