True Shalom

Shalom (שלום). As a Christian, we may have been greeted with this word at least once. There is something unique and heartwarming about being greeted with this Hebrew word. But what is it about this word that comforts the heart of every believer in Christ?

Simply put, shalom is the Hebrew word for “peace”, and it is commonly used among Israelis and occasionally used among Christians as a greeting and a farewell. And in both modern and Biblical days, shalom is also used to ask about one’s wellbeing. Most of us think of peace as a state of quietness or tranquility. It can also be thought of as the absence of conflict or trouble or war. While all the mentioned definitions are true to a certain extent, there are deeper and more powerful meanings that are carried by this ancient word.

As I have been studying Hebrew for the past couple of years on my own, I have discovered rich and profound meanings of this seemingly simple word, that have encouraged me in my walk with God.

Shalom in the Bible: Perfection

Mentioned approximately 250 times in the Old Testament, the most basic definition that this word conveys is being complete, whole, or perfect. As an adjective, it refers to something that is intact, uncut, and undamaged, with nothing missing or lacking. It also describes a heart that is undivided and fully committed to God. Examples in the Scriptures include:

“…[Joshua] built [an altar] according to what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses – an altar of uncut stones, on which no iron tool had been used. On it they offered to the LORD burnt offerings and sacrificed fellowship offerings.” – Joshua 8:31b, when Joshua was building an altar on Mount Ebal after capturing the city of Ai.

“You will keep in him perfect peace, him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.” – Isaiah 26:3

“Remember, O LORD, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in Your eyes.” – 2nd Kings 20:3a, a prayer that King Hezekiah uttered at his point of death.

Subsequently, as a verb, one of the definitions is to complete or to make something whole. It refers to taking what is missing or broken and restoring it to wholeness.

An example is found in Nehemiah where the broken wall of Jerusalem was completed:

“So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days.” – Nehemiah 6:15

Making Restitution/Payment

In the process of restoring something to wholeness, this verb also means to pay back what was owed or to make restitution for any loss. An example of such usage is found in Exodus 22:1-15, where restitution is required in cases of theft or damage. Other examples in Scripture include:

“He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and had no pity.” – 2nd Samuel 12:6

“Anyone who takes the life of someone’s animal must make restitution – life for life.” – Leviticus 24:18

“She went and told the man of God, and he said, ‘Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.” – 2nd Kings 4:7

Reconciliation

Another meaning that this verb conveys is to reconcile or to heal a broken relationship. In the Scriptures, this definition was not only applied on broken relationships with a family member or friend, but it also applied to relationships with an enemy. Such an example is used in Proverbs 16:7,

“When a man’s ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him.” – Proverbs 16:7

This word can also be used in relationships with kingdoms and nations, as stated in 1st Kings 22:44,

“Jehoshaphat was also at peace with the king of Israel.” – 1st Kings 22:44

What is amazing is that this word does not just mean cessation of war, conflict, or transgression against another person. It also means seeking the benefit of each other.

The Gospel of Shalom

So, how do all the earlier definitions relate to the gospel of peace that we have today? What does it really mean when Jesus said to His disciples in John 14:27 hours before He retreated to Gethsemane:

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” – John 14:27

When God created Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, all creation was in the state of perfect peace and in complete communion with the Creator of all things. However, because of man’s choice to disobey God, that perfect relationship that God intends to have with mankind was broken. The world is cast into brokenness and left in shambles. The fallen world that we live in, along with its violence, heartache, pain and death are the consequences of that shalom that was lost so long ago.

Because our sins have destroyed mankind’s relationship with Him, God, who is righteous and just, simply could not overlook our sins without payment. Sin had to be dealt with. The penalty for that broken fellowship must be paid, which is death. Nothing we could have done or we could ever do in our own strength, can ever meet God’s perfect standard of righteousness.

Yet, this world was not left without hope because God, in His mercy and grace, has promised to send His Son, Jesus Christ, to make all things right and complete again. The moment that Adam and Eve sinned, God prophesied against the serpent that tempted them:

“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; He will crush your head, and you will strike His heel.” – Genesis 3:15

And through the prophet Isaiah, God promised that Christ would come as the “Prince of Peace”, and that there will be no end to the greatness of His government and peace (Isaiah 9:6-7). Paul in his letter to the Ephesians says:

“For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in His flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which He put to death their hostility.” – Ephesians 2:14-16

Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we can now come into God’s presence as His sons and daughters freely and boldly. Because Jesus paid the ultimate price by bearing our sins upon Himself on that cross, our broken relationship with our Maker can be mended. We, who were once God’s enemies can, therefore, be reconciled to Him through faith in Christ. We can have perfect peace with God because sin has already been paid for by the blood of Jesus. Through the finished work of Christ, the shalom that was lost in the garden has been restored and is available to us again today. And He will one day restore all things back to the way God intended with the promise of His presence dwelling among His people (Revelation 21:3). J.I. Packer, an eminent theologian and one of the most influential evangelicals in the world today, penned about God’s peace very well in his classic “Knowing God”:

“The peace of God, then, primarily and fundamentally, is a new relationship of forgiveness and acceptance – and the source from which it flows is propitiation. When Jesus came to His disciples in the upper room at evening on His resurrection day, He said, ‘Peace be with you’; and when He had said that, He showed them His hands and side. (John 20:19 f.) Why did He do that? Not just to establish His identity, but to remind them of the propitiatory death on the cross whereby He had made peace with His Father for them. Having suffered in their place, as their substitute, to make peace for them, He now came in His risen power to bring that peace to them.” – “Knowing God” by J.I. Packer

Our Response

Having said that, true shalom can only be found in God alone. This shalom cannot be found in the absence of bad news or conflict or noise, nor is it dependent on circumstances, physical conditions, or what we feel; it can only be found by trusting in God, who is the eternal Rock of our salvation, just as the prophet Isaiah exhorts in his book:

“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.” – Isaiah 26:3-4

Trusting in God means to give Him complete control, enthroning Him in every aspect of our lives, as He guides us and leads us in the way everlasting in our walk with Him. If you are not yet a believer of Christ, I pray that you may experience His peace that transcends beyond human comprehension and understanding by putting your faith in Jesus Christ and in His finished work.

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.” – Romans 5:1-2

Our Mandate to be Peacemakers

As God’s children who have received His peace, Christ has therefore given us the mandate to be peacemakers and in being peacemakers, we are also given the ministry of reconciliation – reconciling people to God and reconciling one another in love.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” – Matthew 5:9

“All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” – 2nd Corinthians 5:18-20

Paul in his letter to the Ephesians also exhorted the church to “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3), which requires humility, patience, and bearing with others in love.

Let us be channels of God’s peace by exemplifying Christ’s life here on earth. Let us bring love and forgiveness in relationships that are scarred with hatred and hurt. Let us bring hope and light in a world that is filled with darkness and despair. Let us be reconcilers in every relationship filled with conflict and let our lives be a signpost that point people to Jesus Christ.

“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn His face toward you and give you [shalom].” – Numbers 6:24-26

“Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.” – 2nd Thessalonians 3:16.