{"id":1319,"date":"2018-11-05T15:03:32","date_gmt":"2018-11-05T22:03:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/drbarrick.org\/?p=1319"},"modified":"2018-11-05T15:03:32","modified_gmt":"2018-11-05T22:03:32","slug":"shalom-living-for-gods-people","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/drbarrick.org\/?p=1319","title":{"rendered":"Shalom Living for God&#8217;s People"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-1323 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/drbarrick.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/IMG_7862-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/>In 2014, as part of my participation in the ministries of Abraham Lincoln Foundation of Albania (ALFA), Robb Provost (ministry director) asked me to prepare and present a study about &#8220;<em>shalom<\/em> living&#8221; from the Old Testament. Throughout the history of ALFA\u00a0team members sought to demonstrate this kind of living and ministry in the country of Albania. Now I share that study on my personal web site at the time I have completed fifteen years of service on the ALFA board and stepped off the board. My heart and enthusiastic support continue for that ministry May the following brief outline study encourage others to also get more plugged in to &#8220;<em>shalom<\/em> living&#8221; at home and abroad.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>\u2014\u2014\u2014<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>The Hebrew noun <em>shalom<\/em> and its related words possess a wide semantic range in the Hebrew Bible, the Christian Old Testament. The semantic range represents a wide variety of potential meanings:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\u201cpeace,\u201d \u201cfriendship,\u201d \u201chappiness,\u201d \u201cwell-being,\u201d \u201cprosperity,\u201d \u201chealth\u201d<\/li>\n<li>\u201cwholeness,\u201d \u201ccompleteness,\u201d \u201csoundness\u201d<\/li>\n<li>\u201csatisfaction,\u201d \u201csufficiency\u201d<\/li>\n<li>\u201cagreement,\u201d \u201ctreaty\u201d<\/li>\n<li>\u201cuninjured,\u201d \u201csafe\u201d<\/li>\n<li>\u201crepayment,\u201d \u201crestitution\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>Shalom<\/em> itself occurs 237 times in the Old Testament (93x in the Historical books, 82x in the Prophets, 27x in Psalms, 26x in the Pentateuch, and 9x in the Wisdom books).\u00a0Too often Bible students seize upon one meaning and make it the root meaning, which they then impose upon nearly every occurrence. The most abused meaning refers to \u201cwholeness,\u201d \u201ccompleteness,\u201d or \u201cfulfillment.\u201d<\/p>\n<h4><\/h4>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>1.0 \u00a0Living <em>Shalom<\/em> Socially<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><strong>1.1<\/strong> \u00a0Joshua \u201cmade <em>shalom<\/em>\u201d with the Gibeonites (Joshua 10:1\u20134; see Joshua 9).<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>That <em>shalom<\/em> involved a mutual commitment.<\/li>\n<li>That <em>shalom<\/em> threatened others in the region.<\/li>\n<li>That <em>shalom<\/em> came about through one party\u2019s subterfuge.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>1.2<\/strong> \u00a0Friendly alliances and social or communal relations express an attitude of <em>shalom<\/em> (Genesis 34).<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Jacob and his family showed <em>shalom<\/em> to the Hivites in Canaan (Genesis 34:21).<\/li>\n<li>Jacob\u2019s disobedient sons turned <em>shalom<\/em> on its head.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>1.3<\/strong> \u00a0<em>Shalom<\/em> can involve entering into commercial enterprises (1 Kings 5:1\u201312).<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><em>Shalom<\/em> sometimes begins with a faithful father\u2019s example (1 Kings 5:1).<\/li>\n<li>Partnership in a great spiritual enterprise can rely heavily upon <em>shalom<\/em> (1 Kings 5:2\u20136).<\/li>\n<li><em>Shalom<\/em> and wisdom operate hand in hand (1 Kings 5:7, 12).<\/li>\n<li>A permanent commitment can arise out of <em>shalom<\/em> (1 Kings 5:12).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>1.4<\/strong> \u00a0The New Testament instructs believers, \u201cIf possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men\u201d (Romans 12:18, NAU; cf. Hebrews 12:14).<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><em>Shalom<\/em> involves a mutual commitment in which the obedient believer must take the lead role (cp. 1 Corinthians 7:15).<\/li>\n<li><em>Shalom<\/em> might threaten others (believers and unbelievers alike).<\/li>\n<li><em>Shalom<\/em> might be entered through the other party\u2019s subterfuge\u2014the other party can be an unbeliever or group of unbelievers.<\/li>\n<li>The believer\u2019s disobedience turns <em>shalom<\/em> on its head.<\/li>\n<li>Believing parents teach <em>shalom<\/em> by example to their children.<\/li>\n<li><em>Shalom<\/em> establishes long-lasting partnerships\u2014even with unbelievers.<\/li>\n<li>Wise behavior produces <em>shalom<\/em> even in the most hostile environment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><\/h4>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>2.0 \u00a0Living <em>Shalom<\/em> Salvifically<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><strong>2.1 \u00a0<\/strong>The Lord seeks<em> shalom<\/em> for His people through the forgiveness of sins (Psalm 85).<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>God graciously forgives the sins of the rebellious living under His judgment (Psalm 85:1\u20133; cp. Romans 5:1).<\/li>\n<li>The Lord, in His steadfast loyal love and mercy delights to save and restore objects of His wrath (Psalm 85:4\u20137).<\/li>\n<li>The Lord speaks <em>shalom<\/em> to His people and His glory dwells among them (Psalm 85:8\u20139).<\/li>\n<li>When the Lord\u2019s righteousness and <em>shalom<\/em> \u201ckiss each other,\u201d His people experience the fullest truth, justice, and good (Psalm 85:10\u201313).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>2.2 \u00a0<\/strong><em>Shalom<\/em> comprises an essential element in God\u2019s kingdom plan (Micah 4:1\u20135).<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The community of believers join together to obey the Lord\u2019s Word and to worship Him (Micah 4:1\u20132).<\/li>\n<li>The Lord\u2019s righteous judgment produces <em>shalom<\/em> and abolishes conflict (Micah 4:3).<\/li>\n<li>The Lord\u2019s kingdom will be a time of satisfaction and security (Micah 4:4).<\/li>\n<li>The kingdom will involve His people\u2019s commitment to act as those who belong to the Lord and who exhibit His character (Micah 4:5).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>2.3 \u00a0<\/strong><em>Shalom<\/em> results from the Lord\u2019s gracious blessing upon His priestly servants (Numbers 6:22\u201327).<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The Lord\u2019s priestly servants must speak blessing upon His people (Numbers 6:22\u201323).<\/li>\n<li>The Lord\u2019s priestly servants merely convey His blessing (Numbers 6:24\u201325).<\/li>\n<li>The Lord Himself gives <em>shalom<\/em> (Numbers 6:26).<\/li>\n<li>The Lord blesses His priestly servants for being active in the blessing that produces <em>shalom<\/em> (Numbers 6:27).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>2.4 \u00a0<\/strong><em>Shalom<\/em> and righteousness co-exist in God\u2019s kingdom (Isaiah 32:16\u201320).<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><em>Shalom<\/em> itself is a righteous work (Isaiah 32:17a).<\/li>\n<li><em>Shalom<\/em> involves tranquility and confidence (Isaiah 32:17b).<\/li>\n<li><em>Shalom<\/em> abides when world powers and civilization itself fall apart and come crashing down (Isaiah 32:18\u201319).<\/li>\n<li><em>Shalom<\/em> results in God\u2019s blessing (Isaiah 32:20).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>2.5 \u00a0<\/strong>Isaiah speaks of the <em>Sar Shalom<\/em>, \u201cthe Prince of Peace\u201d (Isaiah 9:6)\u2014the Messiah.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>He paid the full sacrificial price for our <em>shalom<\/em> (Isaiah 53:5; cp. John 14:27).<\/li>\n<li>Christ Himself is our <em>shalom<\/em>, having established <em>shalom<\/em> for \u201caliens and strangers\u201d who are now brought into one household (Ephesians 2:14\u201322).<\/li>\n<li>The gospel He sends us to preach is the gospel of <em>shalom<\/em> (Isaiah 52:7; Ephesians 6:15).<\/li>\n<li>He is our Lord, our Savior, our Example (cp. Luke 1:74\u201379).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><\/h4>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>3.0 \u00a0Living <em>Shalom<\/em> Sagaciously<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">See 1 Kings 5, above (<strong>1.3<\/strong>).<\/p>\n<p><strong>3.1 \u00a0<\/strong>S<em>halom<\/em> results from living wisely according to God\u2019s instructions (Proverbs 3:13\u201318).<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Great blessing attends the acquisition of godly wisdom (Proverbs 3:13\u201315).<\/li>\n<li>Wisdom can produce longevity, riches, honor, and happiness (Proverbs 3:16, 18).<\/li>\n<li>Wisdom results in <em>shalom<\/em> (Proverbs 3:17; see James 3:17\u201318).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>3.2 \u00a0<\/strong>There are those for whom God\u2019s people should not seek <em>shalom<\/em> (Deuteronomy 23:6 NAU, \u201cYou shall never seek their <em>shalom<\/em> or their prosperity all your days\u201d).<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The wicked will not experience <em>shalom<\/em> (Isaiah 48:22 NAU, \u201c\u2018There is no <em>shalom<\/em> for the wicked,\u2019 says the LORD\u201d).<\/li>\n<li>The unbeliever mistakenly believes he is experiencing <em>shalom<\/em>, when he is not and will not (Deuteronomy 29:18\u201321). He\/She will feel the full weight of God\u2019s wrath-filled curse, rather than His grace-filled blessing.<\/li>\n<li>Discerning when to seek and when to not seek <em>shalom<\/em> requires God-given, Word-driven wisdom. (See Jesus\u2019 instructions to His seventy disciples in Luke 10:1\u201316; esp. vv. 5\u20136.)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><\/h4>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Concluding Thoughts and Implications<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Jeremiah employs the word <em>shalom<\/em> more than any other prophet or biblical book (31x).\u00a0The prophet Jeremiah, by the Lord\u2019s command, sent a written message to the exiles in Babylon (Jeremiah 29:1\u201314), in which he<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>instructs them to settle down and live among their captors (Jeremiah 29:4\u20136);<\/li>\n<li>commands the exiles to \u201cSeek the <em>shalom<\/em> of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf; for in its <em>shalom<\/em> you will have <em>shalom<\/em>\u201d (Jeremiah 29:7); and,<\/li>\n<li>reveals that the Lord has plans of <em>shalom<\/em> (which gives hope [<em>tikwah<\/em>]) for His people (Jeremiah 29:11).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Today, as priests of God (1 Peter 2:9\u201310), we bear the responsibility of a mission of <em>shalom<\/em> to the nations of the world.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>We live among all the nations as servants of the Prince of <em>Shalom<\/em>.<\/li>\n<li>We must seek the <em>shalom<\/em> of the people among whom we live\u2014socially, sagaciously, and salvifically\u2014even if they employ subterfuge or remain hostile to our faith.<\/li>\n<li>We must pray earnestly for their <em>shalom\u2014<\/em>especially for their salvation.<\/li>\n<li>We must sacrificially serve them for their <em>shalom\u2014<\/em>loving them without expectation of any return of love or reward.<\/li>\n<li>In their <em>shalom<\/em> we will experience our own <em>shalom<\/em> to its fullest extent this side of eternity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u201cTherefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in <strong>peace<\/strong> [= <em>shalom<\/em>], spotless and blameless\u201d (2 Peter 3:14 NAU).<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In 2014, as part of my participation in the ministries of Abraham Lincoln Foundation of Albania (ALFA), Robb Provost (ministry director) asked me to prepare and present a study about &#8220;shalom living&#8221; from the Old Testament. Throughout the history of ALFA\u00a0team members sought to demonstrate this kind of living and ministry in the country of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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