In this usage the translators go for the meaning over the word shalom, and rarely translate this one as peace. So the casual English reader never realizes that it is the word shalom. It is also the kind of shalom that we are to pray for Jeru
salem. (Again all word that are shalom in the Hebrew are in red.)
He said to them, “Is it well with him?” They said, “It is well; and see, Rachel his daughter is coming with the sheep!” Gen. 29:6
But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably to him. Gen. 37:4
He replied, “Rest assured, do not be afraid; your God and the God of your father must have put treasure in your sacks for you; I received your money.” Then he brought Simeon out to them. Gen. 43:23
27 And he inquired about their welfare, and said, “Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?”28 They said, “Your servant our father is well, he is still alive.” And they bowed their heads and made obeisance. Gen. 43:27-28
But he said, “Far be it from me that I should do so! Only the man in whose hand the cup was found shall be my slave; but as for you, go up in peace to your father.” Gen. 44:17
Moses went back to Jethro his father-in-law and said to him, “Let me go back, I pray, to my kinsmen in Egypt and see whether they are still alive.” And Jethro said to Moses, “Go in peace. Ex. 4:18
Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, and did obeisance and kissed him; and they asked each other of their welfare, and went into the tent. Ex. 18:7
Of the Ammonites and Moabites God instructed them
This group is interesting because Ruth was a Moabite, and as such should have been under this curse. However salvation comes even to those who have been cursed, for Ruth attaches herself to Naomi and Naomi’s God. (See Also: Ruth)
You shall not seek their peace or their prosperity all your days for ever. Deut. 23:6
In the History books there is more seeking peace than obtaining it.
But the LORD said to him, “Peace be to you; do not fear, you shall not die.” Judg. 6:23
And they turned aside thither, and came to the house of the young Levite, at the home of Micah, and asked him of his welfare. Judg. 18:15
And the old man said, “Peace be to you; I will care for all your wants; only, do not spend the night in the square.” Judg. 19:20
Samuel did what the LORD commanded, and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling, and said, “Do you come peaceably?” 1 Sam. 16:4
. . . also take these ten cheeses to the commander of their thousand. See how your brothers fare, and bring some token from them.” 1 Sam. 17:18
If he says, ‘Good!’ it will be well with your servant; but if he is angry, then know that evil is determined by him. 1 Sam. 20:7
And behold, I will send the lad, saying, ‘Go, find the arrows.’ If I say to the lad, ‘Look, the arrows are on this side of you, take them,’ then you are to come, for, as the LORD lives, it is safe for you and there is no danger. 1Sam. 20:21
Then David received from her hand what she had brought him; and he said to her, “Go up in peace to your house; see, I have hearkened to your voice, and I have granted your petition.” 1 Sam. 25:35
When Uriah came to him, David asked how Joab was doing, and how the people fared, and how the war prospered. 2Sam. 11:7
Then Ahima-az cried out to the king, “All is well.” And he bowed before the king with his face to the earth, and said, “Blessed be the LORD your God, who has delivered up the men who raised their hand against my lord the king.” 2 Sam. 18:28
Then Adonijah the son of Haggith came to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon. And she said, “Do you come peaceably?” He said, “Peaceably.” 1 Kings 2:13
. . . run at once to meet her, and say to her, Is it well with you? Is it well with your husband? Is it well with the child?” And she answered, “It is well.” 2 Kings 4:26
17 Now the watchman was standing on the tower in Jezreel, and he spied the company of Jehu as he came, and said, “I see a company.” And Joram said, “Take a horseman, and send to meet them, and let him say, ‘Is it peace?” 18 So a man on horseback went to meet him, and said, “Thus says the king, ‘Is it peace?” And Jehu said, “What have you to do with peace? Turn round and ride behind me.” And the watchman reported, saying, “The messenger reached them, but he is not coming back.” 19 Then he sent out a second horseman, who came to them, and said, “Thus the king has said, ‘Is it peace?” And Jehu answered, “What have you to do with peace? Turn round and ride behind me.” 20 Again the watchman reported, “He reached them, but he is not coming back. And the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi; for he drives furiously.”
21 Joram said, “Make ready.” And they made ready his chariot. Then Joram king of Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah set out, each in his chariot, and went to meet Jehu, and met him at the property of Naboth the Jezreelite. 22 And when Joram saw Jehu, he said, “Is it peace, Jehu?” He answered, “What peace can there be, so long as the harlotries and the sorceries of your mother Jezebel are so many?” 2 Kings 9:17-22
Jehu met the kinsmen of Ahaziah king of Judah, and he said, “Who are you?” And they answered, “We are the kinsmen of Ahaziah, and we came down to visit the royal princes and the sons of the queen mother.” 2 Kings 10:13
Therefore give not your daughters to their sons, neither take their daughters for your sons, and never seek their peace or prosperity, that you may be strong, and eat the good of the land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children for ever.’ Ezra 9:12
In the poetry books there are many questions as to how this shalom works.
Questions we all still ask, Why to the wicked have shalom? Which is pared with, Why do the righteous suffer?
We also see that the peace of Jerusalem that we are to pray for, is not lack of conflict that so many English people seem to think. Rather it is that in spite of the conflict there will be prosperity. The real theological argument is not Jerusalem’s shalom but which Jerusalem, the earthly one or the heavenly one? [c.f. Gal. 4:26]
Terrifying sounds are in his ears; in prosperity the destroyer will come upon him. Job 15:21
But the meek shall possess the land, and delight themselves in abundant prosperity. Psa. 37:11
In his days may righteousness flourish, and peace abound, till the moon be no more! Psa. 72:7
For I was envious of the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. Psa. 73:3
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! “May they prosper who love you! Psa. 122:6
Peace be within your walls, and security within your towers!” Psa. 122:7
For my brethren and companions’ sake I will say, “Peace be within you!” Psa. 122:8
. . . for length of days and years of life and abundant welfare will they give you. Prov. 3:2
The Prophets explain why there is no shalom
“There is no peace,” says the LORD, “for the wicked.” Is. 48:22
There is no peace, says my God, for the wicked.” Is. 57:21
They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace. Jer. 6:14
Then the princes said to the king, “Let this man be put to death, for he is weakening the hands of the soldiers who are left in this city, and the hands of all the people, by speaking such words to them. For this man is not seeking the welfare of this people, but their harm.” Jer. 38:4
No matter what the world, the flesh, or the devil may bring our way, we are to seek shalom, as the prosperity of the soul.
It Is Well with My Soul
by Horatio Spafford
1. When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
◦Refrain:
It is well with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
2. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
3. My sin—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!—
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
4. For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
5. But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!
6. And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
The Story behind the Spafford’s Hymn
The Song of Songs 