Jehovah Shalom, The Lord is Peace!
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Introduction
Introduction
Our next name or title of God for our consideration is Jehovah Shalom. The word “shalom” is the Hebrew word for “peace.” “Shalom” is found 236 times in the Old Testament. In English, it is most often translates as peace. However, at times, the English translators also used the words “well,” peaceable/peaceably,” “welfare,” “prosperity/prosperous,” “salute/saluted,” safe/safely,” and “in perfect peace” as well. As you can see, the basic underlying idea is “a state of being safe or free from danger.” Just recently, I mentioned the fact that the world is always seeking peace. There is deep desire that arises from every persons heart to feel safe.
Understanding the Word “Shalom”
Understanding the Word “Shalom”
The first use of the word “shalom” is found in Genesis 15:15
15 And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.
The context of this verse is God reaffirming His covenant with Abraham. If you recall, God promised to make Abraham the father of a great nation. There was only one problem. Abram and Sarai were without child and unable to have children. In this chapter, Abraham questions God’s promise asking how in the world is this going to happen! God assures Abraham it will happen. God goes on to speak of Abraham’s descendants becoming in number as the stars in the sky. Later, He prophesies how the nation of Israel will be servants in the land of Egypt. Yet Abraham would not see any of this due to the fact that he will already be with his “fathers in peace.” In other words, he will have eternal “peace.”
Later, this word is used again as a greeting which became common among the Jews even today.
20 And the old man said, Peace be with thee; howsoever let all thy wants lie upon me; only lodge not in the street.
Shalom or peace is the most common form of greeting even in Israel today. We often greet people with “Good morning (afternoon, evening)!” so it is custom among Jews to say “Peace be to thy house” when entering someone’s home.
There is interesting correlation between Jehovah M’Kaddesh and Jehovah-Shalom. Jehovah M’Kaddesh means Jehovah who sanctifies. Here is what is interesting! The name Jehovah M’Kaddesh was used of God 200 years before Jehovah-Shalom. As we are going to see in a few moments, Jehovah-Shalom was used by Gideon. Israel already knew God as the One who sanctifies. However, after the death of Joshua, they forgot about Him as the One who sanctifies. In doing so, they turned to many heathen false gods and fell into deep sin. Along with their sin came God’s judgment which brought constant turmoil, governmental upheaval, constant oppression, and civil strife. It was during this time they longed for nothing but peace.
Speaking of the Book of Judges, you know that Israel was caught in vicious cycle. They would abandon God and commit great acts of sin against Him. Eventually, they would repent seeking His forgiveness and intervention. It was during one of these cycles that young Gideon comes upon the scene. Israel was under great oppression from the Midianites. For seven long years, the Midianites dominated the Jews causing pain and despair. If you know the story, you will remember that Gideon is in the fields working at threshing wheat. While he is working, an angel of the LORD appears to him. God then reveals how He has chosen Gideon to be the next judge of Israel delivering them from the Midianites. Gideon pleads with God saying that he is unfit for such a task as he is not a military man. God reassures him the He would be him and lead him to victory. God then performs a miracle by creating fire out of some rocks which consumed some meat and unleavened cakes. Upon seeing this miracle, Gideon is fully convinced that God is there in his presecne and completely surrenders to God’s will. It is then that we read Judges 6:24
24 Then Gideon built an altar there unto the Lord, and called it Jehovah-shalom: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abi-ezrites.
The name giving here is “Jehovah-shalom” or literally translated “Jehovah (YHWH) is peace.” The implication being that Jehovah would bring peace to all who will return to Him. You see God alone is the Author and Giver of peace for He is peace.
From that moment on, we see Gideon start leading with great confidence knowing that the God of peace was with him.
When we come to the New Testament, we find the same application of peace to the Lord Jesus. You see peace is not a virtue of God, but an attribute. In other words, He is peace.
Thus, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is God, is the personification of peace itself.
Thus, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is God, is the personification of peace itself.
Note these phrase applied to Christ.
Christ is the God of Peace!
Christ is the God of Peace!
33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
Christ is the VERY God of Peace!
Christ is the VERY God of Peace!
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The word “very” means “he himself and no other.” He is peace and there is no other. You cannot find peace outside of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Christ is OUR Peace!
Christ is OUR Peace!
14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
It is amazing to realize that Christ not only preached peace, but He himself made peace possible by shedding His blood upon the cross. Yet, on top of all that, He Himself is peace. Thus, peace is not a feeling or an emotion. It is not an experience or a possession. No, peace is God, God is Christ, and they are the embodiment of peace. Remember when Christ said the following.
27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
His statement “my peace I give unto you” was not a reference to some feeling or emotion. No, it was statement that He was literally giving Himself to us. What He is and what He bestows on those who believe is definitely something the world cannot provide.
Ralph Waldo Emerson, who abandoned God’s word, said “Nothing can bring peace but yourself.” Christ said “My peace I give unto you.”
Here is the point!
True peace can only be found in the God of peace. He is Jehovah-Shalom.
William Cowper who is famous for writing the great words of the hymn There Is A Fountain also wrote these words.
“They may assault, they may distress;
But cannot quench Thy love to me,
Nor rob me of the Lord my Peace!”
Indeed, the such peace, peace, wonderful peace is seen in all the of the Divine Trinity.
7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things.
15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
The book of Isaiah shows us a comprehensive understanding of Jehovah-Shalom.
The book of Isaiah shows us a comprehensive understanding of Jehovah-Shalom.
He is the Procurer of Peace
He is the Procurer of Peace
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: The chastisement of our peace was upon him; And with his stripes we are healed.
He is the Personification of Peace
He is the Personification of Peace
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: And the government shall be upon his shoulder: And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
He is the Publisher of Peace
He is the Publisher of Peace
7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; That bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; That saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
He is the Perfection of Peace
He is the Perfection of Peace
3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on thee: Because he trusteth in thee.
He is the Power of Peace
He is the Power of Peace
12 Lord, thou wilt ordain Peace for us: For thou also hast wrought all our works in us.
He is the Promise of Peace
He is the Promise of Peace
17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; And the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
He is the Perpetuation of Peace
He is the Perpetuation of Peace
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, Upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, To order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice From henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
You see it was God Himself, the Lord Jesus Christ, you life the wonderful ivory palaces to be born in a lowly manger in a small insignificant town. He took upon Himself the likeness of a man so that He might hang up a cruel cross for our sins. The night He was born, we know the angels proclaimed, “Peace on earth, and goodwill toward men!” That night Peace came into a world ravaged by war and ruled by nations filled with jealousy towards one another. Even today they have no desire for Jehovah-Shalom. They cry for peace, but they really have no desire for it. There is no good will toward men.
Take for example the United Nations. Here is an organization conceived by men to outlaw war and establish peace among nations. Since its creation, there have been a continued succession of wars. Even now, war rages in Europe and what has the United Nations done about it. They have done absolutely nothing. Rulers are incompetent to rule and bring about peace. Society itself is testament to the absence of peace and good will. Children rebel against their parents. students against authority, workers against supervisors, and the list goes one.
We live in world that is increasing becoming what Christ predicted in Luke 21:25-26
25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
Here is our hope! Even in the midst of the turmoil, conflict, and fear, peace can be found.
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Let us be reminded that Christ is the same Who said to the raging sea the words “Peace, be still!” If you desire true tranquility in the midst of the storm, then turn to the One Who is peace and can calm the storm.
16 Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.
Edward Bickersteth penned the following words to the hymn, Peace, Perfect Peace.
Peace, perfect peace, in this dark world of sin?
The blood of Jesus whispers peace within.
Peace, perfect peace, by thronging duties pressed?
To do the will of Jesus, this is rest.
Peace, perfect peace, with sorrows surging round?
O Jesus’ bosom naught but calm is found.
Peace, perfect peace, with loved ones far away?
In Jesus’ keeping, we are safe, and they.
Peace, perfect peace, our future all unknown?
Jesus we know, and He is on the throne.
It is enough; earth’s struggles soon shall cease,
And Jesus call us to Heaven’s perfect peace.