The Shalom (Peace) of God
Shalom is a little Hebrew word with enormous significance. It is Hebrew for hello, goodbye, and, peace. It is a word that is full of hope when greeting someone, wishing them well as they leave, and expressing to them your positive desire for their wellbeing. Shalom implies wholeness, wellness, and contentedness.
It is the one word which says to a person as you greet them or say goodbye, “As we meet each other or as we depart, may your life be filled with hope, happiness, health, peace, prosperity, and all things good that can possibly be communicated.”
Shalom. A rich, deep, and powerfully meaningful word.
The Arabic equivalent of “shalom” is “salaam” and it means the same thing. As we live in a world filled with uncertainty and both external and internal conflict…and as we approach the season of Passover and the celebration of Messiah’s resurrection, let’s ponder the word…shalom.
Shalom Can Be Elusive
Shalom is not easy to come by. Though people strive for peace, very few people find it. Most spend their lives in pursuit of it. Whether the pursuit takes one in the direction of business, the arts, or family, everyone’s desire is to find that which satisfies and brings them shalom.
To a certain extent, finding satisfaction in life is what we are all striving for. Jewish people with whom we meet are looking for it. Those of us who know Jesus are also in one way or another are also searching for peace.
The reason we are all searching for shalom is because we live in a world that is not peaceful. Our lives are filled with turmoil of some sort. Void of peace. We are daily confronted by a world in disarray, broken, and lost...barraged at home, at work, from the internet and television. Bombarded by events both audible and visual that remind us how elusive shalom can be.
A quick perusal of the internet, social media, or the evening news is enough to shatter a person’s hope. At home we struggle with how to raise and protect our children. Distractions abound. For many, during the Covid pandemic, plans and dreams have been either put on hold or changed forever. We are compelled by a broken world to endeavor to bring shalom back into our lives.
We have recently received several calls from Christians needing help with their Jewish friends. We began our “Your Jewish Neighbor” Initiative because of the growing need in the Jewish community for help. We are regularly in touch with believers in Jesus with Jewish friends struggling through life, out of work, and experiencing marital challenges. People are in need of help, hope, and peace…but shalom is elusive. Especially in today’s world.
Shalom Can Be Fleeting
Once found, shalom can quickly disappear. The world around us is always changing, throwing new challenges in our direction. That which brings us shalom one moment may be gone the next or replaced by something else that robs us of the newly found shalom.
Do you ever find yourself on a Covid-related roller coaster? Hopeful one day…then discouraged the next? Did the most recent election throw you for a loop? The polls? The riots at the US Capitol? Speaking for our ministry and for our staff, Israel’s handling of the pandemic is top priority for us. We desperately want to go back to the country we love and to take people with us. We miss our friends and partnering ministries in the land and are in touch with them on a regular basis. One day we’re hopeful. The next day unsure.
Years ago a Jewish lady opened her heart to me. Her life was, at the time, enviable. She told me, though intrigued with the person of Jesus, she was afraid to explore his truth or accept him. Her fear was that if she accepted Jesus, God would send difficulty her way in order to test her faith. She was fearful her perceived “shalom” would disappear. Her life was wonderful. She had a successful husband and a lucrative business on her own. She was looking for shalom. She admitted that while money, health, and family, gave her fleeting satisfaction, inside she was empty and searching for meaning.
I explained to this young Jewish lady that though her external circumstances were “peaceful”, at some point something would happen down the road to challenge that “peacefulness.” Her perceived shalom was merely momentary peace that could be gone at any moment. I wonder how she is doing today...we have lost touch. Shalom is fleeting.
Real Shalom is Divine
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts and minds through Messiah Jesus.” - Rabbi Sha’ul (the Apostle Paul, Philippians 4:6-7)
Real shalom can only come from God - from a relationship with him through Messiah Jesus. It’s “otherworldly.” Our internal personal conflicts, those at home, and those created by external circumstances, can only be resolved by intervention from a holy God external to ourselves. Through him, a relationship with Jesus, and by the power of his spirit, peace can be realized. Jesus said he came to bring us shalom, but not like the world defines it at all.
“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.” - Yeshua, Jesus (John 14:27)
True shalom comes from understanding God’s shalom. It is a heart-motivated, spiritual contentment that comes from recognizing our inability to control our own circumstances. Trusting God, accepting his will, and understanding his ultimate sovereignty brings true peace.
Real Shalom is Found in a Person
The scriptures are clear: in this world we will have troubles. Pain is inevitable. But Yeshua, Jesus, said that he has overcome the world (John 16:33). The shalom that Jesus came to bring vastly surpasses any thing that we may try to gain here on this earth through human means. As someone who is Jewish, who searched the Jewish scriptures, I found God’s provision for that relationship in the person of Jesus, our resurrected Messiah, who came to bring peace to those who truly desire it.
Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the presence of God. Yeshua himself is our peace. He destroyed the wall of sin and darkness that divided us from God and from other people (Ephesians 2:14). The prophets referred to Messiah as the “Prince of Peace” or Sar Shalom (Isaiah 9:6). Lasting earthly peace will not come until Messiah, the Prince of Peace, returns to establish his Kingdom.
Personal shalom does not come from a change in circumstances, but from seeing our circumstances as an opportunity to turn to a loving holy God. A God who wants to walk with us through whatever circumstance we face.
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” - The Prophet Jeremiah (Jer 29:11)
Jesus came to bring shalom. He promised comfort for the afflicted, hope for the hopeless, joy for the weary, and peace for those in distress. Our circumstances may not change, but our focus can. When we put our focus on the One who knows and loves us, we will know that peace.
Proclaiming God’s Shalom
“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’” - The Prophet Isaiah (Is. 52:7)
It is an unfortunate reality that most Jewish people around the world - Israel included - are secular, liberal, and humanistic in their world view and understanding of spirituality. Most Jewish people really don’t know much about the bible and many are agnostic. Generally speaking, Jewish people see no connection between what is happening in the world today, or in Israel, with a sovereign God. To many Jewish people the story of the Exodus and God’s mighty arm of redemption is “nice” but not real. Most celebrate Passover not understanding the reality of the God of Passover. Certainly most (97%) don’t see Jesus in the Passover.
We, however, know the God of the Resurrection and Provider of Redemption. We know the Passover Lamb, who takes away the sin of the world. The only one who can bring lasting, true, and eternal shalom. Our heart is to share that peace with the Jewish people. To simply echo the words of the Prophet Isaiah: “Your God reigns! He is in control and his peace is available to you!”