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"I Will Extend Peace to Her Like a River"
"For thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees." (Isaiah 66:12)
In this week's study, we are focusing on "peace" the third of the nine qualities of the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Just like love and joy; peace is a supernatural by-product of being filled with God's Holy Spirit. It can only come from God as His gift and to those who obey Him. The unbelievers of the world do not know this kind of peace and they do not have it. Only they who genuinely believe Christ's message, have sincerely repented, committed to sin no more, and have received God's Spirit, can experience what it truly means to have spiritual peace.
What is the Biblical Definition of Peace?
The Greek word for peace is eirene (Strong's # 1515) and means: to be (act) peaceful, be at (have, live in) peace, live peaceably, one, peace, quietness, rest. Probably from a primary verb eiro (to join); peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity, one, peace, quietness, rest, + set at one again.
A couple of months ago we did an in-depth Bible Study on the definition of peace and being a peacemaker, and showed how the Bible teaches that true peace is the keeping of all of God's commandments. That is what brings true and lasting peace. And if we are keeping God's commandments, first toward God, then toward our neighbors, we will have peace and will promote peace in our families, communities, at our jobs, and amongst our brothers and sisters in the Ekklesia. And it is the keeping and doing of God's commandments; that brings the highest good and well-being to self and to others and causes peaceful conditions. If the whole world were keeping all of God's commandments, we know that the whole world would be living in peace.
As a reminder, here is the definition in the Hebrew language for the essence of what peace means in the Bible and what it is referring to when it talks of peace. There are quite a few Hebrew words for peace and they give a somewhat clearer insight as to what this fruit of the Spirit is about: shalvah (Strong's #7962) security, ease; shalom (Strong's #7965) safe, health, peace; shalam (Strong's #7999) to be safe, be, make complete, completeness, soundness, welfare, peace; shlam (Strong's #8001) prosperity; shelem (Strong's#8002) thank offering.
The definition of this word in William Barclay's Daily Study Bible Series, becomes even more clear as to what peace means. Barclay gives the following definition of the word shalom, the word most commonly used in Scripture in reference to peace.
"In Hebrew peace is never only a negative state; it never means only the absence of trouble; in Hebrew peace always means everything which makes for a man's highest good. In the east when one man says to another, Salaam-which is the same word-he does not mean that he wishes for the other man only the absence of evil things; he wishes for him the presence of all good things. In the Bible, peace
means not only freedom from all trouble; it means enjoyment of all good." (vol. 1, p. 108)
To Teach the Peace of God, We Must First Have Peace
From this description of what peace means in the Bible, we can see that those who have the fruit of God's spiritual peace are those who first, obey all of God's Word, and then work for peace, working for the highest good for others and for mankind. It is they who have peace; first with God, who then can be used as His instruments in bringing about that which is good by how they live themselves. They are in training to help Christ at the time of His return to bring about the most beneficial provision for excellent and nurturing living conditions to others; which would include good health, safety, prosperity, wholesomeness, purity, clean and safe environments, good sound relationships, right education, enjoyment of all good things (physical and spiritual).
At this point, living in this present evil world the most important way we can do this, is to teach them about God and about all His ways that would bring about these conditions; if they would only listen, repent, and start obeying God themselves.
And just as the other fruits we have been studying, peace begins in the very heart of a person, in the mind. It is a quality that is a replica of what our heavenly Father and His Son Jesus have, that knows no bounds. They are abundant in peace and have lived the way that promotes peace from all eternity and it will never cease in future eternity. And they want to extend this kind of peace, starting with their own family and eventually to all the nations of the earth.
When we become converted and come to know the truth, it will free us from all kinds of anxieties, fears, doubts, false beliefs and traditions of men and this will give us peace of mind. As we grow in grace and knowledge, we should be growing in peace of mind as well.
John 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
As Christians, we still struggle sometimes with anxiety and depression, but we know that we can run to our heavenly Father and ask Him to give us the gift of His Holy Spirit, which will include peace, to help us to overcome our proclivities to become anxious and depressed when we are overwhelmed with the problems of life.
Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
1st Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
God's Spirit is not a spirit of confusion but is a spirit of a sound mind and of power and when we are filled with this kind of spirit, we too will have peace of mind.
2nd Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Our God, who is a God of peace Himself and is the source of peace, will give us this peace. It is a gift from Him and we need to ask for it daily.
2nd Thessalonians 3:16 Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.
If we are filled with love for God's commandments, then we will have great peace and nothing can offend us [or nothing causes us to stumble].
Psalm 119:165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.
Jesus Christ gave Himself in order for man to have peace with God, to be reconciled with the Father, and it is that peace that we must seek first and foremost. As a result of having faith, repenting of all our sins, committing to sin no more, receiving His Holy Spirit, we become reconciled with the Father and that makes us at peace with Him.
Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
When we seek to be forgiven for all our past sins and embark on the journey to becoming spiritually mature and made more and more into the image of God, we in effect, become a new person and are reconciled to our Father by Jesus' atoning sacrifice. He then can give us the ministry of reconciliation and we become ambassadors for Christ by being examples of peace ourselves, helping others to learn how they too can become reconciled to God and to have peace with Him.
The study we did on becoming peacemakers talked much about how to be agents of peace and what it is to have peace in our lives and how to exemplify it to those around us. If you would like to review that study, you can go to the March 8th Glorious Living! Newsletter.
Peace is Coming to this Earth
Real and lasting peace is coming to this earth soon just after Christ returns, and God's peace will fill the earth when He begins to set up His Kingdom. As those who are in training now and who have been given this spiritual fruit of peace, we will need to exemplify it to others and teach it to them in His kingdom, as we assist Christ in bringing this kind of peace to the whole earth in the near future
In Psalm 23, David describes a kind of peace that is still, quiet, and restful which we can experience now if we are God's children and have His Holy Spirit. It is also reflective of what kind of peace that will fill the earth in the millennial setting. This kind of peace is very much lacking in our world, and to finally be able to experience this peace will be very refreshing after having lived in a strife-filled, hectic world all of our lives.
Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
Still resting place in Hebrew is menuchah (Strong's #4496) and means: comfortable, ease, quiet, resting place, still,o r mnuchah {men-oo-khaw'}; feminine of Manowach; repose or (adverbially) peacefully; figuratively, consolation (specifically, matrimony); hence (concretely) an abode -- comfortable, ease, quiet, rest(-ing place), still.
This pictures a very serene, peaceful scene of still quiet waters and being at rest and this is definitely a very good kind of peace. This is the kind of peace we need to have as we face perils, and even when facing the valley of the shadow of death.
But in Isaiah 66:12 God speaks of peace being like a river also.
The rivers that I am familiar with are anything but still and quiet. The rivers that are in our area have waters that are are swiftly flowing, full of currents, in some places turbulent, splashing up over rocks and downed tree branches, rushing forward until they flow into the Great Lakes. How can peace be like a river and why would God extend this kind of peace to Jerusalem in the future Kingdom of God?
Isaiah 66:10 Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her: 11 That ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.
12 For thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees. 13 As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem. 14 And when ye see this, your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb: and the hand of the Lord shall be known toward his servants, and his indignation toward his enemies.
This is talking about Jerusalem, God's chosen city and headquarters of the Millennial Kingdom. This describes the time after Christ returns when He begins to set up His kingdom and the captives are brought back; comparing them to children being born and Jerusalem being like a mother. These Scriptures talk about how the people will enjoy a long and uninterrupted time of prosperity. They shall enjoy a long continuous course of joy, peace and wholeness "I will extend, or am extending, peace to her," all good blessings, like a river that runs in a constant stream, rushing ahead, gaining in momentum and increasing till it is engulfed in a huge body of water like a lake or an ocean.
 The truth of God's Word and the gospel message brings with it peace such as this, wherever it is received and takes root.
The peace of God that flows like a river, supplying mankind with all good and bounty; making them fruitful, as a river does to the lands it passes through, nourishing everything it touches, making plants and trees green and flourishing.
The peace that God extends will bring His truth and His righteousness, will be healing and comforting and it will refresh and make blossom the whole earth. It is so powerful, nothing will be able to stop it nor drive it back. The peace like a river will come to a broad opening, a place of abundant and endless waters which pictures the fountain of life and will bring true love, joy and a peace-filled world; a blissful environment for all the inhabitants, including the Gentiles.
Psalm 18:19 He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me.
Isaiah 49:22 Thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people: and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders. 23 And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.
God will extend this kind of peace not only to the Israelites, but also to the Gentiles that are living at that time. They will come pouring over to God, and they too will come to believe in Him, will repent and want to live in accordance with all His ways and in righteousness. Their wealth, honor, power and interest shall all be devoted to the service of God and will work toward the prosperity of the nation, or kingdom of God.
Isaiah 66:13 As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
This kind of peace will bring comfort to the nations, especially, after coming out of the great tribulation, being humbled, and experiencing the horrible conditions of that time that were the very opposite of peace.
The verses illustrate an allegory of a mother who tenderly nurses her child, carrying him on her sides under her arms, as little children are placed on a mother's hips as she carries him from place to place, and then sitting, holding and rocking a child, dangled upon her knees. She treats her children as her darlings and affectionately shows them her love and concern, especially when they are tired or hurting.
The Great Shepherd tenderly cares for His sheep, He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them in his bosom and will gently lead those that have their little ones.
Isaiah 40:9 O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! 10 Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. 11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.
Jeremiah 31:20 Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a pleasant child? for since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the Lord.
Isaiah 66:14 And when ye see this, your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb: and the hand of the Lord shall be known toward his servants, and his indignation toward his enemies.
The conditions in the millennial kingdom will bring and cause great rejoicing and will prosper its citizens with healing like healing herbs. God's glory will be made known to all those who come to know Him and zealously serve Him. Those who refuse to obey and who want to oppose Him, those who want to take away the peace, will be objects of His anger.
But for those who fear and obey Him, they will partake of all that God has to offer to His people. His glory will fill the earth and all will live in peace.
Isaiah 11:9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.
Psalm 72:3 The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness.
Psalm 72:7 In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth.
And All Thy Children Shall be Taught of the LORD
All our children and the people placed under our care will finally be taught the whole Word of God and about how to live it. Then the mandate to go therefore and teach all nations, teaching them to observe all the things that God had taught us will be a worldwide reality with no one holding us back from teaching all peoples of all nations the holy things of God.
Isaiah 53:13 And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.
Isaiah 48:15 I, even I, have spoken; yea, I have called him: I have brought him, and he shall make his way prosperous.
16 Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord God, and his Spirit, hath sent me.
17 Thus saith the Lord, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.
18 O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea:
19 Thy seed also had been as the sand, and the offspring of thy bowels like the gravel thereof; his name should not have been cut off nor destroyed from before me.
20 Go ye forth of Babylon, flee ye from the Chaldeans, with a voice of singing declare ye, tell this, utter it even to the end of the earth; say ye, The Lord hath redeemed his servant Jacob.
21 And they thirsted not when he led them through the deserts: he caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them: he clave the rock also, and the waters gushed out.
22 There is no peace, saith the Lord, unto the wicked.
Here God says that if only Israel had obeyed His commandments and had kept His ways, their peace would have been like a river and their righteousness as the waves of the sea. He says that it is He and He alone that can teach us to profit by leading us in the way we should go and by teaching us to learn and to keep all of His commandments.
Then He tells them to come out from Babylon and repent so that God will prosper them again and provide the waters of living water to them. Then He makes a very stern statement for those who refuse to repent: "there is no peace unto the wicked." But there will be an abundance of peace for those who return to Him and seek Him with all their hearts and want to live the way that makes for peace!
A Vivid Description Of What it Will be Like in the Millennial Kingdom
I know the following is a long quote, but if we take time out to just meditate and think about the kind of world that is coming that Isaiah describes in this whole chapter, it helps us to envision it even more. Studying this and meditating on these things can give us a lot of hope and peace of mind; if we really believe this is going to happen. And it will happen, probably soon, maybe in just a few more years.
And this chapter too, carries the same theme about how God is going rescue the captives out of their captivity and bring them to "The city of the Lord, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel." How He will care for His people, prosper them, and how the Gentiles will come to be part of God's Covenant and all will be taught of the Lord. These themes are woven throughout many sections of the Bible that foretell of the millennial kingdom. What this teaches us about God's plan for the future and how His is going to rescue His people can fill us with joy and peace.
Isaiah 60:1 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.
2 For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.
3 And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.
4 Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side.
5 Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee.
6 The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth the praises of the Lord.
7 All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee: they shall come up with acceptance on mine altar, and I will glorify the house of my glory.
8 Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows?
9 Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the Lord thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee.
10 And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee: for in my wrath I smote thee, but in my favour have I had mercy on thee.
11 Therefore thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles, and that their kings may be brought.
12 For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted.
13 The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious.
14 The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee; The city of the Lord, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.
15 Whereas thou has been forsaken and hated, so that no man went through thee, I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations.
16 Thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles, and shalt suck the breast of kings: and thou shalt know that I the Lord am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.
17 For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron: I will also make thy officers peace, and thine exactors righteousness.
18 Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise.
19 The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.
20 Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended.
21 Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.
22 A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the Lord will hasten it in his time.
As children of God, those who have been called out in this age, and have been taught for so many years about the ways of peace, and if we have been overcomers in this area, we will have our work cut out for us in assisting Christ in His kingdom. We will have much work ahead of us in implementing this kind of peace-filled world after the devastating effects of the wars and great tribulation that will have ravished the earth and its people.
The surviving remnant will come back from captivity, scarred with the horrors of war and cruel bondage, and from being under the control of tyrants and despots. They will need time to be healed and will need to be treated with much kindness and tenderness. And then taught the ways of God, to supplant the sinful ways they lived before that resulted in being thrust into tribulation and correction.
Isaiah 14:1 For the LORD will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob.
The Prince of Peace, Our Model for Peace
The Lord, the Mighty God of Israel, is called the Prince of Peace, He is our Forerunner, our example; the one who will usher in the kingdom of peace that will last throughout all time.
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
His names describe the kind of Prince He will be. The titles of the prophesied coming Prince are; and will continue to be for all eternity are:
1. Wonderful, Counselor; a wonderful divine Counselor, a teacher of all righteousness, an instructor of how to keep all of God's laws and how to live His ways that leads to peace.
2. Mighty God; indicating that the Lord is an all powerful warrior and is sovereign over all and He will put down all the enemies of His peace.
3. Everlasting Father; has the connotation of one who provides for and protects His people, the children of God and will do so forever.
4. Prince of Peace; as He has qualified by being the greatest person of peace Himself, and has been appointed by the Father to reign as King of kings for all eternity.
As Prince of Peace, Christ will ultimately usher in peace once and for all, and with the government of God that will be on His shoulder, He will establish the kind of peace that will be the utmost of righteous judgment and justice. God says through the prophet Isaiah, that it will last through all eternity and it WILL happen because of the Lord's ZEAL and PURPOSE for it to happen.
Jesus Christ is our pattern of what we must emulate to be rulers of peace by overcoming the things that take peace away in order to qualify to help Him to bring about peace for the whole world. God's kind of peace will bring about a beautiful, complete and righteous world with a just and righteous government that will rule with the intent to provide for the well being for all of mankind living under that government of peace.
Today's World so Desperately Needs Peace
Today's world does not know the way of peace and it is quickly hurdling toward total obliteration if left to go on much longer and if not for God's intervention. It is filled with violence, wars, crime, broken homes, abused children, babies offered on the alter of abortion, hatred, insanity, disease, suffering, despots that rule with cruelty and an iron fist. Our right to liberties and freedom to follow and obey God are being taken away; the definition of what constitutes godly marriage and family life are perverted; all human decency is mocked and denigrated. There is no respect for anyone anymore.
But the good news is that the King of kings, the Almighty God who is called Faithful and True is coming back to earth in righteousness and with judgment. He is going to wage war against all evil and will put down all those take peace from the earth. And then He will usher in His world of love, joy, peace and righteousness; and together with His Bride will begin the clean-up operation.
If we are being called and have answered that call to be peace makers and become like He is, in His image, we can be on His team in bringing peace, the fruit of God's Holy Spirit, to all mankind.
Revelation 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
What a marvelous and wonderful picture of what God's peaceful world in the future will be like! We pray that it comes soon.
Constance
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