Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Today we begin our study of the 7th and final, of the initial 7, Beatitudes. Each of these first 7 specifies a character trait followed by a promised reward. The “peacemakers” will shout for joy. What are peacemakers, and why will they shout for joy?

The Greek word translated as “peacemakers” is eiraynopoios (phonetic spelling: ‘i-ray-nop-oy-os’). It means “peace lover,” and this is the only place in Scripture where it is used. I saw one descriptive note that amplifies the meaning. A peace-maker is a person who “bravely declares God’s terms which make someone whole.”

In the Delitzsch “Hebrew Gospels” the Hebrew words are Rod’fei Shalom, meaning “chasers of shalom.” This brings us to the fuller meaning of “Shalom.” It means, “complete, wholeness, perfect, and lacking nothing.” Therefore; “peace-makers” are those who pursue perfection. It brings to mind the instruction God gave to Abraham (I don’t like the TLV on this) …

Genesis 17:1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk [habitually] before Me [with integrity, knowing that you are always in My presence], and be blameless and complete [in obedience to Me]. AMP

Do you think this was a message for Abraham and not for the seed of Abraham?

1 Thessalonians 5:23 Now may the God of shalom Himself make you completely holy; and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept complete, blameless at the coming of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah.

Next time, we will examine the blessing that applies to those who chase shalom … and what a blessing it is!