Christmas brings to mind the theme of peace, but ironically it’s one of the most stressful times of year! In today’s lesson we’ll explore the concept of peace (“Shalom” in Hebrew) and where it comes from in the Bible.
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Christmas brings to mind the theme of peace, but ironically it’s one of the most stressful times of year!
- We’re supposed to have peace at Christmas time… but then we have to hang out with the inlaws?!
- Early days of marriage, flying home for christmas, kids, presents, families, etc
In today’s lesson we’ll explore the concept of peace (“Shalom” in Hebrew) and where it comes from in the Bible.
- We ended last time with Isaiah 9:6-7 (NLT) For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
- the first of Isaiah’s 25 references to peace!
Context for Judah in Isaiah’s day
- O.T. Peace was always about war ceasing and enemies being defeated.
- Enemies attacking from North
- King Ahaz wanted to form an alliance with pagan nations; God said to trust him, he would give a sign
- Original meaning of Shalom - is much bigger than absence of conflict, wars ceasing.
- It means to make things whole, complete. To restore, heal what’s broken.
- Life is complex and stressful; shalom is God’s antidote to that.
Peace is not just the absence of conflict. It’s the presence of wholeness.
Trans: Today I want to talk about three types of “Shalom”
Peace with God
Peace with God is the starting point for wholeness in every other area of our lives. This kind of “shalom” happens in the spiritual realm: God makes peace with us through the person and work of Jesus, the Prince of Peace.
- Our natural state is NOT shalom
- We are enemies with God
- We are children of wrath
- We are broken, incomplete
- Back to Isaiah. We already looked at 9:6. Look at the next verse:
- Isaiah 9:7 (NLT) His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!
- (Bible Knowledge Commentary (2 Vols.)) This will all be accomplished by the zeal of the Lord Almighty. The coming of the millennial kingdom depends on God, not Israel. The Messiah will rule because God promised it and will zealously see that the kingdom comes. Without His sovereign intervention there would be no kingdom for Israel.
- (Bible Knowledge Commentary (2 Vols.)) Apparently Isaiah assumed that the messianic Child, Jesus Christ, would establish His reign in one Advent, that when the Child grew up He would rule in triumph. Like the other prophets, Isaiah was not aware of the...
