Shalom: The Theme of Peace in Jeremiah

The Theme of Peace in Jeremiah

There is a continual discourse or discussion about the topic of peace and what it consists of through out the book of Jeremiah. Jeremiah has set out from the beginning to fulfill God’s call on his life to build up as well as tear down. The Hebraic understanding of peace is not simply defined by the absence of war; it is much more than that. The Hebrew word Shalom means wholeness, a harmony of relationships and environment, a context that results in joy and praise. (33:9) Shalom also has a referential action or response to those who require service to acquire harmony. The word has an egalitarian type of feeling that connotes the state where all people’s needs are met and they can live in a healthy balance among one another. Shalom seeks righteousness and justice in all contexts, and especially for the alien, orphan, widow and those who are violently taken advantage of. (7:7, 33:9) The two most beautiful pictures of what God means by peace or shalom, can be found at the beginning and ending of the Bible. In the beginning we find God and his creation existing with one another in perfect harmony as they walk in the cool afternoon through the garden. As the Bible closes we also find this peaceful portrayal or painting of life existing in perfection as the tree of life provides for the sustenance and healing of the people.

Jeremiah continually addresses the issue of what a true prophet/priest of YHWH looks like and what a false prophet/priest looks like. This occurs in a general understanding through out the book as well as Jeremiah’s individual encounters with false prophets/priests. The overarching problem with the prophet and priest of Jeremiah’s day is that they are proclaiming a false peace and thus a false hope for the future. The leaders or shepherds of the people are proclaiming that there is a harmony among the people in an economical, political and relational sense. Jeremiah on the other hand points to the fact that these leaders are acting unjustly and without righteousness.

Healing, Hearts and Sword’s

The priests of the day do not treat the wounds and sickness of the people in the correct manner, in fact we find their actions are compared to a physician who treats a broken bone by applying bandage. It is a superficial fix! (6:14, 8:11) The imagery and metaphor her drips of irony and sarcasm as no physician would ever thing of such a response to a broken bone. In the same way the prophets promise the people a nationalistic peace (possibly simply to appease the king and remain in good standing) and do not correctly discern the word from God. The prophets have become so disillusioned with what YHWH’s peace truly means that they have started to proclaim visions of their own hearts instead of God’s heart. (9:8, 14:13, 23:17) These shepherds of God’s flock have been practicing deceit and have robbed the people both financially as well as spiritually as they have failed to teach covenant faithfulness.

Jeremiah proclaims that a true prophet of YHWH will be known for who they truly are only in time as their prophetic word from God either comes true or fails to be played out. (28:9) As a result of this incorrect teaching and proclamation by the prophet’s and priest’s the people await a time of peace, a time of restoration and harmony. But this type of peace will not come because it is not the peace of YHWH but the peace of the sword, a peace found only in the violence of the wars and the incorrect use of power. (8:15, 14:19) As a result of the people’s idolatry and their straying from the covenant faithfulness YHWH has removed His steadfast love and compassion from the people. (16:5)

Turn and Return

The people have not relied on the steadfast love and mercy of God. Instead they have turned their position from embrace to rejection of the covenant that was made with their forefathers. There is only one result that can occur now and that is the human struggle for peace by way of the sword as human kings and kingdoms fight for power. Peace by way of the sword will always end in death and will never truly be the type of peace that God offers. (4:10, 12:12) As the modern day prophet/singer/songwriter Derek Webb coined it “peace by way of war is like purity by way of fornication, it’s like telling someone murder is wrong and then showing them by way of execution. When justice is bought and sold just like weapons of war the ones who always pay are the poorest of the poor.”