We are in chapter eighteen of Exodus with our word for today which is one of the two benefits of setting up qualified reliable men to help Moses lead. Yesterday we looked at the first benefit which was Moses would be able to continue to lead because he would not wear himself out and be able to endure the challenges of leadership. Today let’s look at that second benefit which is actually a phrase. יָבֹ֥א בְשָׁלֽוֹם go in peace. It is used 3 times in the Old Testament. Also closely related to these two words is this one word בְשָׁל֖וֹם in peace. Which is very similar to our phrase of going in peace. Is used 38 times in the Old Testament.
Our phrase is used to describe being set back to rest. This is the idea of being safe again from danger. Saul’s grandson uses this idea twice when referring to King David’s return from Absalom’s taking his throne through conspiracy. 2 Samuel 19:25, 30 Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, also went down to meet the king. He had not taken care of his feet or trimmed his mustache or washed his clothes from the day the king left until the day he returned בָּ֥א בְשָׁלֽוֹם safely… Mephibosheth said to the king, “Let him take everything, now that my lord the king has returned home בְּשָׁל֖וֹם safely.” It is used the same way by Ahab King of Israel. 1 Kings 22:27 This is what the king says: Put this fellow in prison and give him nothing but bread and water until I return בֹּאִ֥י בְשָׁלֽוֹם safely. This is the sense of how our phrase is used in our chapter today. Exodus 18:23 If you do this, God will direct you, you will be able to endure, and all this people also יָבֹ֥א בְשָׁלֽוֹם will go to their place in peace.” If we remember the context both the people and Moses were going to wear themselves out because Moses was trying to solve everyone’s dispute alone. Instead the people will be able to have their conflicts with each other resolved in a way that would make them whole and satisfy them. Which is the idea of peace that we have seen when we looked at it previously. That everything would be set back the way it needed to be at rest or at peace. God is the only one who can accomplish this completely. Psalm 29:10-11 The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord is enthroned as King forever. The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people בַשָּׁלֽוֹם with peace.
I’ll close with this great passage that talks about how God and his word brings us this wholeness of setting things right being able to go in peace. Isaiah 55:11-12 So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth וּבְשָׁל֖וֹם in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
