Jehovah Shalom – The Lord our Peace –  8 October 2008

"So Gideon built an altar to the Lord there and called it The Lord is Peace.  To this day it stands in Ophrah of the Abiezrites" Judges 6:24 [NIV]

 

In Judges Chapter 6 we meet Gideon.  Israel had forgotten God "Every man did what was right in his own eyes". Judges 21:25 [NIV]

God had turned them over to their oppressors; they hid in caves and dens.  Basically, they had brought calamity upon themselves.

 

How would you feel if God suddenly came to you with the assignment to deliver your country from the enemy?  I think I'd dismiss it as some sort of fantasy film - although the idea of being a Lara Croft style character appeals to my ego - clearly no one like me would ever be called to do such a thing.  I guess that's exactly how Gideon felt when God appeared to him as he was threshing wheat and said; "I will make you strong.  Go and save Israel from the Midianites.  I am sending you!" Judges 6:14 [Living Bible]…. Hellooooooo??  You could think of Gideon as the opposite of David, not courageous, not bold, no leadership skills.  Gideon had only one thing going for him: God called him.  God saw Gideon differently than Gideon saw himself.

 

Probably as a delay tactic, Gideon asked for a sign of who was really speaking to him and begged to prepare a meal for his guest. Perhaps he hoped no one would be there when he got back with the meat and bread! but God was still there, waiting.  When Gideon returned, the angel of the Lord touched the sacrifice "and fire flamed up from the rock and consumed them" Judges 6:21 [NIV].  When Gideon understood he had been talking face to face with Jehovah it scared him more than what God was calling him to do, he thought he would die!  So the Lord said to Gideon, "Peace be with you; do not fear, you shall not die." Judges 6:23 and then Gideon built an altar in that place and called it, 'THE LORD IS PEACE' - Jehovah Shalom.

 

We try to hide our weaknesses from exposure to other people; however in the spiritual realm weakness is our greatest asset.  God says "But I am with you that is all you need, my power shows up best in weak people."  Now I am glad to boast about how weak I am; I am glad to be a living demonstration of Christ's power, instead of showing off my own power and abilities." 2 Corinthians 12:9 [Living Bible].

 

God deliberately chose Gideon because he WAS weak, Gideon continued to show this with the 'fleece episodes' (Judges 6:36-40).  He had seen God's face yet, still needed more proof! - Doubting Dawn relates to that - yet in God's strength he was able to change. 

 

Sometimes 'Shalom' is translated 'whole', or 'well', for me that is certainly a part of living in peace.  We have the cure for this stress filled society with its' hurry sickness - Jehovah Shalom - The Peace of God which surpasses all understanding.  Gideon recognized that true peace was not the absence of conflict between man and his enemy, but the absence of conflict between man and God……..'His will' be done.

 

Have you found your peace?