23/05/201/ : The Names of God | Jehovah Shalom – The Lord Gives Peace | Richard Ashton
Jehovah-shalom – The Lord Gives Peace
Judges 6: 1-24 NIV
This passage relates to the captivity and suppression of the Israelites by the Midianites. You will recall the Amalekites in our recent study
In verse 24 we see the, compound name, Jehovah-Shalom, and translated it means “Jehovah is our peace,” or “the LORD is our peace,” or very literally, you might translate it “the LORD gives peace.”
Identity of the Angel of the Lord
I believe this passage of Scripture will be without real significance to us unless we identify immediately the angel of the LORD. Some translators used the definite article “an” instead of “the angel of the LORD” because it isn’t an angel that appears to Gideon; it is the Angel of the LORD.
The angel of Jehovah came to Gideon to free the Israelites from the oppression of the Midianites; He said “Who I am, that I should do this? I’m not able to do it. I’m the least of all my father’s children, and my father is a poor man,” Verse 15, “Don’t worry about what you’re able to do. I’m with you. You will be able to do anything.”
A Sign for Gideon
If you are familiar with the life and story of Gideon, you know that he frequently asked for signs. In this particular instance he said, “In order that I might be absolutely sure that God has really been talking with me, then will you wait until I bring you a gift, will you?”
Verse 20: The angel of God said to him, “Take the meat and the unleavened bread, place them on this rock, and pour out the broth.”
Verse 21; “Then the angel of the LORD put forth the end of the staff that was in his hand, and touched the flesh and the unleavened cakes; and there rose up fire out of the rock, and consumed the flesh and the unleavened cakes”. Then the angel of the LORD departed out of his sight. As soon as that happened, Gideon was filled with terror, because he recognized the sign – the fire consuming the sacrifice indicated the very presence of God.
And when Gideon perceived that he was the angel of the LORD, Gideon said, “Alas, O LORD God, for because I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face”
Gideon was a good Hebrew and he knew that no man could see God and live. No man can see God and live, and as soon as the sacrifice was consumed, he knew he was toast—no one had to tell him.
“I have seen the Lord. I’m going to die; I know I’m going to die.” His heart was pounding and he was gripped fear and terror.
But remember in verse 23, immediately Gideon built an altar, there unto Jehovah, and he called it Jehovah-Shalom, “The Lord is my peace,” or “God has given peace.”
Gideon’s Fear of Death
Let’s go back over this for a moment. Why was Gideon afraid? He was afraid of death, because sinful man cannot stand in the presence of a holy God without expecting to die.
Likewise we cannot stand as sinful men before a holy God. The sentence of death rests upon our shoulders today, and not one of us can have true peace in our own strength or striving in our own ability, because we are all under the condemnation of the sentence of death.
Peace Found In the Lord
“He built an altar and he found peace.” No, he found peace first, in a person. That is indicated by what he did when he built the altar and put the inscription upon it,”The LORD is my Peace.” He found peace not only in a Person, but he found peace in that Person’s Word, because you will notice what the Lord said unto him in verse 23:
Our peace lies in allowing the Word of God to speak to our hearts. Let’s look at Paul’s letter to the Ephesians 2:13-17 (NIV)
Peace Found In the Word
“And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh”
The Lord said to Gideon that day, “You won’t die; don’t worry; have peace.” That is the announcement of peace. That’s the Gentiles. “And there was peace to them who were nearby.” That’s the Jews. The announcement is made and it is up to us to believe the Word.
Let the Peace of God Rule – (Col 3:12-1)
Verse 16: “Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly.”
There is no other source of real peace outside of the LORD and His Word.
“These things I have spoken to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1).
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders, and he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)
