Peace

This word. I’ve decided, I need to understand more about this word and trace it through the word of God. So, first, the definition from Strong’s concordance:

shâlôwm, shaw-lome’; or שָׁלֹם shâlôm; from H7999; safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health, prosperity, peace:—× do, familiar, × fare, favour, friend, × great, (good) health, (× perfect, such as be at) peace(-able, -ably), prosper(-ity, -ous), rest, safe(-ty), salute, welfare, (× all is, be) well, × wholly.

Strongs concordance

Let’s begin.

Then the LORD said to Abram, “Know this for certain: Your offspring will be resident aliens for four hundred years in a land that does not belong to them and will be enslaved and oppressed. However, I will judge the nation they serve, and afterward they will go out with many possessions. But you will go to your fathers in peace and be buried at a good old age.”

Genesis 15:13-15

This is part of the LORD’s promise to Abram. This is prophetic and we see in the chapters to come that all of this occurred, just as the LORD said. In this we can have peace, for in this world we will have trouble, but we can take heart because He has overcome the world.

They replied, “We have clearly seen how the LORD has been with you. We think there should be an oath between the two parties—between us and you. Let us make a covenant with you: you will not harm us, just as we have not harmed you but have done only what was good to you, sending you away in peace. You are now blessed by the LORD.

Genesis 26:28-29

Abimelech has come to Issac and asked to make a covenant of peace between them. Abimelech acknowledges Isaac has been blessed by the LORD. And so he asks for peace between them in the form of a promise.

Early in the morning Jacob took the stone that was near his head and set it up as a marker. He poured oil on top of it and named the place Bethel (House of God), though previously the city was name Luz. Then Jacob made a vow: “If God will be with me and watch over me during this journey I’m making, if he provides me with food to eat and clothing to wear, and if I return safely to my father’s family, then the LORD will be my God. This stone that I have set up as a marker will be God’s house, and I will give you a tenth of all that you give me. “

Genesis 28:18-22

Jacob makes a vow to the LORD. Look how many if (conditional) statements are found here. God was faithful through every one of these. God was with him. God did watch over him. God did provide food and clothing. Jacob did return to his father’s family. The word for peace here is safely. God gave him safety. God gave him peace.

Jacob asked the men at the well, “My brothers! Where are you from?” “We’re from Harlan,” they answered. “Do you know Laban grandson of Nahor?” Jacob asked them. They answered, “We know him.” “Is he well?” Jacob asked. “Yes,” they said, “and here is his daughter Rachel, coming with the sheep.”

Genesis 29:4-6

I’m so blessed this passage. One of my all time favorite hymns, It is well, echoes in this passage. Is he well (another form of peace)? Or the Amplified Version says, Is it shalom to him? They answer, he has peace. With the LORD, we are also able to say, it is well. We have peace. Why? Spirit. Jesus. The word. Over and over.

I’m going to have to come back to this again tomorrow. I can have peace with Christ in my pain. I can have peace with Christ when my circumstances look bleak. I’ll end with this.

Peace, be still.