By Roy B. Blizzard
Continuing in our study of the Beatitudes, this week our verse is Matthew 5:9:
King James Version
Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the sons of God.
Translation:
Blessed are those running after or following peace, for they shall be called sons of God.
In Job 25:2, we read
Dominion and fear are with Him and He makes peace in His high places.
The term "peacemaker" is never used in the Old Testament except in relationship to God. However, it is used one time in the Mishnah in Order Zeraim, Tractate Peah 1:1.
There are the things the fruits of which man enjoys in this world and the stock of which remains for him in the world to come:
Honoring one’s father and mother,
acts of charity,
and making peace between man and his fellow.
But the study of Torah is equal to them all.
In Hosea 1:10, it does refer to the children of Israel and mentions that instead of being said to them, "You are not My people, it shall be said unto them you are the children of the Living God or the sons God."
The term that is used both in the Biblical text and in the Mishnah is the well-known word shalom, a word with which I am sure you are all acquainted. What you may not know is that the word has many meanings. It can mean peace or it can mean wholeness. It can mean security or prosperity.
I once had a colleague who wrote his entire doctoral dissertation on the meaning of the root shin, lamed, mem from which shalom comes. I believe that this passage is best understood when translated as follows:
"Blessed are those who are running after the peace (i.e., wholeness or completeness that only God can give), this is what those who are children of God do."
