Baruch Ha Shem Adonai!
(Blessed be the Name of the Lord!)
(Blessed be the Name of the Lord!)
This is the tenth in The CRIB's presentation of the Twelve Jewels of God ... a look at the wonderful, powerful, inspirational names of God.
The name before us is Jehovah Shalom, "The Lord of Peace" or "The Lord is Peace." The name occurs only once in the Old Testament, in Judges 6:24 ...
Shalom is a derivative of shâlêm (which means "be complete" or "... safe" or "... finished") Shalom is translated as "peace" or the "absence from strife." Jehovah-Shalom is the name given Gideon's altar; thus the name he called God.
As said in an earlier post, Jehovah might be translated "The Existing One" (or "... Lord"). Most Hebrew scholars believe the meaning of Jehovah is derived from the Hebrew word Havah or Hawyah meaning "to be" or "to exist." It also suggests "to become" or specifically "to become known" — this suggests our God is one who reveals Himself continuously.
Gideon is a man of Israel and according to Judges 6:6 "Israel was brought very low because of Midian." The men of Israel had to "beat out" their wheat in the dark of night, often inside a "wine press in order to save it from [their enemies]" (verse 11). People were starving to death and men had to do what they had to do in order to feed their families and themselves.
When the angel of the Lord revealed himself to be Jehovah, Gideon expressed his dismay at lecturing Yahweh, "Alas, O Lord GOD! For now I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face" (verse 22). But the LORD comforted him and said, "Peace to you, do not fear; you shall not die" (verse 23). It was then that the frightened Hebrew built his altar to Jehovah-Shalom. (verse 24).
Gideon's interacting with the Living God of Israel wasn't over: he would be required to take the war to the enemy; to whittle his army down to a few hundred men, against a much larger battle-hardened army; and then attacking them in the night with nothing more than trumpets, clay vases, and a torch for each vase. All of this was done with a little worship (7:15) and a healthy supply of faith.
There have been times in my ministry when I've felt like hiding in someone's winepress, day and night! There are times when the counsel of friends and peers is empty and shallow; there are times when the dank midnight of my circumstance is terribly stressful ... solitude is the only companion I seek. That is until I find that I can do nothing to change things apart from Him; then I turn to Him and pour out my plight and it is then that He comes into the shadow of my despair, bringing light and peace.
Peace doesn't just come on bright, breezy spring mornings or on cool whispering evenings ... peace can come to us when we're hiding from the world in our own personal pity party. Remember dear friends, Jehovah-Shalom waits to hear you cry out to Him, for the LORD is Peace and at the right time He is also the LORD of Hosts Jehovah Sabaoth.
Remember the words of Christ Jesus ...
The name before us is Jehovah Shalom, "The Lord of Peace" or "The Lord is Peace." The name occurs only once in the Old Testament, in Judges 6:24 ...
Then Gideon built an altar there to the LORD and named it The LORD is Peace. To this day it is still in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.As far as I can tell there are no variations on the name in the Elder Testament; and there are no attributable citations in the New.
Shalom is a derivative of shâlêm (which means "be complete" or "... safe" or "... finished") Shalom is translated as "peace" or the "absence from strife." Jehovah-Shalom is the name given Gideon's altar; thus the name he called God.
As said in an earlier post, Jehovah might be translated "The Existing One" (or "... Lord"). Most Hebrew scholars believe the meaning of Jehovah is derived from the Hebrew word Havah or Hawyah meaning "to be" or "to exist." It also suggests "to become" or specifically "to become known" — this suggests our God is one who reveals Himself continuously.
Gideon is a man of Israel and according to Judges 6:6 "Israel was brought very low because of Midian." The men of Israel had to "beat out" their wheat in the dark of night, often inside a "wine press in order to save it from [their enemies]" (verse 11). People were starving to death and men had to do what they had to do in order to feed their families and themselves.
When the angel of the Lord revealed himself to be Jehovah, Gideon expressed his dismay at lecturing Yahweh, "Alas, O Lord GOD! For now I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face" (verse 22). But the LORD comforted him and said, "Peace to you, do not fear; you shall not die" (verse 23). It was then that the frightened Hebrew built his altar to Jehovah-Shalom. (verse 24).
Gideon's interacting with the Living God of Israel wasn't over: he would be required to take the war to the enemy; to whittle his army down to a few hundred men, against a much larger battle-hardened army; and then attacking them in the night with nothing more than trumpets, clay vases, and a torch for each vase. All of this was done with a little worship (7:15) and a healthy supply of faith.
There have been times in my ministry when I've felt like hiding in someone's winepress, day and night! There are times when the counsel of friends and peers is empty and shallow; there are times when the dank midnight of my circumstance is terribly stressful ... solitude is the only companion I seek. That is until I find that I can do nothing to change things apart from Him; then I turn to Him and pour out my plight and it is then that He comes into the shadow of my despair, bringing light and peace.
Peace doesn't just come on bright, breezy spring mornings or on cool whispering evenings ... peace can come to us when we're hiding from the world in our own personal pity party. Remember dear friends, Jehovah-Shalom waits to hear you cry out to Him, for the LORD is Peace and at the right time He is also the LORD of Hosts Jehovah Sabaoth.
Remember the words of Christ Jesus ...
Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.Now that my friends is the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension.Matthew 11:29-31
Posts
