In our quest to learn the nature and character of names associated with God, we will look at Jehovah Shalom. Shalom means “peace; to be calm; wholeness completeness, or well-being.” The first occurrence of Jehovah Shalom is recorded in Judges 14:21-24. The Book of Judges details the life of the children of Israel living in the promised land experiencing much chaos and loss – they had no peace. Tony Evans calls Judges the “cyclical book” because the Israelites had developed a pattern that continually repeated itself. For example:
- The Israelites would rebel against God with their sin.
- Their sins brought about the consequences of punishment and discipline.
- The discipline drove them back to repentance.
- God responds to their repentance with deliverance.
Their punishment and discipline was the Lord allowing them to fall into the hands of their enemies (Judges 6:1-2). When the Israelites rebelled against God with sin, He allowed the enemy to triumph over them, which resulted in “no peace” for the nation of Israel. Isaiah 57:20-21 states that disobedience disrupts peace, for there is no peace for the wicked!
Judges 6:6 states that the children of Israel were brought very low because of the cruel treatment under the hands of the Midianites and they cried unto the LORD for help. The Israelites had become worldly and wanted to become like the nations God had warned them against. They wanted to serve the gods of the surrounding nations, forgetting the LORD who rescued them from slavery and gave them the promised land. As this cycle continued, God chose a man by the name of Gideon to become Israel’s next deliverer.
In Judges 6:12 we read an angel of the LORD appears to a man named Gideon and calls him a “valiant warrior” telling him the LORD plans to use him as a deliverer for the children of Israel. Gideon says he is unworthy and doesn’t see himself as a warrior. The story continues in verse 17 with Gideon reasoning with the LORD, that if he has favor with Him, he wanted a sign that the LORD was really talking with him. As we continue in Judges with verses 21-24, Gideon takes meat, unleavened bread and broth and sets it in front of the angel of the LORD. The angel of the LORD took the end of the staff in His hand and touched the meat, unleavened bread and broth. Fire sprang up from the rock and consumed it all. Gideon now realizes this is the angel of the LORD. The LORD said to Gideon, “peace to you, do not fear; you shall not die.” Gideon then builds an altar to the Lord and named it “the LORD is Peace” (Jehovah Shalom). Gideon now knows God has not left Israel, instead they had left the LORD’s presence through their disobedience and sin. Gideon worships God praising Him for His peace. Notice the situation hasn’t changed! Gideon now understands that in the midst of chaos and loss, there is peace and well-being in the presence of the LORD.
We too leave in a world with constant chaos, turmoil, and uncertainties, which equates to “no peace!” Chaos and turmoil is not limited to world events, it also penetrates our personal lives such as, broken marriages, financial issues, rebellious children, work related issues, health problems, emotional problems, etc., which can rob us from having peace and joy. Like Gideon we can know Jehovah Shalom, the LORD of Peace. Philippians 4:6 states we can have the peace of God that passes all understanding and John 14:27 Jesus tells us that “we will have tribulation in this world, but he leaves His peace with us; My peace (He says) I give to you. Not as the world gives. Don’t let you hearts be troubled neither let it be afraid.” The LORD’s presence in our lives is what gives us the peace we need to be calm and to maintain our well-being in the midst of any storm in our lives. The world can never offer us peace or any type of assurance that bring calmness and peace in our lives. Friends, as we place our trust in God, we can have the peace of knowing He will fight our battles. The LORD alone is the only one that offers genuine peace for any storm or mountain in our lives. Shalom.
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Thankful for Jesus because in Him. We can experience His peace. 🙌
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Amen!😊
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