Elohim’s Plan for Peace
Peace is something Elohim (God) always intended for His people. In Leviticus, YHVH (Yehovah; Yahweh) laid out 5 offerings. The first two – sin and guilt offerings – were compulsory offerings for sin, spiritual/ritual uncleanness, and guilt. They provided atonement and forgiveness of sins and trespasses. The remaining three – the grain offering, whole burnt offering, and peace offering were voluntary; they were for worship.
The offerings had portions for YHVH and a portion for the priest, but only the peace offering had portions for Elohim, the priest, and the offeror and his family who ate it. This offering represented the peace YHVH intends for us to have with Him and others. These five offerings pointed to the work that Yeshua (Jesus) would do through His death and resurrection (Isaiah 53:5-6,10-12; 1 John 2:2; Romans 5:1; Colossians 1:20; 1 Corinthians 15:23). All these offerings were required of YHVH’s people until Yeshua came and fulfilled the significance of those offerings.
Colossians 1:19-20 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
The thanksgiving offering, known as a todah, was a kind of peace offering. Therefore, when we offer thanks to YHVH today, we are offering a kind of peace offering to Him. When we suffer and go through various trials, we are a grain offering. When we offer ourselves as living sacrifices holy and acceptable to Elohim, we are whole burnt offerings. When we confess our sins and guilt, we are offering him sin and guilt offerings.
YHVH gave the Ten Commandments as a framework for people to be in a peaceful relationship with Elohim and their fellow man.
During the time when the mixed multitude lived in the wilderness, the tribes of Israel were camped around the tabernacle. Everything outside this camp represented the rest of the world, which were essentially YHVH’s enemies. They did not have peace with Elohim, but Elohim wanted and expected His people to learn how to live in peace with Him and the rest of His people. This peace will be realized in its fulness in Revelation 22:14-15 where the righteous can enter the New Jerusalem while the wicked are “outside” the city.
Psalms 37:11 But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace. (See also Matthew 5:5)
Just as it was in the past, it is virtually impossible to have true peace outside a relationship with Elohim. The reason is because sins and trespasses block man’s ability to have lasting peace. In addition, man is always striving after things that cannot bring peace. Only Elohim can fill the void in the spirit of man.
Think about it. When we misuse YHVH’s name, give other things and people first place in our lives (idolatry), or don’t rest on the Sabbath, we can’t have a peaceful relationship with Elohim. When we dishonor our parents, we can’t experience peace with them. When we covet, steal, commit sexual immorality, tell lies about others, and murder people, we can’t expect to live in peace with others. These things negatively affect the people around us, and they will find it challenging to forgive us.
Peace is a Blessing for Obedience
Deuteronomy 28 and Leviticus 26 contain the blessings and curses of the law. The blessings were for keeping the terms of the marriage covenant YHVH made with His people on Mt. Sinai. The curses were designed to get the attention of YHVH’s people and let them know they were living outside the terms of their original marriage covenant; they were a warning that it was time to repent – return to the terms of the covenant. One of the blessings of keeping YHVH’s covenant was peace. Everyone must decide if they are going to live in covenant with Elohim or not. If we want peace, the choice involves covenant living.
Deuteronomy 30:19-20 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, 20 loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.
Leviticus 26:6 I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid. And I will remove harmful beasts from the land, and the sword shall not go through your land.
Love and Obedience are Keys to Peace
Psalms 119:165 Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.
Isaiah 48:18 Oh that you had paid attention to my commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea…
1 John 5:2-3 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.
Righteousness and Trust Results in Peace
Proverbs 16:7 When a man’s ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Isaiah 32:17 And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.
Isaiah 48:22 “There is no peace,” says the Lord, “for the wicked.”
Isaiah 26:3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
Peace Can Rest in You Despite Crises, Trials, and Afflictions
We cannot escape crises, trials, and afflictions in our lives, but the peace of the Lord can carry us through them if we abide in Him. He can use these things to strengthen us, as well as train and equip us, so we can minister to others.
John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Exchange Anxiety for Peace
Instead of struggling with anxiety, we can take our thoughts captive and hand them over to the Lord. Do not forget that as we pray and offer thanks to YHVH, we are offering a peace offering to the Lord.
1 Peter 5:7 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
Philippians 4:4-7 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Strive for Peace
Sometimes, peace does not come easily; sometimes, we must strive for it.
2 Corinthians 13:11-12 Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
2 Timothy 2:22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
Hebrews 12:14-16 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;
Allow Peace to Rule
As we set our minds on the Spirit instead of our fears and anxieties, we can experience peace. Then, we need to allow peace to rule over us.
Romans 8:6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
The Aaronic Blessing
YHVH wanted His peace to be upon His people. One of the ways that was accomplished was through the Aaronic blessing. As you read it, may this blessing be upon you.
Numbers 6:24-26: The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
Highway to Holiness 