Title: Jehovah Shalom
Jehovah Shalom
Judges 6:1-8:28
1. Introduction
On the morning of October 6 (Mon), on the Internet “Daum”, the subtitle “The late Choi Jin-sil” appeared. As soon as I saw the words “late” in front of my name, I felt a small shock. “Well, Choi Jin-sil is dead! Why would such a pretty and intelligent person die? What happened?” I did. So, I quickly turned on the TV and found out that while he had been suffering greatly from “abusive comments about playing chaebol-bullying-loneliness-divorce syndrome,” he drank with his colleagues the night before and came home and committed suicide. In any case, it was a waste - I couldn't get rid of the feeling of "I should have lived... I really had to live unconditionally.
We meditate on the existential confessions of those who have survived the most tragic circumstances of recent life to the God who saved them (Jehovah Jireh of Abraham, Jehovah Rapha-Jehovah Nissi of Moses, Jehovah Shalom of Gideon, Jehovah Reha of David) , Jehovah Chidkenu of Jeremiah, Jehoah Shammah of Ezekiel). The reason we meditate on these topics is that they believe in God, live and survive even in the extreme of tragedy, to the extent that they say, “It is better to die than to live like this.” It is to live with the realization that we must live unconditionally, even if it is tragic (Note: Fountain of the Word No. 526, we must still live) In this sense, we should meditate on “Jehovah Shalom of Gideon” again and again.
2. Jehovah Shalom
The word 根 (root) of shalom (peace) is “sh-l-m”. Shelem (reconciliation) - Shalam (to make a peace treaty) - Shalem (complete, total, full) - Shelum (retribution, recompense) - Solomon (man of peace) all have the same root. The atmosphere underlying the root “sh-l-m” refers to a state of perfection and unity - a state in which the distorted is restored to its original shape. In other words, peace that has come after the war is over - The peace offering that restores the relationship between God and man - A fair weight - The agreement is made and both parties are satisfied - Unfinished stone (Deuteronomy 27:6, Joshua 8:31) or It is the attitude of handling all polished stones with utmost sincerity. As such, it is not enough to simply understand shalom as the absence or resolution of wars and conflicts. Shalom is a word that contains the nuances of peace (eirene)-prosperity-hello-health-perfect-fairness-safety-fulfillment.
In the text of Judges 6:24, after Gideon met the angel of the Lord, he built an altar and named it Jehovah Shalom (The Lord is Peace).
3. Lessons from “Jehovah Shalom” (The God Who Gives Us Peace)
first. God is the One who gives “ability not according to ability, but ability according to work.” When God called Gideon to judge, Gideon said, “Lord, with what can I save Israel, my household is the weakest among Manasseh, and I am the least of my father’s household” (Judges 6:15). When God calls people and entrusts them with work, they look at themselves and feel their weakness. So, “I can’t. I can't. I can't help but confess, "It's impossible with my skills." Moses, David, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel were all the same.
Each time, God said, “I will be with you” (Judges 6:16). And he faithfully kept that promise. What does it mean? God does not entrust you with work that is appropriate for your abilities, but He is the One who fully pours out the power that is appropriate for your work. After receiving this promise from God, Gideon actually experienced shalom in his heart, so he built an altar and named it “Jehovah Shalom.”
second. God lifts up the little ones and puts the great to shame. Gideon was as strong as a swarm of locusts with only 300 warriors, and the innumerable number of camels defeated the enemy like the multitude of sand on the beach (Judges 7:12). God faithfully kept his promise with Gideon (I will be with you).
In the reality of life, we too, face as many problems as swarms of grasshoppers and as numerous as grains of sand on the beach (economic crisis - various diseases - children's problems - work conflict - human relations - old age - miscellaneous family problems - psychological wounds, etc.) one? What will happen? can i live We lose our shalom (peace) through worry, worry, and anxiety. But the Bible tells us not to live like that. Like Gideon, He tells us to believe in “Jehovah Shalom” and live. Why? how?
*There is no king who is saved by many armies, and the mighty man is mighty, but he cannot save himself (Psalm 33:16) *I will not rely on my bow, nor will my sword save me (Psalm 44:6) *The Lord's For this multitude will know that salvation does not come from sword and spear, for war belongs to the Lord (1 Samuel 17:47).
third. God is the giver of complete peace. Gideon won the Battle of Harod Spring (Judges 7:1), but was not satisfied with it. He pursued and executed the two Midianite princes Oreb and Zeeb, and the two Midianite kings Sheba and Zalmunna as far as Nobah and Jokbeha (Judges 8:11). He achieved complete shalom (peace) by cutting off the head, not the lizard's tail.
There are people who die because there is no way to live. It's not a matter of making a living, but there are people who die because of the meaninglessness of life - self-hatred. I wish I had done that. But you must live nonetheless. must survive. *His wrath is temporary, but his grace is for a lifetime. Weeping is stagnant in the evening, but joy comes in the morning...You have turned my sorrows into dances; You have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy (Psalm 30). :1-12) You must believe and live the Word.