What’s In A Name?, 12: YHWH Shalom

Numbers 6:22-27       22The LORD said to Moses, 23“Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: 24“ ‘ “The LORD bless you and keep you; 25the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.” ’  27“So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”

Judges 6:22-24           22When Gideon realized that it was the angel of the LORD, he exclaimed, “Alas, Sovereign LORD! I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face!”  23But the LORD said to him, “Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die.” 24So Gideon built an altar to the LORD there and called it The LORD Is Peace.

Isaiah 9:6-7                6For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

It is probably true that everyone, believer or not, knows the meaning of this Hebrew word.  In modern Israel Shalom is the regular salutation of both greeting and departure.  Shalom means peace in Hebrew, but the English word doesn’t really do it justice.  Westerners particularly think of peace as being just the absence of conflict, but it is much more than that.  As with most translated expressions there is a depth of meaning lost to the English speaking mind.  In most uses of shalom, the meaning of tranquility, security, or wellbeing are in mind, but it can also refer to rest from war, health and safety.  Scholars disagree as to the source of shalom, but it is noted that several related words refer to payment and reparations which allude to the idea of completing a transaction.

So when believers say Shalom to each other they are wishing health and contentment to the hearer, but are also saying, “May Jesus complete the restoration of your soul to Him, and the return of your heart to peace.”  Consider these verses,     

Hebrews 13:20            20Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 21equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Romans 5:1                1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.

So as so often happens in life the value in this quest for peace is not the goal itself, but the means by which we attain it.  Much of the world is engaged in an effort to find peace but they do in a rather mechanical way.  They move away from conflict, or separate from difficult relationships, or use chemical means to avoid the problem.  But these methods all have one thing in common:  They all are based on the assumption that the other guy is the problem.

Real peace, of the kind found in the Hebrew meaning, is an internal thing.  A person can be internally peaceful even in the face of external struggle, but the converse is not true:  A person having no internal peace often finds himself in external conflict.  So how does one find internal peace? 

Internal peace is based on quality of life concepts like comfortableness of self, value found in identity, and personal worth, and a variety of similar ideas.  All of these are given worth through one’s relationship with his Savior.  But we live in tumultuous times in an age of anxiety.  Things are going down the toilet around us so one wonders how we can possibly find peace.  Therein lies the problem:  When we expect to find peace through those around us or through life’s successes, we are destined to be disappointed.  Paul has the answer:

6Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

The reason this works is that God never changes while our personal circumstances seem to frequently change.  God is consistent, and consistent in loving us.  He wants the best for us which includes growing in holiness and righteousness and in firming and developing our relationship with His Son.  Trusting in God and allowing Him to guide us through the many aspects of life is what gives us peace.  Since we know He will never leave nor forsake us we can relax, knowing He will guide us through the storms.  When this quality of peace reigns in us, it cannot be hampered by people or circumstances.  In another passages Paul tells how to gain peace…

12Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. (Colossians 3:12-15)

Paul is talking as if we can actually put on peace.  In effect we can because these things relate to interpersonal relationship.  When we treat others as we wish to be treated, when we love the unlovable, when we are kind, compassionate, and forgiving then good things happen.  When we model the love of God from Him and to Him, people like being around us.  Let’s unpack this verse a little more:

1.     Remember we are dearly beloved of God.  Knowing you are loved creates a great feeling of security and calm. Knowing that you are loved, not for being perfect, but just for being who you are is wonderful.

2.     We should clothe ourselves with Godly characteristics.  These are things that build relationships.  As they are practiced between people bonds of peace are formed between them.  Lifelong friends are made this way.

3.     We hear about forgiveness a lot, but that’s because it is key to loving as Christ loved.  Over the course of our lives it is not possible to avoid being offended occasionally.  Stuff happens but forgiving lets the other guy know we are OK with him.  And after all, Christ willingly offered Himself up because of the things we have already done.  It is a good idea to do the same for others.

4.     The big one is of course to love others.  When we do that we show God’s love outwardly and that, my friends, heals a great deal of hurt.