Jehovah Shalom

Judges 6:11-24

:

(NKJ)

People were oppressed. They were in a cycle, repent, return to sin, face consequences, cry out for restoration. God would raise up a new judge and Israel would follow but then backslide.

This sin-salvation-sin cycle happens 7 times in the Book of Judges.

In this section (Judges 6), after Deborah and 40 years of ‘peace’ the Midianites would destroy all of their crops, livestock, and everything else that would contribute to their livelihood.

It is during this time that the Angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon and told him that he would single-handedly defeat the Midianites.

,

(NLT)

: Who was this angel of the Lord?

= Appearance of a god/deity that is tangible to a human/human senses.

Frequently, the term, ‘the glory of the Lord’ reflects a theophany; the ‘pillar of cloud’ has a similar function.

A frequent introduction for theophanies can be seen / found where the words, ‘the Lord came down,’ are present.

Some Bible commentators / scholars believe that whenever someone received a visit from ‘the angel of the Lord,’ that they were in fact the pre-incarnate Christ…a Christophany! (Gen. 16:7-14; Genesis 22:11-18; Judges 5:23; 2 Kings 19:35).

Gideon was so frightened at the sight of the Angel of the Lord that he knew he was as good as dead, but the Angel said, “Peace be with you; do not fear, you shall not die.” With that comfort Gideon built an altar and called the place “Jehovah Shalom: The Lord is my Peace”.

= well-being, tranquility, wholeness, over-coming strife, prosperity, security.

Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (

). When Jesus meets his disciples after the resurrection, he continually says to them, “Peace” (

). Under these circumstances it is obvious that the term “peace” is extraordinarily full of meaning. What is this peace Jesus gives us? In order to understand Jesus’ words, we must reflect on the many facets of the crucial Hebrew term 

 which lies behind the English word “peace.”

 is one of the key words and images for salvation in the Bible. The Hebrew word refers most commonly to a person being uninjured and safe, whole and sound. In the New Testament, 

 is revealed as the reconciliation of all things to God through the work of Christ: “God was pleased . . . through [Christ] to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through [Christ’s] blood, shed on the cross” (

). 

 experienced is multidimensional, complete well-being — physical, psychological, social, and spiritual; it flows from all of one’s relationships being put right — with God, with(in) oneself, and with others.

Most fundamentally, 

 means reconciliation with God. God can give us peace with himself or remove it (

; 

). Because Phinehas turned away God’s wrath on sin, he and his family are given a “covenant of [

]” with God (

). One of the offerings under the Mosaic covenant is the 

 offering — the peace, or fellowship, offering — the only one of the Levitical sacrifices in which the offerer receives back some of the meal to eat. Sin disrupts 

. When anything heals the rupture and closes the gap between us and God, there should be a celebration, a joyful meal in God’s presence.

 also means peace with others, peace between parties. It means the end of hostilities and war (

; 

). The wise woman of Abel Beth Maakah maintained her city’s 

, its peacefulness, by averting a siege and war (

). But 

 does not mean only reconciliation between warring factions or nations (

). It also refers to socially just relationships between individuals and classes. Jeremiah insists that unless there is an end to oppression, greed, and violence in social relationships, there can be no 

, however much the false prophets say the word (

; compare 

).

 consists of not only outward peacefulness — peace between parties — but also peace within. Those who trust in the Lord have inner security; therefore, they can sleep well (

). God gives “perfect peace” (or 

) — i.e., profound psychological and emotional peace – to those who steadfastly set their minds on him (

).The result of righteousness before God is “peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever” (

).

: 4 Tips from Philippians 4:4-9 about peace.

In this passage Paul gives us four points of instruction that deal directly with prayer and worship: 

. He goes on to say that if you do these things then you will position yourself to be surrounded by the peace of God.

Philippians 4:4-9

:

“Unto you a Child is born, and He shall be called the Prince of Peace” (

). Peace was the burden of the Angel’s song when unto us that Child was born-and Peace was the legacy of the Prince of Peace as He ascended again to Heaven.