The Opposite of Angst

A quick study

Angst: A feeling of dread, anxiety or anguish

Peace: A condition or sense of harmony, well being and prosperity. The biblical concept of peace means more than just the absence of hostility and it is more than a psychological state.

The Old Testament uses Shalom the term and concept is one of wholeness or completeness, the verb could men to repay or fulfill a vow and was used to refer to repairing a relationship. Peace could refer to harmony between friends or allies, triumph in war, success in one’s endeavors, good health, and security. The Hebrew equivalent of the English greeting “How are you?” is “Do you have ‘peace’?” (cp. ; ; ; ).

Clendenen, E. R. (2003). Peace. In C. Brand, C. Draper, A. England, S. Bond, & T. C. Butler (Eds.), Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (p. 1261). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

The New Testament uses the word eirene. It occurs in every NT book except 1 John (most frequently in Luke, 14 times; followed by ; then Eph. 8). Outside the Bible the Greek word was likely to mean just the opposite of war, but its use to translate shalom in the Septuagint may have been what broadened its usage. Like shalom, the term in the NT could refer not only to the absence of hostility, strife, and disorder () but also to the condition and sense of being safe and secure

Clendenen, E. R. (2003). Peace. In C. Brand, C. Draper, A. England, S. Bond, & T. C. Butler (Eds.), Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (p. 1262). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

So what we know is peace is not simply the absence of war or hostility it is a concept deeply rooted in what a follower of Judaism, and a follower of Christ is supposed to live in.

The Gotcha God

Quick Question for all you Biblical Scholars out there.. how any tribes of Israel are there?

Numbers 1:20–22 HCSB

The descendants of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel: according to their family records by their clans and their ancestral houses, counting one by one the names of every male 20 years old or more, everyone who could serve in the army, those registered for the tribe of Reuben numbered 46,500. The descendants of Simeon: according to their family records by their clans and their ancestral houses, those registered counting one by one the names of every male 20 years old or more, everyone who could serve in the army,

Deuteronomy 27:12–13 HCSB

“When you have crossed the Jordan, these tribes will stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin. And these tribes will stand on Mount Ebal to deliver the curse: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.

Ruben

Simeon

Levi

Judah

Issacar

Benjamin

Dan

Gad

Asher

Joseph...

BUT Joseph was split and there were 2 tribes made of him..Ephriam and Manassah…

All the tribes were given an inheritance in the land Except…Levi. Levi was not given an inheritance in the land and also did not fight in the wars.

Numbers 1:47 HCSB

But the Levites were not registered with them by their ancestral tribe.

Why did the tribe of Levi not merit a portion in the Land of Israel and its spoils, as their brothers did? Because they have been separated out to serve G‑d as His ministers... Therefore, they were also separated from worldly matters. They are not required to fight in war, like other Jewish people, and they do not inherit the Land (Laws of the Sabbatical and Jubilee Years 13:12).

Malachi 2:4-5

Malachi 2:4–5 HCSB

Then you will know that I sent you this decree so My covenant with Levi may continue,” says the Lord of Hosts. “My covenant with him was one of life and peace, and I gave these to him; it called for reverence, and he revered Me and stood in awe of My name.

Malachi 2:5 HCSB

“My covenant with him was one of life and peace, and I gave these to him; it called for reverence, and he revered Me and stood in awe of My name.

Hard to see a God of peace in the old testament (utterly destroy etc.)

And yet God set the Levites aside and there are rules and laws that are used to model Peace. The levites are a picture of the importance of modeling a life of peace. So the covenant with Levi is a model of RUles and Laws and treaties are all about Peace.

So how do we have peace in our lives and in our church.

By being a place and person of peace

Matthew 5:9 HCSB

The peacemakers are blessed, for they will be called sons of God.

Hurting people seeking people frightented peopel should be able to come to us.

Make sure they know they are safe!

Make sure they know they can bring people who are also hurting.

There is a reason this is a sanctuary it’s supposed to be a safe place to come.

Peace through divine intervention

John 14:27 HCSB

“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful.

John 14:27–28 HCSB

“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful. You have heard Me tell you, ‘I am going away and I am coming to you.’ If you loved Me, you would have rejoiced that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I.

We have peace because Jesus promised to give it to us, and God’s promises are sure.

2 Corinthians 1:20 HCSB

For every one of God’s promises is “Yes” in Him. Therefore, the “Amen” is also spoken through Him by us for God’s glory.

Jesus Promises are yes and Amen

When humans say yes we mean yes…well maybe, (expound)

When we read yes and amen it’s like a double yes God’s yes is not like our yes. God’s yes is sure Gods yes is a promise.

Peace the Comes from God is tied to the promise of Jesus

We need the peace that comes from divine intervention, it allows us to contemplate eternity without fear.

Peace through personal choice

Romans 12:18 HCSB

If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone.

Don’t just try and live at peace with those in our own box of comfort.

We can choose to speak peace or war.

We choose to take the bait in the church way too often.

Carey Neiuhoff and the troll Several years ago.

I posted a comment to one of the blogs because. I wanted to make things right. I was working at not taking the bait. Carey removed comments that were causing me to want to pop off.

Don’t stir the pot to stay at peace with everyone.

It’s hard to not do so…sometimes you may be right but is being right worth the peace.

This Week’s Challenge

Think of someone that has offended you, hurt you or that you have been in conflict with. Spend time writing down their GOOD qualities, pray for them every day, and if you can contact them and ask to talk.