The Lord our Peace (Jehovah-Shalom)

AUDIO TEACHINGS

“19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us - by me, Silvanus, and Timothy––was not "Yes and no," but in him was "Yes." 20 For all the promises of God in him are "Yes," and in him "Amen," to the glory of God through us.” (2Corinthians 1:19-20 EMTV)

The title Jehovah-Shalom is used only in Judges 6:24 “Then Gideon built an altar there unto Jehovah, and called it Jehovah–shalom: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.”

Jehovah Shalom {shaw-lome} "Jehovah is our peace"

OLD TESTAMENT: Shalom (Peace) is used of completeness, soundness, welfare, health, prosperity, tranquility, quiet, contentment, peace, friendship, peace from war. It communicates oneness, and therefore, a state of untroubled, undisturbed well-being.

Let's look at how this word is used in the Bible(keeping our eyes open for what God has to teach us about having peace).

OLD TESTAMENT uses (Strong's Concordance #7965 Word Study):

Look at how God uses this word. Look for what He is teaching you about having peace.

• Genesis 43:27-28 And he asked them of their welfare <7965>, and said, Is your father well <7965>, the old man of whom ye spake? Is he yet alive? And they answered, Thy servant our father is in good health <7965>, he is yet alive. And they bowed down their heads, and made obeisance.
• Exodus 18:7 And Moses went out to meet his father in law, and did obeisance, and kissed him; and they asked each other of their welfare <7965>; and they came into the tent.
• 1Samuel 25:6 And thus shall ye say to him that liveth in prosperity, Peace <7965> be both to thee, and peace <7965> be to thine house, and peace <7965> be unto all that thou hast.
• 2Samuel 11:7 “And when Urijah had come to him, David asked how Joab prospered <7965>, and how the people prospered <7965>, and how the war prospered <7965>.”
• 2Samuel 20:9 And Joab said to Amasa, Art thou in health <7965>, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him.
• 1Kings 4:24-25 For he had dominion over all the region on this side the river, from Tiphsah even to Azzah, over all the kings on this side the river: and he had peace <7965> on all sides round about him.25 And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.
• 1Chronicles 22:9 Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace <7965> and quietness unto Israel in his days.
• 2Chronicles 15:5 And in those times there was no peace <7965> to him that went out, nor to him that came in, but great vexations were upon all the inhabitants of the countries.
• Job 15:21 A dreadful sound is in his ears: in prosperity <7965> the destroyer shall come upon him.
• Job 21:9 Their houses are safe <7965> from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them.
• Psalms 4:8 I will both lay me down in peace <7965>, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.
• Psalms 35:27 Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity <7965> of his servant.
• Psalms 38:3 There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest <7965> in my bones because of my sin.
• Psalms 41:9 Yea, mine own familiar <7965> friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.
• Psalms 119:165 Great peace <7965> have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.
• Psalms 120:7 I am for peace <7965>: but when I speak, they are for war.
• Psalms 122:7 Peace <7965> be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.
• Isaiah 9:6-7 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace <7965>. Of the increase of his government and peace <7965> there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
• Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect <7965> peace <7965>, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
• Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace <7965>; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
• Isaiah 41:3 He pursued them, and passed safely <7965>; even by the way that he had not gone with his feet.
• Iaiah 48:22 There is no peace <7965>, saith the LORD, unto the wicked.
• Iaiah 52:7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace <7965>; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
• Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement (punishment) which achieved our peace <7965> was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
• Isaiah:13 And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace <7965> of thy children.
• Isaiah 55:12 For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace <07965>: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
• Isaiah 57:19 I create the fruit of the lips; Peace <7965>, peace <7965> to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the LORD; and I will heal him.
• Jeremiah 8:15 We looked for peace <7965>, but no good came; and for a time of health, and behold trouble!
• Jeremiah 33:6 Behold, I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure them, and will reveal unto them the abundance of peace <7965> and truth.
• Jeremiah 38:4 Therefore the princes said unto the king, We beseech thee, let this man be put to death: for thus he weakeneth the hands of the men of war that remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, in speaking such words unto them: for this man seeketh not the welfare <7965> of this people, but the hurt.
• Lamentations 3:17 And thou hast removed my soul far off from peace <7965>: I forgat prosperity.
• Haggai 2:9 The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace <7965>, saith the LORD of hosts.
• Zechariah 8:12 For the seed shall be prosperous <7965>; the vine shall give her fruit, and the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things.

NEW TESTAMENT: "Peace" is used of harmony, concord, oneness; resulting in security, safety, prosperity, felicity, (because peace and harmony make and keep things safe and prosperous). The New Testament Greek word for peace is “eirene” which is understood to come from a root word meaning “to join.” See 2Chronicles. 18:1-3

Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary: Tranquil: Quiet; calm; undisturbed; peaceful; not agitated. Opp: strife, division, conflict, tribulation, being troubled or fearful.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

What kind of peace is this?

Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
We have peace with God because of the blood of the cross (Ephesians 2:13-14). “For he himself (Christ Jesus) is our peace…” This is the doctrine out from which comes the practice of manifesting peace with God because we live as ones who have peace with God. Jesus Christ’s blood was shed to pay for every error of mankind (1John 2:2). Because all of our errors have been cleansed by his blood we have been justified. This is why we have peace with God – we have been justified.

Romans 4:25-5:1 "who (Jesus our Lord) was delivered up for our offenses and raised for our justification. Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

Romans 5:10 "For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, shall we be saved by his life; 11 and not only so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation."
Ephesians 2:13-14 "But now in Christ Jesus ye that once were far off are made near in (by) the blood of Christ. For he is our peace."

NEW TESTAMENT uses (Strong's Concordance #1515 Word Study):

• Mark 5:34 And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace <1515>, and be whole of thy plague.
• Luke 7:50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace <1515>.
• Luke 8:48 And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace <1515>.
• Luke 24:36 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace <1515> be unto you.
• Matthew 10:13 And if the house be worthy, let your peace <1515> come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace <1515> return to you.
• Luke 10:5 And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace <1515> be to this house. Luke 10:6 And if the son (follower) of peace <1515> be there, your peace <1515> shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.
• Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace <1515> with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
• Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace <1515>, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
• Philippians 4:6-7 “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace <1515> of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
• Colossians 3:15 And let the peace <1515> of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
• 2Peter 1:2 Grace and peace <1515> be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

We were enemies of God (Romans 5:10), having no hope and without God in this world (Ephesians 2:12b). But Jesus Christ died to pay for everything that stood between us and God. Now we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. God had promised to achieve our peace by the promised Christ bearing our due punishment. All of the promises of God find their “yea” and “amen” in Christ.

In Christ we have safety, security, prosperity, felicity. Jehovah is all these promises to us through Christ. Since God is now for us, who or what could be against us? (Romans 8:31) We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ our Mercy Seat

AUDIO TEACHINGS

BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW:

1. God designed Mankind in his own image – Genesis 1:26-28
2. Man’s turning away from God – sin, separation from God. This is called “death.”
3. God’s restoration for Man – the Christ, A) To being reconciled to God – Romans 5:10-11 B) Joined to (peace with) God – Romans 5:1 C) Life with God – John 10:10, John 20:30-31, Romans 6:4 & 8:2
4. This restoration is “the Mercy Seat,” called “propitiation". This is where God had planned that every one of the sins of all the ages of Mankind would be appeased. So now, God is not holding anything against us. The justice of the Just Judge, God, has been satisfied. Jesus Christ as our Mercy Seat is our restoration to God, to the way God designed life to be in all of its fullness. One way to see this is through the eyes of the book of Romans.

Romans 3:21-26: “But now, apart from the law, God’s righteousness has been revealed––attested by the Law and the Prophets ––that is, God’s righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ, to all who believe, since there is no distinction. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. They are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. God presented Him as a propitiation (mercy seat) in His blood through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness , because in His restraint God passed over the sins previously committed. He presented Him to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and declare righteous the one who has faith in Jesus.”

PROPITIATION:

Christ Jesus, “Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation by his blood, through faith, to declare His righteousness because in His restraint God passed over the sins previously committed .” (Romans 3:25)

Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary:

PROPITIATION, noun, propisia'shon.

1. The act of appeasing wrath and conciliating the favor of an offended person; the act of making propitious.
2. In theology, the atonement or atoning sacrifice offered to God to assuage His wrath and render Him propitious to sinners. Christ is the propitiation for the sins of men. Romans 3:1, John 2.

“Propitiation” means to gain or regain the favor of, to appease someone who has been wronged. This results in expiation: the making amends or atoning. The Greek word translated propitiation in Romans 3:25 is the same word translated “mercy seat” in the Greek Old Testament. When sprinkled with blood the mercy seat was where God would not extend due punishment for the sins of the people, hence, “mercy,” the withholding of merited judgment. Where there is no judgment held against one from another there is no problem between the two, and their relationship can develop. Our relationship with God develops as we submit to our relation to Him through propitiation by Jesus Christ.

MERCY SEAT:

1. The mercy seat was the place where God would speak with man.
2. Nobody could enter the presence of God over the Mercy Seat without shed blood to cover their sins.
3. This was God’s plan from the beginning.

Numbers 7:89: "And when Moses was gone into the tabernacle of the congregation to speak with him, then he heard the voice of one speaking unto him from off the mercy seat that was upon the ark of testimony, from between the two cherubims: and He spake unto him."

Exodus. 25:17-22: "17 And thou shalt make a mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof. 18 And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat. And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end: even of the mercy seat shall ye make the cherubims on the two ends thereof. 20 And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be. 21 And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee. 22 And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel."

Prior to Christ's completed work at Calvary only the High Priest could enter the presence of the mercy seat, and only once per year, but never without blood shed for sins:

Hebrews 9:3-11: "3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; 4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; 5 And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercy seat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. 6 Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. 7 But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: 8 The Holy Spirit this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: 9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; 10 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. 11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands..."

Prior to Christ's completed work at Calvary nobody was to come to the mercy seat apart from God’s way of approach, the first point being the shedding of blood for sins:

Leviticus 16:1-3: "1 And the LORD spake unto Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they offered before the LORD, and died; 2 And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the veil before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat. 3 Thus shall Aaron come into the holy place: with a young bullock for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering"

CHERUBIM:

In 1Kings 8:6-7 they protect. In Genesis 3:24 they keep the way of the tree of life – they guard. Who is “the life” today?

THE LIFE:

• John 14:6 "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
•  John 6:35 “I am the bread of life.” - Jesus
•  John 10:10b “I am come that they might have life…” - Jesus

In Exodus 25:17-22 what are the cherubim guarding? What does this mean in light of Jesus Christ being our mercy seat?

We have a New Covenant, with new words which God wants to commune with us about. Gaining insight into Jesus Christ being our propitiation is a catalyst to understanding the truths of the gospel.

Romans in light of Jesus Christ being our Mercy Seat:

1:1-6 Paul’s God-given mission: get the gospel to all nations. Why?...

1:16-17 The gospel is the power of God because in it the righteousness of God is revealed. God’s righteousness is extended to Mankind by the Mercy Seat.

1:18 The wrath of God IS revealed. It has been meted out on Jesus Christ. Now God’s mercy is extended to us through the Mercy Seat.

2:3 Do you suppose you shall escape the judgment of God? No sin escapes its just consequence (Hebrews 2:2). We didn’t “escape the judgment of God.” Instead, our judgment was transferred by substitution to our Mercy Seat.

3:9-10 Nobody comes into the realm of God on their own merits. Everyone falls short. But because of Jesus Christ’s shed blood for all faults anyone can come into God’s presence.

3:27 Where is boasting in our own efforts in light of the Mercy Seat? It is excluded.

4:6-8 David prophesied of how blessed are those who accept the realities of the Mercy Seat – all our errors are paid for by Christ.

5:1 Accepting the realities of the cross leaves us having peace with God THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.

5:3-5 Because of Christ’s payment for our sins we can boast in tribulation. When tribulation is upon us we boast in the power of the cross knowing that the realities there are greater than any tribulation. No tribulation can take away our life with God, eternal life, the realities of being a son of God, etc. So we boast in the cross.

5:10-11 It is by Jesus Christ as our Mercy Seat, his death, that we have been reconciled to God, and now can live as reconciled ones.

5:12-21 Here is the problem and the solution: Adam disobeyed God through which sin entered into the world and death through sin. This is the problem which results in all of the subsequent problems of Mankind and all of creation. God’s solution to this problem is the obedience of the one unto death (the Mercy Seat), Jesus Christ, unto our acquittal to life with God.

6:3-11 We are baptized into Christ’s death (the Mercy Seat – the payment for all sins). Now we are identified (unified) with his death (the payment for all sins), bringing us into being identified with his resurrection into newness of life. When he was raised from the dead was he still dealing with sin? NO! We aren’t to be dealing with sin either. We accept his payment for sin. As a result we walk in newness of life, reckoning ourselves dead unto sin, and so, alive unto God. Without accepting the realities of Jesus Christ as our Mercy Seat we CANNOT walk in the realities of newness of life in Christ.

6:19 “…so present your members as slaves to righteousness unto sanctification.” How did we become righteous? It was by the Mercy Seat. Our servitude to this reality produces continued sanctification.

6:22 “But now having been freed from sin…” How did we arrive here, freed from sin?

8:3-4 Isn’t verse 3 referring to Jesus Christ’s death – our Mercy Seat? The result is in verse 4. The righteous requirements of the Law (love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself – Matthew 22:36-40) are fulfilled in us as we walk by the spirit, including Jesus Christ’s death in our behalf.

8:32 How can we believe the second part of this verse if we don’t accept the first part?

12:1 “…by the mercies of God…” This has to include the mercy extended to us in the Mercy Seat.

14:1 This entire chapter comes alive in the realization of our Mercy Seat. A "must read".

15:1-3 The high price paid for Man’s reconciliation to God makes the value of Man incalculable. See if you can gain insight into these verses in light of this truth. In Galatians 3:1-3 it is Jesus Christ publicly portrayed as crucified (Mercy Seat) which builds into understanding verses 2-3 of Romans 15. Do we mature spiritually by any works that we might do, or by the living reality of Christ crucified? The powerful realities of Jesus Christ’s payment for all of our faults, lack, failures, inabilities and great abilities in our flesh hold learning and spiritual growth for us far beyond what we are currently realizing. Seek insight from our Father on the cross of Christ being the power of God unto our wholeness and deliverance.

"Jesus Christ our Mercy Seat" realized produces God’s intended effects in us, for example, it:

• Matures us into forgiveness of self and others because to hold a fault against one is to reckon Christ’s sacrifice insufficient.
• Leaves no room for judgment against others.
• Magnifies our oneness in the Body of Christ because every one of all of our sins was paid for by Christ.
• Wells up compassion towards others because all actions contrary to the love of God find their origin in Adam’s sin and their solution in Christ’s sacrifice.
• Develops inner peace and joy through knowing that God never holds anything against us and loves us just the way we are – flawless through Christ.
• Develops confidence and trust toward God who would love us to the degree of ransoming his son in our behalf.
• Causes a growing humility because by it we are reminded of our lack of worth to God before Christ’s payment for our sins, and of our value to him as a result.
• Frees us from concerns about what others think of us.
• Brings an awareness of our authority over evil forces arrayed against God’s purposes because they were defeated by the cross.
• Continues to increase our partnership with God our Father because by the cross he eliminated everything about us which hindered that partnership.