NAME 08 of 16: YEHAVAH-SHALOWM

The post The Names of God lays the foundation for 01 through 16. Please read it first, thanks.

The deeper I go into the study of the names of God the more I see that names are very significant. In the book of Judges, chapter 6, the children of Israel did evil in God’s sight and Yehovah delivered them into the hand of Midian (the Midianites) for 7 years (v.1). Scripture tells us that the Midianites prevailed over Israel and as a result the Israelites lived in dens and caves and strongholds in the mountains (v.2).

Midian was the son of Abraham and Keturah (Genesis 25:2-4). The name Midian (Hebrew MIDYAN) means ‘strife’ and these were his descendants. The scripture says that when the Israelites planted, the Midianites and the Amalekites and the children of the East, came up against them and destroyed everything leaving nothing for Israel (v.3-5). As a result Israel was greatly impoverished and because of ‘strife’ they cried out to Yehovah (v.6).

The scripture says Israel cried out to God. The entire nation cried out to God (v.7). When Israel cried out to God the Lord sent an unnamed prophet to give them a message (v.9-10).

Now Gideon the son of Joash was threshing wheat by the winepress to hide it from the Midianites when an angel of Yehovah appeared unto him declaring that Yehovah was with him (v.12). Yehovah did not reveal Himself until after Gideon had made the declaration of his foreparents (v.13). The scripture says: “And the LORD looked upon him…” (v.14) and again: “And the LORD said unto him…” (v.16).

Yehovah told Gideon that He was sending him (Gideon) in his (Gideon’s) might and that he (Gideon) would save Israel from strife. Yehovah even told Gideon that He (Yehovah) would be with him for sure and that he (Gideon) would smite strife as one man. Yehovah talked to Gideon but Gideon was still in disbelief and asked for a sign that it was Yehovah himself who was talking to him (v.17).

It seems that the angel appeared to Gideon and announced Yehovah who spoke to audibly to Gideon. Gideon thought that he was going to die because he had seen an angel of God face to face (v.22). Gideon called out to YEHOVIH-ADONAY in fear (v.22) but Yehovah assured him that he would not die (v.23).

“Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it Jehovahshalom: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.” (v.24)

The Hebrew Yĕhavah Shalowm is translated as Jehovahshalom meaning Yehovah is peace but this is not all. Shalowm, pronounced shä lōm' refers to completeness in number, safety and soundness in body as well as welfare, health and prosperity. It also refers to peace with man and peace in a covenant relationship with God, as well as quiet tranquility and contentment. This was Yehovah’s reward to Israel through Gideon because of the strife (Midianites) that had afflicted them.

As I am writing this final paragraph, I am only now realizing that this message applies directly to me. This is such a comfort to know that in the midst of all the strife going on right now, my family and I have all of these things above.

Hallelujah Yĕhavah Shalowm!