From Background Notes
[BN] for September 29th & 30th written by Pastor Bob
Brown:
If you’ve been reading these Notes over
the past five years, you’ll know that shalom has to do with wholeness
and restoration at many levels of human existence. Debts paid, neighbors on
good terms, healthy, strong marriage, thriving children, and connected to God —
just a brief sample of the multi-dimensional nature of shalom.
The city where the temple was being built was Jerusalem, whose name can mean “city of shalom.” So Haggai’s message from God tells the people, “I will make Jerusalem live up to its name.” Perhaps God also intends to say that about Judah and the nations. Ancient empires created peace through war and the militarization of conquered nations. Such peace was often oppressive and had more to do with “order” than with wholeness. A later generation would live under Roman rule where pax Romana meant the regimentation of society through the imposition of order. Later Judaism would attempt similar forms of social control through strict interpretations of Torah and its application to most details of human life. Read here, “the Pharisees.” But God’s Word through Haggai sends a different message. Shalom is something that God “grants or gives,” not something He imposes. It is about human hearts restored by God and human beings in right relationship with each other. It is the condition where “perfect love casts out fear” (see 1 John 4:18). [BN, 11-12]
Join us this week in Study, Worship, Praise and Celebration at Chicago First Church of the Nazarene:
* Saturday 6:00pm
* Sunday 8:30am & 11:00am, 5:30pm
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