Peacemakers

[visionary]

Often believers are in conflict as to what does it mean to be "peacemakers" and that Yeshua is some kind of pacifist always.

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

But is that the right understanding. We know Yeshua had a fit when in the temple, throwing people and animals out, while over turning tables. That is not the image of a "peacemaker". There was no compromising "for the sake of peace". The basic words in Hebrew for this passage would mean Happy are those who pursue peace.

[Blessed] Asherei in Hebrew has the connotation here of happy, but its root meaning is to exalt but with the connotation of a verification of a legal ruling. In other words, even "happy" is a state found in obedience to Torah.

[Pursue] Radaf means one who chases after something, but here with the connotation of one who chases after another in order to save him or prevent him from sinning.

[Shalom] literally means peace, but here it is more properly means salvation or a state of being of wholeness in both spiritually and physically.

So Matt 5:9 could be really be telling us that "Happy is the state for those who pursue salvation in order to prevent a state of sin for they will be called Sons of God." So no I do not equate peacemakers with pacifism.

 

[Hidden In Him]

Often believers are in conflict as to what does it mean to be "peacemakers" and that Yeshua is some kind of pacifist always.

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

But is that the right understanding. We know Yeshua had a fit when in the temple, throwing people and animals out, while over turning tables. That is not the image of a "peacemaker". There was no compromising "for the sake of peace". The basic words in Hebrew for this passage would mean Happy are those who pursue peace.

[Blessed] Asherei in Hebrew has the connotation here of happy, but its root meaning is to exalt but with the connotation of a verification of a legal ruling. In other words, even "happy" is a state found in obedience to Torah.

[Pursue] Radaf means one who chases after something, but here with the connotation of one who chases after another in order to save him or prevent him from sinning.

[Shalom] literally means peace, but here it is more properly means salvation or a state of being of wholeness in both spiritually and physically.

So Matt 5:9 could be really be telling us that "Happy is the state for those who pursue salvation in order to prevent a state of sin for they will be called Sons of God." So no I do not equate peacemakers with pacifism.

Well, it's definitely interesting food for thought. I've always interpreted that passage as a personal command that "as much as is in you, be at peace with all men" (Romans 12:18). This verse qualifies the command with "as much as is in you," suggesting that there may be situations we encounter which are simply intolerable (rape of a wife for instance), or which the Spirit of God within us may find intolerable (such as with Jesus in the temple).

But I would have to qualify here that I do think the dominant teaching of the New Testament is to overcome evil with good.

 

[EpicScore]

There's also the fact that Jesus Himself says that "[He] did not come to bring peace, but a sword." (Matthew 10:34) despite His title,"Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).

However, the context of the Beatitudes taught by Jesus in His sermon on the mount fundamentally relates to a state of "blessedness", which in Biblical terms does not refer to a happy state of mind but being in God's favour, i.e. at peace with God. Indeed, the purpose of Jesus's incarnation, death and subsequent resurrection is to save sinful man from the wrath of God and be in a fellowship with Him.

As James 4:4 says, "You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God."

I suppose the term "peacemaker" in Matthew 5:9 refers to those who have received God's grace and pronounced their faith as a witness to it.

 

[visionary]

At peace with God... I like that...

 

[Aaron112]

At peace with God... I like that...

How can someone stuck in bablyon find freedom , then peace with God ?