Musing - Why do we bid each other 'Shalom', or ‘Peace'?

          

Hebraic Musing - Why do we bid each other 'Shalom', or ‘Peace'?

The Bible provides a very detailed description of Solomon’s building of the temple starting in 1 Kings 5:13.  Notably just before the plan to build a home for the LORD, in v12 we are told “The Lord gave Solomon wisdom, just as he had promised him. There were peaceful relations between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a treaty.” NIV  The Temple Mount in Jerusalem was to be the permanent home for the LORD.

Could it be that to build a dwelling for worshipping, respecting, giving honor and glorification to the LORD in our lives we need to have peace in our lives?  Sages teach that for the LORD to have a home, there must be peace; peace is a pre-requisite for building the House of God.  And in the NT we learn that our body is to be the temple of the Holy Spirit. So how important is peace in our body, soul and spirit?  Solomon in all his wisdom knew that he had to have peace with his neighbor Hiram if he was to build a home for the LORD.

Rabbi Eckstein[1] points out that “God’s essence is peace, so the more we have peace, the more we will be able to encounter God. A war-torn, strife-ridden environment isn’t conducive to godliness. If we want to have a deep and meaningful relationship with God, we will have to sort out our relationships with each other.”  And he concluded that “If we want to experience the peace of God, we have to make peace with each other. And if we want to be able to build His Temple, we must start by building better relationships with all His children.” After all, one of God’s names is “Jehovah Shalom”!  

Have you noticed the spirit of mature Christians and practicing Jews is one of peace and reconciliation with neighbors; whereas non-believers are typically more prone to be struggling with their relationships.  In fact, some Christians find themselves in a struggle with interpersonal relationships; and it seems those same Christians tend to be struggling in their efforts to become “close to God.” And this is often despite their time in prayer, Bible study and church attendance. 

What better way to be at peace with your neighbors than to be a giver – missions, Tzedakah, community service, ministering, interceding, visiting, evangelizing, etc.?  And also to be a forgiver of those who have wronged you.

May He enjoy His dwelling place, His tabernacle, in you.

Point to ponder

Why do the last five or six of the ten ‘commandments’
deal with relationships with neighbors?

Have you ever seen an angry, selfish, unsociable person
 who is also close to God?

So, I close by bidding you Shalom, and a closer walk with Adonai             February 26, 2013

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd

Author “Hebraic Insights – 95 messages exploring the Hebrew Roots of Christian faith”

Author “Biblical Marriage” (to be published in June 2012)

Weekly e-mails “Hebraic Musings”  to be added to distribution -- Yosef1@cox.net
Web-site   www.InsightsByYosef.com

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[1] ^{Holy Land Moments by Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein – Feb. 15, 2013}