The Lord Is Peace

Jehovah-Shalom occurs only once in the Bible. While Jehovah-Shalom may only be mentioned once Shalom is mentioned many times although  I will only  look at how it relates to our relationship with God.

We find Jehovah Shalom mentioned Judges6:24 by Gideon. Gideon was the youngest son of Joash of the Abiezrites, and the fifth judge of Israel who led the Israelites against the Midianites.

When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon He said “"The LORD is with you, O valiant warrior." (6:12) The Lord had chosen Gideon to deliver His people from the hand of Midian. Gideon prepared an offering and laid it before the angel of God. “Then the angel of the LORD put out the end of the staff that was in his hand and touched the meat and the unleavened bread ; and fire sprang up from the rock and consumed the meat and the unleavened bread. Then the angel of the LORD vanished from hissight.  When Gideon saw that he was the angel of the LORD, he said, "Alas, O Lord GOD ! For now I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face." The LORD said to him, "Peace to you, do not fear; you shall not die."Then Gideon built an altar there to the LORD and named it The LORD is Peace.” Judges 6:21-24 (The rest of his story is found in Judges 6:25 to ch 8)

Gideon knew that the only way to have peace in Israel was reconciliation to God. He knew that they would never have peace until Israel returned to Jehovah, the true and living God. It is the same for us today. Too many times we see peace as meaning, peace from war, peace in the world or just peace around our little part of the world. But that is not the peace God promises (at least not until heaven). No, God’s peace goes beyond the “absence of hostility or strife. Shalom in much of the Bible speaks of a total fulfillment that comes when we experience God’s presence.

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The prophet Isaiah tells us that peace will come to us through Jesus. “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders ; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace...(Is 9:6-7)

Ephesians says “For He Himself is our peace” (2:14) Jesus is our peace. He came to bring peace in our relationship with God. Our sin separated us from God. We were far away from God with no possibility of coming near. But is was the Father’s good please to make a way for us to have peace with God through  the blood of Christ on the cross.( Eph 2:14-19; Col 1:18-20)

Christ took upon Himself our sins, serving as a spotless lamb, and died on the cross so that we might have eternal life with the Father. Because of His willing sacrifice we can now have peace with God.

Because we have peace with God we can rest assured that His peace is never far from us. Even in the midst of turmoil and strife in this world we can still have peace. A peace that says, “Whatever may happen I know my God is in control. I know my God is good. I know that my God will strengthen and sustain me. I know that He will give me peace of heart and mind.”

MP900309178Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace ; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Cor 13:11

And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:7

Grace, mercy and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. 2 John 1:3

 

*All verses taken from NAS unless noted otherwise.

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