Title: The Peace of God
Contents
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22. The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
23. Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, This is how you bless the children of Israel, saying,
24. The LORD bless you and keep you,
25. May the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious;
26. The LORD will turn his face upon you and say, ‘Peace be upon you.
27. They shall thus bless the children of Israel in my name, and I will bless them.
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4. Rejoice in the Lord always, I say again, rejoice
5. Make known to all your generosity, for the Lord is near.
6. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
7. Then the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Content
Title: The Peace of God
Text: Numbers 6:22-27, Philippians 4:4-7
The Hebrew word “shalom”, translated as “peace,” “peace,” and “peace,” is a natural greeting that Israelis exchange when they meet (1 Samuel 25:6; 1 Chronicles 12:18). “Shalom” is translated as “Eirene” in Greek and is used as the same greeting (Luke 10:5-6, 24:36; 1 Thessalonians 1:1, 1 Peter 1:2; 5:14). Its roots lead to creation (Genesis 1:28), election (Genesis 12:1-3), and the covenant relationship at Sinai. It is embodied in the priests' blessing (Numbers 6:22-27), which reflects the relationship between God, the master of history, and the chosen people, Israel. The etymological meaning of the Hebrew word ‘shalom’ is ‘complete, complete, full’ (be sound, complete, full), which has various meanings. In the Septuagint of the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, shalom has more than 25 meanings. In the creation article, ‘It was good to see. It was very good” (Genesis 1:31).
God's blessing is at the center of creation, election, and covenant relationship. The core of that covenant relationship appears in the sacrificial system. This is why the priests' blessings occupy an important place in the priesthood system. In giving this blessing, we sense God's firm will to materialize the blessing He gave to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3). The word ‘blessing’ in verse 24 means all kinds of good things. It's not just a good and rich influence in the abstract sense. It includes all things real, temporal, spiritual, and spiritual. It is holistic and total prosperity and grace. ‘I want to keep you’ is a grace that not only gives good things to your people, but also protects them from the hands of enemies who want to usurp them. This is the “consideration of love, which is counted down to the very hairs of your head” (Luke 12:7).
“Let his face shine upon you” in verse 25 is a typical expression of Hebrew literature, and “face” symbolizes your divine character and will. It means the removal of all darkness and despair, the restoration of grace full of vitality and the giving of joy. ‘Wish to show you grace’ is a good and practical influence that will inevitably be given to those souls when the face of God is reflected on them. Grace means ‘bend your upper body toward the person below’, and it is an expression of boundless compassion and God’s fervent love. The expression of God's special interest in verse 26, “I turn his face toward you” (Psalm 30:7). ‘Peace be upon you’ is the top of the blessing prayer. Peace is the sum total of all the graces and love your people need. It is an amazing absolute peace that transcends the relative limitations of all circumstances.
Today's New Testament text (Philippians 4:4-7) is the last part of Paul's epistles in prison, the epistle of joy. ‘Rejoice in the Lord always! I say again, rejoice! (verse 4) ‘In the Lord’ is the dimension of life in which the grace of peace is guaranteed. It is an area where there is never condemnation. This is the area where the law of the Spirit of life is being enforced (Romans 8:1-2). ‘Again, I say this’ is the emphasis. Tolerance is a response to those who hinder the Christian's divine joy to taste and enjoy (v. 5). Acceptance as we are is, of course, a response to leaving the hand of God. The expectation of gratitude is the handling (response) of all things that can happen in the life of living according to this Word. “Then you will enjoy the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding (transcending circumstances and limitations)” (v. 7). Hallelujah Amen.