More on Peace

In my last post, I talked about the peace that Jesus wanted us to have - His peace, and the meaning behind the Greek word for peace eirene.


Today, I wanted to explore a bit into the Hebrew words for 'peace'. The English translation of these words loses the richness of the meaning in its original language. In all the following passages (KJV), the English word 'peace' has been used.

• Isa 26: 2 "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee."
• Prov 16:7 "When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him."
• Ex 14:14 "The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace"
• Dan 4:1 "Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you."
• Lev 7:33 "He among the sons of Aaron, that offereth the blood of the peace offerings, and the fat, shall have the right shoulder for [his] part."
• Lev 10:33 "Then Moses said unto Aaron, This [is it] that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace."
• Isa 62:1 "For Zion's sake I will not hold my peace..."

The second scripture uses the word 'peace' in a covenant sense of peace through covenant, recompense, completeness, or paying vows. The word 'peace' in the third scripture, together with the last two are about being silent, or still. They are still 3 completely different words, but share the essential meaning of silence. 
In regards to Leviticus 7:33; the use of the word 'peace' here is restricted to the topic of sacrificial offering. The 'peace' used in the example of Daniel 4:1 is only found in the Bible where a King writes a letter to his people, and wishes them well-being in its greeting paragraph.


If you're interested in the lexicology, you're welcome to head over to the Blue Letter Bible and look up those extra 'peace' words by typing 'peace' into the LexiConc search tool on the right hand sidebar.
I'm putting aside those particular words because I want to concentrate on the first one:

שָׁלוֹם

Shalom

Num 6:26 "The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace (shalowm)." Jer 29:11 "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace (shalowm), and not of evil, to give you an expected end." Psa 4:8 "I will both lay me down in peace (shalowm), and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety." Zeph 3:17 "The LORD thy God in the midst of thee [is] mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest (shalowm) in his love, he will joy over thee with singing." Shalowm, according to Strong's means: 1) completeness, soundness, welfare, peace a) completeness (in number) b) safety, soundness (in body) c) welfare, health, prosperity d) peace, quiet, tranquillity, contentment e) peace, friendship 1) of human relationships 2) with God especially in covenant relationship f) peace (from war) g) peace (as adjective) We can see here that Shalowm (or Shalom as it is commonly spelt) is multifactorial. It encompasses:     health     financial soundness     relationships with others     relationship with God      peace of the soul/heart     quiet (as in an absence of loud noise)     political peace

So when God spoke in Jer 29:11 about our future, he was saying, (in my paraphrase)

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you...thoughts of peace [health, peaceful relationships with others and with Me, contentment and tranquility in your soul, safety and prosperity in your nation -- completeness in every area of your life], and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

The word 'thoughts' can also be translated as 'plan' or 'purpose'. Isn't it wonderful that God's plan and purpose for us is completeness and health in every area of our lives? Jesus DID say, "I am come that they might have life, and have it more abundantly."

God wants us to have abundant life. He didn't say it would be easy - but His plan is that we get to experience fullness, completeness, health and safety wherever we are. 

However, I've realised that peace is not found in our circumstances. True peace is in the assurance of God's love, protection, and good plans for our lives. I used to wait for quiet, a relaxing holiday and no stressful situations to say that I had peace. But who ever gets THAT combination for long?? It's nigh impossible. 

No - true peace is in the complete trust that God cares, and He's in control. We're not trying to bend things to our will, we're not striving for what we were told to avoid; our motives are pure, our purpose in life is simple and uncomplicated, all our worries go straight into God's hands while we just wait, child-like, for God to show us what to do about it all.

I envy those people in the stories who have a palpable peace about them. It's not just serenity, it's the state of inside-out rest I covet. I wish I could say I'm already there - but I've had a long history of living in the future without savouring the present, and I'm still learning to just live in the present. 

Jesus gave us His peace: the peace of the Son of God who had perfect trust in the completeness of the Father's power and love for Him. And we know that His plan for us is Shalom. So let's reach out and receive that peace, and pray that by His grace, we'll stay in it.

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Phil 4:6-7

See the related post on Peace