Shalom

by H. King, Kirkintilloch, Scotland | Category: General | Sept 1989

If you lived in Israel today one word you would hear very often is SHALOM, because it has a variety of meanings, and frequently comes into daily conversation. It is a word of greeting for all occasions of meeting and parting, and on the Sabbath they say, "SHABAT SHALOM".

The root meaning of the word is "peace" and you may recall some names in the Bible that have SHALOM in them, for example: Solomon (peaceful), Absalom (Father of Peace), Jerusalem (City of Peace).

One very interesting use of the word is in the story of the woman of Shunem, in 2 Kings 4. When the woman's little boy died, in her deep sorrow she went to see Elisha, the man of God. Elisha sent his servant Gehazi to meet her and Gehazi said, "Is it well with thee? Is it well with thy husband? Is it well with the child?" In these three questions the phrase, "Is it well?" is simply the word "Shalom". In reply she said only "SHALOM", "It is well". She must have had wonderful faith in God to give this answer in such circumstances.

In Leviticus 3 we have the sacrifice of peace offerings. This shows us one of the features of the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ who "made peace through the blood of His cross" (Col. 1:20). As a result of this, those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ are reconciled to God. Previously we were estranged from God because of our sin. Now, because "He (Christ) is our peace" (Eph. 2:14) we have peace with God and can enjoy communion with Him.

H. King, Kirkintilloch, Scotland | Sept 1989
General