Jehovah-Shalom, Judges 6:24

Today we will meet Jehovah-Shalom, usually translated as God, our peace. He is much more. He is everything we need or ever will need.

In the story of Gideon, in Judges 6:24, God  introduces us to His name, Jehovah-Shalom. Gideon is being sent out by God to rescue His people who are being destroyed by the enemies. (See John 10:10)

After tearing down the idols of his family and his people he builds an alter to God from the wood of these idols. God accepts this offering by consuming it with fire.

Then Gideon asks God for a sign to confirm that he has found favor and that God will give him the victory. Gideon then throws out a woolen fleece, twice where God causes the dew to fall only where Gideon requests. This is where we get the saying “throwing out a fleece.”

Look at this offering. It is a burnt-offering which God accepts by consuming it with fire.

As we come before God in the name of Jesus, we offer the blood sacrifice of Jesus that God has accepted as our redemption.  We recognize He has become our sacrifice because He took our sins and burned them in Hell.

The Bible says in Hebrews 9:7 (AMP) we can not come to God without the blood. “But into the second [inner tabernacle, the Holy of Holies], only the high priest enters [and then only] once a year, and never without [bringing a sacrifice of] blood, which he offers [as a substitutionary atonement] for himself and for the sins of the people committed in ignorance.”

Remember, Jesus said on the cross, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34) Jesus' sacrifice was given for our committing sins out of ignorance.

Jesus is our burnt-offering, our sign of Salvation, accepted by God having been consumed with fire.

In verses 23-24 the Lord said to Gideon, “Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die.”

The word Shalom, as defined by the Old Testament Lexicon (# 7965) means health, security, tranquility, welfare, good condition, success, comfort, peace, salvation, whole, safe, happy, soundness and more. This is our God, Jehovah-Shalom.

The New Testament word for peace means the same, except it adds, “To set at one again.” 

Through the blood of Jesus we have been "set at one again" with Jehovah-Shalom. The meaning of atonement is; to be at one again.

Jehovah-Shalom is our salvation: Jesus in flesh and word.

As you partake of communion today, praise God for being Jehovah-Shalom, our salvation provided to us through the body and blood of Jesus. Amen!

Blessings on your day!

Karen