SHALOM – THE WHOLESOME PEACE

Shalom is a beautiful word. All of us, I am sure, are aware of it. Shalom is the “wholesome rest” that the whole world, yearns for. The turmoil within the human hearts, and the turmoil in the world, is a clear indication of the human situation, and its utter helplessness, in having this peace, in any meaningful sense.

What, according to the God of the Bible, is this “Wholesome Peace?” Is it the absence of conflict? Is it our health? Is it wealth? Is it power? What the Bible calls as SHALOM is, much more than such things. It is deeper and wider in its scope. The Hebrew word for peace, shalom, means wholeness in all of life, completeness, soundness, wellbeing, complete reconciliation, welfare and safety, which includes justice, fairness and equity.

Perry B. Yoder, a Professor Emeritus of Old Testament, at the Anabaptist Mennonite Bible Seminary, gives us an idea of what biblical “SHALOM” is, in the title of his 1987 book, “Shalom: The Bible’s Word for Salvation, Justice, and Peace.”* Shalom, as one would understand, recognises the relationship between peace and justice, how God acts for peace and justice, and the question of how we should act.” [From the article – “What does shalom mean?”]

This sense of the word “SHALOM” is derived from YAHWEH Himself. God, as described in the Bible, has many names, and one of His names is Yahweh-Shalom – which means, the LORD is PEACE. God is our source of our peace.
– “Then Gideon built an altar there to the Lord and called it, The Lord Is Peace.” – Judges 6.24

Jesus Christ, the Messiah, is called, the Prince of Peace
– “6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:6

What we are given to understand is that, God is the sole source of peace, and the peace He offers is the, all-encompassing wholesome peace.
– “27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” – John 14:27

May the LORD of PEACE be the source of all our strength, comfort and security for all our needs, as we journey through the days and years of our lives. The LORD is more than sufficient to give us His peace – peace that the world cannot offer. Have a blessed LORD’s Day! Shalom Aleichem!!!