Peace, divine in OT

Peace provided for God’s people

Through obedience to God’s spoken word

Genesis 2:16–17 KJV 1900

And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

See also 2 Ki 5:13–19; Job 22:21–22; Ps 85:8; Is 54:13; Da 10:15–19

Through obedience to God’s covenants

Deuteronomy 29:9 KJV 1900

Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do.

See also Dt 30:15–16; Mal 2:1–6

Through obedience to God’s laws

Psalm 119:165 KJV 1900

Great peace have they which love thy law: And nothing shall offend them.

See also Le 26:3–12; Dt 28:1–7; 2 Ch 14:2–7; Ps 37:34–38; Pr 3:13–17; Is 48:18

Peace expressed in signs

Genesis 9:13–16 KJV 1900

I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud: And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth.

See also Ex 13:21–22; Ex 40:36–38; Jdg 6:22–24

Peace provided for God’s nation

Through provision of the land

Psalm 37:11 KJV 1900

But the meek shall inherit the earth; And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

See also 1 Sa 7:13–14; 1 Ch 4:40; Ps 37:3

Through provision of a holy city

Isaiah 33:20–24 KJV 1900

Look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities: Thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, A tabernacle that shall not be taken down; Not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed, Neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken. But there the glorious Lord will be unto us A place of broad rivers and streams; Wherein shall go no galley with oars, Neither shall gallant ship pass thereby. For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, The Lord is our king; he will save us. Thy tacklings are loosed; They could not well strengthen their mast, they could not spread the sail: Then is the prey of a great spoil divided; The lame take the prey. And the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: The people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity.

See also Ps 122:6–8; Is 66:10–13; Je 33:6–9; Zec 1:16–17

Through provision of a house of God

Haggai 2:9 KJV 1900

The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts: And in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts.

See also 1 Ch 22:6–10; Eze 37:24–28

Through provision of the law

Isaiah 48:18 KJV 1900

O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! Then had thy peace been as a river, And thy righteousness as the waves of the sea:

See also Dt 6:1–3; Dt 30:15–16

The benefits of peace

Peace and God’s presence

Isaiah 41:10 KJV 1900

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: Be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; Yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

See also Nu 6:22–26; Jos 1:9; Ps 23:1–4; Ps 29:11; Je 30:10–11

Peace in captivity

Jeremiah 29:7 KJV 1900

And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the Lord for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.

See also Ex 1:6–12; Je 31:1–2

Peace in suffering

Psalm 119:50 KJV 1900

This is my comfort in my affliction: For thy word hath quickened me.

See also Is 61:1–4; Je 34:1–5

Peace in poverty

Isaiah 14:30 KJV 1900

And the firstborn of the poor shall feed, And the needy shall lie down in safety: And I will kill thy root with famine, And he shall slay thy remnant.

See also 1 Sa 2:6–9; Ps 68:5–10; Pr 17:1

Peace with enemies

Proverbs 16:7 KJV 1900

When a man’s ways please the Lord, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

See also 1 Ch 22:7–9; Je 29:4–7