Life is better with peace, whether that’s a sense of inner steadiness or a chaos-free environment. Because Israel was under constant threat from Midianite raids, Gideon sought some temporary peace by threshing his wheat in secret within the cool walls of a winepress. But God called him to experience a peace that was both more daunting and deeper—one that prefigured the kind we find in Jesus.
Illustration by Jeff Gregory
BACKGROUND
Judges ruled in Israel for several hundred years before the kingship of Saul. During this time, the Israelites went through repeated periods of turning away from God, suffering, and returning to Him.
READ
Judges 6:1-27
REFLECT
The Lord’s desire for us—and for all people—is shalom, or perfect wholeness.
Scripture is the story of peace that was broken by sin—and how it’s currently being restored. Though that process won’t reach perfection until Christ’s kingdom is fulfilled, we can experience peace now to varying degrees. Shalom, the Hebrew word used in the Old Testament, indicated not just quiet or absence of war, but completeness, safety, well-being, healthy relationships, and intimacy with God. Which of these things have been lost in Judges 6:1-10?
When shalom is absent or badly compromised, we may descend into fear, frustration, anger, blame, or hopelessness. In verses 11-15, which of these does Gideon exhibit?
God tells Gideon, “Go in this your strength” (v.14). What does “this” refer to? How is He actually positioning Gideon, with these words, to rely on divine strength and not his own?
The wholeness of shalom requires resolution of troubling situations. This can include actively disrupting unrighteousness rather than accepting or ignoring it. With this in mind, consider why God calls Gideon “warrior” (v. 12) yet says “peace to you” (v. 23). Why can Gideon proclaim, “The Lord is Peace” before tearing down his father’s idols (vv. 24, 27)?
CONTINUING THE STORY
Jesus—God’s answer to broken shalom—is the fulfillment of our longing for wholeness.
For all consequences of lost communion with God in Eden—pain, death, damaged emotions, toxic relationships, lack of wisdom—the coming of Christ brought hope of restoration. When we receive Him as Savior, we enter His shalom, and through forgiveness of sin, we receive peace with God. Then, as much as possible on an earth that remains troubled, we begin to grow in it. Read Ephesians 2:14. How does “He Himself is our peace” encourage you to stay close to the Lord in a broken world?
In the New Testament, the Greek word used for “peace” is eiréné, which Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance tells us is probably from eiro, “to join.” How does “joining” convey the completeness of shalom? Read John 14:27. Describe how Jesus’ peace has brought about not only internal rest for you but also a sense of being joined together with God and with others.
Read Matthew 5:9. Recall that true biblical peace can sometimes involve disruption—of damaging situations, falsehood, or injustice. What is the significance of Jesus saying we are to be “peacemakers” rather than “peacekeepers”?
REFLECT
Growing in Jesus’ peace enables us to live in truth and wisdom.
Gideon’s recognition of God as peace was not a stopping or resting place but, rather, the starting point for righteous action. Today, we’re invited to choose Jesus’ peace over the world’s brokenness, whether that means taking a quiet rest or, like Gideon, a bold stance.
