Scripture Sunday

Tonight I would like to share with you one of my very favorite verses.  It's a blessing, actually, that the priests were given to give to the people.  The important words here are "LORD" which is the translation of "YHWH" (what we know as Yahweh), the name God gives Himself in Exodus 3:13-15 -- meaning "I AM."  Anytime you see LORD capitalized in the Bible, it refers to YHWH. This was the name of God that was the most holy -- so holy, the Jews would not pronounce it aloud.  

The other portion of this blessing I'd like to point out is the very last word -- peace.  This is the Hebrew word "SHALOM" which, translated, means much more than our English version of "peace." Hebrew words go beyond their spoken pronunciation. Each Hebrew word conveys feeling, intent and emotion. Shalom is more then just simply peace; it is a complete peace. It is a feeling of contentment, completeness, wholeness, well being and harmony. According to Strong's Concordance 7965 Shalom means completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, the absence of agitation or discord.

How wonderful is this God, YHWH, the God who created all and put everything in its place, the great I AM, wants for us not just "peace," but quite literally "perfect peace."  HIS peace.  I'm needing that tonight, as I'm a little sad and lost.  And so I share His blessing with you, hoping that you are blessed as well.  

Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV)

24 “‘“The LORD bless you

and keep you;

25 the LORD make his face shine on you

and be gracious to you;

26 the LORD turn his face toward you

and give you peace.”’

Until next time,