There have been some incredible speeches throughout history, like 1940’s Winston Churchill, “We Shall Fight them on the Beaches”, and 1963’s Martin Luther King Jr, “I have a Dream”. I love reading these inspiring speeches and being challenged by their incredible leadership in the worst of circumstances.

“Listen up!” This is the cry of someone who wants to get our attention. Have you ever had a teacher or a boss say that to you? If so, we know that they mean business and what they’re about to say is of importance for us. It is this phrase, often translated as, ‘Hear, O Israel’ (shema’ yisra’el) that we come across multiple times in the Book of Deuteronomy

When you are reading Deuteronomy, over and over again you’ll see this heartbreaking declaration. It is a prophetic declaration, it’s pleading with the people, and it’s heartbreaking. God knows the keys to which this nation is going to walk away from Him and in Deuteronomy, He tries over and over again to stop them from doing it.

Deuteronomy, the closing book of the Torah, consists of three main sermons, addresses or speeches, depending on which bible scholar you ask. In addition to this Moses reminds the new generation of the rebelliousness of the Israelites in the wilderness, a reminder of what God has done for them already.