God's Gift of Peace

This passage of scripture found in Isaiah chapter nine is a prophesy of the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ. It is a familiar passage to most Christians.

"For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." 

Isaiah 9:6 NKJV

I was a bit confused when I read the same passage in The Message Bible and read the words Prince of Wholeness instead of Prince of Peace. I looked up the passage in a Hebrew lexicon and the definition of the word for peace, shalom, really does include completeness and wholeness. When Jesus is born the angels declare, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:24 NKJV). In the original language of the New Testament that word peace means, not only peace of mind, but once again it also means wholeness. Then in John 14:27 (AMPC) when Jesus declares, "Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]", the word peace is the same word used in Luke 2:24 meaning peace of mind as well as wholeness.

It seems the human condition includes a constant search for something or someone to complete us, to make us feel whole. We hope to find wholeness in a mate, in a fulfilling career, in having a family, in achieving our life goals. Yet, even if we attain what the world would describe as "having it all", we can still sense that there is something missing.  (Join me for the rest of this post on Sunday, December 8th at Woman to Woman Ministries, where each Sunday I share a bit of Sunday Soul Food!)

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Sunday Scripture Blessings

Susan B. Mead

Sue Moore Donaldson