April 9th Class

Jehovah-Shalom.  The LORD is Peace.

This Name of God is revealed in scripture for the first time in Judges 6.  We actually began this class with reading through portions of our homework chapter and then I thought it would be good to delve a little into the historical surroundings of Judges 6.

There was a cycle, that is highlighted in scripture, that continued throughout the period of the judges which encompassed 350-400 years.  After the death of Joshua and his generation, there was a generation after them that rose up who did not know the LORD (Judges 2:10).  This generation of the children of Israel began the cycle of entering into the sin of worshipping other gods, doing evil in the sight of the LORD, taking from among the nations in marriage and serving Baal and Asheroth.  These nations that they were inter-marrying were actually there for the testing of Israel (Judges 3:4), not for their destruction.  So here is the cycle, Israel would sin, God would sell them into slavery, Israel would cry out to the LORD, the LORD would hear their cry and deliver them by raising up a judge, but when that judge died, the children of Israel would enter into sin and... well... you know... 

The enemies of Israel were terrorizing them (Judges 6:1-10).  Verse 10 is very telling, in that the children of Israel feared their enemies more than they feared, had reverence for, God.  This is something that we need to think about.  Are there cycles in our own lives of entering into that which is contrary to the ways and will of God, then when the ramifications and the consequences of such living begin to press in upon us, do we cry out to the LORD for deliverance, only to enter back into that from which we have been delivered, yet again?

As we looked at Judges 6:11-24 I thought this passage was so telling, in the light of all that we have learned so far in our study of the Names of God.  Verses 11-16 show a dialogue between Gideon and the angel of the LORD.  If you look closely, you will see that Gideon took this angel of the LORD to be just another man, just some guy.  In v.13 we see Gideon addressing him as "lord", which is a respectful address, much as we would use "sir" today.  Then we see Gideon in v. 15 addressing the angel of the LORD as "Lord" which can be translated as "Master or Adonai", so it can be either an address for God or also used as a term of respect for any master or person of esteem.  So Gideon had now a raised opinion and awareness of who was standing before him, yet still considered him just a man.  We know this because then in v.17, after the angel of the LORD had given instruction to Gideon and also said "Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat Midian as one man" then Gideon sees that he is speaking to the angel of the LORD as he declares, "If now I have found favor in Your sight, then show me a sign that it is You who speak with me."

Then, if you drop down to v. 22-23 you will see that finally Gideon truly sees and declares, "Alas, O Lord GOD! (YHWH)... I just love exclamation marks and just thrill to see one being used here!!!  Then Gideon built an altar to the LORD and named it The LORD is Peace (Yahweh-shalom). We discussed this more in class and I think the girls enjoyed this added insight as much as I did!

Something that stood out to me in this portion of scripture is that in v.13 we see Gideon questioning without any real understanding.  Much like perhaps we do today.  The gist of it being, "If God is really with us then why has all this crud happened in my life?  Where are all of His so called miracles that I have been hearing about?  It seems to me like God has abandoned me to muddle through and just let circumstances take their toll."  But, here is the thing... until our eyes are truly opened to Jehovah-Shalom we will never truly know the beautiful reality that, no matter what happens today or in our future, we can still know and experience PEACE.

Peace does not come to us through circumstances.  If it did, that would mean that when circumstances were distressing or painful, or if circumstances brought fear or confusion, agony or discomfort and pain, it would mean that in that particular circumstance, peace could not be found.  

Peace does not come to us through circumstance, peace comes to us in the MIDST of circumstances IN CHRIST JESUS, who guards our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:7).  Peace IS God's will for us (2 Thessalonians 3:16).  Peace resides, not outside of ourselves, but within our hearts and minds.  We have access to Peace every moment of every day or night.  He WILL KEEP US in Perfect Peace as our minds are stayed upon Him (Isaiah 26:3).  We discussed this at some length in the class, so you girls that were there, if you got anything out of this discussion, share with your sisters that may be needing a little encouragement regarding this Peace today!

Anytime that we are afraid, distressed, fragmented, broken, we are to run to Jehovah-Shalom.  The reality is that Peace, true Peace, is found in only ONE place and that is in God Himself.  Everything else is transient by nature.

I took the class to Isaiah 9:6 and we began to look at it a little closer.  This verse comes to the people of God that are in the midst of distress and offers them a promise that God gives to them Himself.  Many times, due to circumstances, our Peace seems gone because we feel that the circumstances, the pain, the distress has been laid upon OUR shoulders to bear and to handle.  But the GOVERNING of OUR LIVES, the burdens, the trials, the anxieties, the troubles, are not to be upon OUR shoulders, but UPON HIS.  Where do you run to for counsel?  Who do you run to for counsel?  And this is where I began to sing that old song, "Where could I go but to the LORD" ... yep, I surely did, and I was even snapping my fingers as I did it! 

God Himself is our Counsellor.  Not man.  We were created to cry out to the LORD.  Not to man. Not to one another.  If you don't pray first, seeking the counsel of the LORD, you may find yourself getting the wrong counsel from man.  Pray, and if need be, God Himself will lead you to those that He would have speak into your life.

He is the Mighty God over all our circumstances and trials.  He is the Eternal Father with His arms held out big and wide for us to run into.  He is the Prince of Peace, He alone rules over Peace because He Himself is our Peace.

So let's run a few verses that I had the class look at today...

Isaiah 53:5 That word "well-being" is "peace".  The chastening FOR OUR PEACE fell upon Him.  There is no peace apart from God.  Unless Christ is in you, there is no peace.

Romans 5:10-11 This word "reconciliation" equals "peace".... Peace with God

John 16:33 Listen, if you are living on planet earth and presently walk the dusty surface of it... you are going to have tribulation, in one form or another, it's a promise.  You might be married to it, you may have given birth to it, it may visit you unbidden or it may be your precious own self!  However tribulation finds you, The Name still holds True... our Peace is in Him, Jehovah-Shalom.

If you want Peace then you need to begin with Job 22:21

"Acquaint now thyself with Him, and be at peace..." (KJV)

If you want Peace then you must acquaint yourself with His Word and live in obedience to it.  

Psalm 119:165, Isaiah 48:18, Isaiah 32:17

By the way, that word "acquaint" means "to know intimately"... it is YADA.

There will be times in our lives when it would seem that Peace has left us.  I went through with the class some of the reasons this could be the case.

1.  When the things around us are in disarray.  

John 20:19 

Your Peace will never be found in externals but only in God.  Your Peace is with Him and He is with you.  Peace is with you and in you, the Prince of Peace Himself.

2.  When imaginations invalid our mind

2 Corinthians 10:3-5, Philippians 4:8, Isaiah 26:3

You might want to add in Philippians 6-7!  The word "prayer" is PRESUKE which carries with it the meaning of looking at God as He truly is.  His Names equal his Character.  We are to put our thoughts upon Him... not our idea of Who He is, but put our minds upon Who He has revealed Himself to be and He promises that He will mount a guard around your heart.

3.  When we are not filled with the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 5:18, 5:19-20, Galatians 5:22-23

4.  When our relationships get out of kilter

Colossians 3:12-15

To let the Peace of God rule means to let the Peace of God be the umpire!  His Peace is to rule regardless of others, regardless of the behaviour of others.  This is what it means to be a peacemaker. It does not mean that peace will rule others... it means that Peace will rule in your heart and soul.

I am counting on you girls that were at the class to add to my finger tappings here.  I don't have time to proof-read, so once again ask for a liberal dose of grace.

He 

will keep 

in Perfect Peace,

the girl whose mind is stayed 

upon Him

because

she trusts 

in

Him

love you all silly,

such a joy for me to serve you in this way,

Come on in, 

pull up a chair, 

and join in on the conversation in...

The Comment Cafe