Have you ever heard of the saying, Shalom? It is a greeting or salutation and means peace in the Hebrew language. Some define peace as the absence of conflict, but shalom has a much richer and deeper definition than many people realize.
Contentment, prosperity, safety, welfare, friendship, and health are characteristics of shalom. Its foundation is rooted in God. He is the source of all peace.
This blessing, spoken over God’s people, says a lot.
The Lord bless you and protect you;
The Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.1
These words are from the heart of a loving and gracious heavenly Father. They express the nature of his kindness. Let’s dive deeper into this benediction.
Blessing includes adoration, favor, benefit, wellness and abundance in all things concerning spiritual, eternal and temporal matters. God first blessed Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. It is always his will to bless. Protect means to keep a close watch, pay attention to, guard, and observe. Think of a shepherd watching over a flock.
A figure of speech, “God’s face,” is used to describe his intimate presence. He is a joyful God, radiating his smiling face and benevolent nature upon his children. He bestows his tender mercies, lovingkindness and compassionate favor to his people.
God’s eyes gaze into ours, and he smiles with contentment. He fills us with a treasured gift, peace.
Peace is worth seeking and finding. It begins by seeking and finding God, the source of all peace.
There is a divine arrangement of the peace of God and a multitude of blessings.
We will explore some of these blessings in the upcoming articles.
Until then, Shalom.
1. Numbers 5:24-26 (NET)