Is There Real Hope For Shalom?
Shalom in this world?
Have you ever looked around and felt like things are hopeless? Did you ever think when watching the news, all news is bad news? Reports of one problem after another?
If we are honest, even in our best days we have to admit we live in a pretty broken place. Beauty, goodness and generosity certainly can be found in the world, but sometimes they seem almost completely overwhelmed by the multiplied occurrences of trouble, violence, and injustice.
Is there hope for peace, for true Shalom?
We believe there is! We don’t believe our current state of affairs is as good as it gets. There is hope. We even believe peace is something you can experience right now.
What does Shalom mean?
Let’s explore some of the biblical vision of Shalom. The word definitely means “peace” but the Hebrew concept of Shalom goes well beyond the absence of conflict or violence. Shalom communicates a sense of completeness, wholeness, wellness. That things are right in the world.
Is that realistic for our lives? In a world filled with crime, violence, terrorism, disease, and disasters both natural and man-made? Can true Shalom be reached or are we chasing after a fantasy?
Societies and governments haven’t been consistently great at creating or maintaining peace. As individuals, we recognize how often we fall short in truly loving others as ourselves. Who of us has not contributed to interpersonal conflicts?
One piece of literature is brutally honest about human failures: the Bible. Yet even with this penetrating view of our shortcomings, the scriptures offer us hope for the Shalom that always seems out of our reach.
The Vision of Isaiah
As one example, let’s look at the vision of the prophet Isaiah.
It shall come to pass in the latter days
that the mountain of the house of the LORD
shall be established as the highest of the mountains,
and shall be lifted up above the hills;
and all the nations shall flow to it,
and many peoples shall come, and say:
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
to the house of the God of Jacob,
that he may teach us his ways
and that we may walk in his paths.”
For out of Zion shall go forth the law,
and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
He shall judge between the nations,
and shall decide disputes for many peoples;
and they shall beat their swords into plowshares,
and their spears into pruning hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war anymore.
(Isaiah 2:2-4)
Individually
We believe this is talking about a real time in the future — surely something to joyfully anticipate!
But one may ask, what about now? Is this some far-off time and place which has no relation to my life now, no bearing on the world in which we currently live?
If that’s the case, we might think, Who cares that the future is so bright? What difference does this make for me today?
While this era of perfect Shalom is promised for the future, we believe the blessings of the peace described here can be experienced today.
Why do we think that? Let’s consider this first. What if before we experience Shalom in our country, city, or even our homes we as individuals first have to know peace internally?
What if you must be in a place of Shalom personally before that Shalom touches the world around you?
If that’s the case, how does that happen? How can we move, one person at a time, toward that time in which swords will be beaten into plowshares?
The one who brings peace and justice
In Isaiah 9, the prophet also wrote also about a “Peace bringer,” a very special child who would be born.
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
A child who ultimately would be king:
and the government shall be upon his shoulder.
(Isaiah 9:5)
Beyond that:
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
(Isaiah 9:6)
And what kind of peace? One without limits:
Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
(Isaiah 9:7) [1]
This is a beautiful promise of Someone who will lead the world on a path to Shalom. This is the Messiah.
Not only that, Isaiah indicates this Messiah has to be divine. Just look at his Names. He is not only called “prince of peace” but also “Mighty G-d,” and “Everlasting Father.”
This makes perfect sense, because the kind of Shalom described here can only come from G-d.
Who is this?
Who is this Messiah? We believe this Prince of Peace is Jesus of Nazareth. He is the one who will establish the world where Shalom is without end.
The Scriptures reveal Jesus lived a perfect life. He was G-d in the flesh, living among men. He spoke about the kingdom, that world to come in which true Shalom is experienced.
Jesus identified the barriers to Shalom. He preached against the evil impulses of our hearts which are the root all of crimes, violence and hatred — those things that disrupt Shalom.
Many have pointed out humanity’s wickedness, but Jesus acted to remedy our greatest problem. He died to make atonement for our sins so there can be peace between us and G-d. And his resurrection to eternal life gives us the promise of resurrection and everlasting life. We now have the bright hope of spending eternity in peace with G-d and each other.
The night before Jesus died he told his closest followers:
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you,
Not as the world give do I give you.
Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. (John 14:27)
That offer of peace, a peace that is unlike what the world can give, is available to you today. If you want to know more about this Shalom, or if you’d have questions, please let us know. We’d like to talk with you.
See also :
[1] In Hebrew Isaiah 9:4-6.