Sabbath: Noble Prince of Peace
Image © Pacific Press
Sabbath Afternoon
Read for This Week’s Study: Isa: 9:1-5; Isaiah 9.6-7; Isa: 9:8-10:34; Isa: 11:1-16; Isa: 12:1-6.
Memory Text: “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).
Dr. Robert Oppenheimer, who supervised the creation of the first atomic bomb, appeared before a Congressional Committee [in the United States]. They inquired of him if there were any defense against the weapon. “‘Certainly,’ the great physicist replied.
‘And that is—’
Dr. Oppenheimer looked over the hushed, expectant audience and said softly: ‘Peace.’ ” — Compiled by Paul Lee Tan, Encyclopedia of 7,700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times (Rockville, Md.: Assurance Publishers, 1979), p. 989.
Peace is an elusive dream for the human race. It has been estimated that since the beginning of recorded history the world has been entirely at peace only about 8 percent of the time. During these years, at least eight thousand treaties have been broken (Paul Lee Tan, p. 987, adapted).
In 1895 Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, provided for a trust to establish a prize for individuals who make an outstanding contribution to peace (Paul Lee Tan, p. 988, adapted). In recent years, however, even some winners of the Nobel Peace Prize have been involved in violent conflict.
This week, we’ll read about the only one who can bring true and everlasting peace.
Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, January 30.
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In 1992, Carmel and I flew to Europe and in the process flew over the Baltic states, which, at that time were in a state of civil war. It was an eerie feeling flying 11 kilometers above a war. I knew that on the ground 11 kilometres was not very far. What disturbed me the most was my sense of isolation. Right below me were people who had been at war for a very long time. There were children who had never known the joy of running down a street or walking in a park to hear the birds and smell the flowers. Their most frequent sound was the sound of gunfire, the most common smell, the stench of burnt cordite. And just 11 kilometres away, isolated in my flying aluminium tube, I did not even have to think about them, as I finished off my lunch before descending into Amsterdam Airport.
To a large extent, this world is driven by conflict. It powers economies, it drives politics, it is glorified in sport, and it entertains us when we switch on our TVs.
...and Jesus said:
Yet Jesus was no stranger to conflict. He had a running battle with the Scribes and Pharisees. He was tried in front of a rabble, who cried, "Crucify Him!"
What is this peace that Jesus gives us? What is the peace we are to share?
Profound, It really hit me hard when I look at the state of the church, conflicts after conflicts
We are living in a world crying for peace. One of the most dangerous weapons is our tongue/mouth. It can be a blessing if we use it for God’s glory. Some people mouth have been a cause for war, trouble and strife.
Let us use our mouth to bring peace in our home, neighborhood, workplace and the church. In 1 Corinthians 10: 31, “whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” Happy sabbath all and let us spread God’s peace(shalom) where we go.
Amen!!! Peace be with you.
Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. Psm 119:165
When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. Prov 16:7.
Noble Prince of Peace
Is peace the absence of war? Does it go beyond war? A soft answer turneth away wrath...Prov 15:1-9.
Jonah and Jesus were at peace although two deadly storms were occuring. Jesus was at peace when the mob came for him to crucify him. Is peace more of the mind and less of the physical body. Can one live in peace even while war is occurring in the land? Was Isaiah at peace even though so much was occurring in his time?
When peace like a river attended my way, when sorrow like sea bellow rolls...it is well with my soul.
Thanks, Lyn. So interesting, the connection you've pointed out between Jonah and Jesus both asleep in a sinking boat. As I understand it, the reasons they were asleep were vastly different.
Jonah does not care about all the loss of property, safety and peace that he has caused! He's focused only on his own needs. He sleeps rather than accept responsibility for the chaos happening around him. I don't think Jonah is at peace in this moment because he is consciously disobeying God and God is using the storm to draw Him back. I think Jonah sleeps in exhaustion from running away from God's call.
Jesus, on the other hand, sleeps in need of refreshment after a busy day of teaching and doing His Father's will. He had been confronted again by religious leaders. The crowds of needy people were constantly with Him and His empathy and energy were constantly going out to them. He was doing His Father's will 100% when He experienced the storm. Jesus sees a storm on the horizon and yet is at peace so much with His Father that He can rest until the Father calls Him back into active duty.
Useful application using these Bible stories when thinking about metaphorical storms in our lives and the battering storm of constant warring. In both Scriptural stories: (1) the storm stopped their forward momentum in its tracks .... the focus went from sailing to surviving and fear of dying; (2) everyone in the boat experienced the power and grace of God. To answer one of your questions, Yes, we can be at peace while war is happening around us when we experience that, as in both these stories, God is always there with us, with His rod and His staff.
Esther-'Noble Prince of Peace.
What does these two have in common? It was after both went into the depth of the boat that the terrible, wind started. The wind almost killed the others on the boat but these two men, Jesus and Jonah were asleep peacefully.
But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep. So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not. {RH December 4, 1913, par. 7}
There is a very beautiful reading from EG White in: Manuscript 130, 1903. Christ Stilling the Tempest.
Thank you for this conversation, Lyn! My remaining question is, can a child of God sleep peacefully when he knows he is running away from God (Jonah 1:3)? I reread Jonah and sure enough it does say he was below deck in a deep sleep (Jonah 1:5 NIV). When he awakes, he acknowledges that the storm is his fault (Jonah 1:12). The sailors were throwing their belongings overboard to lighten the ship (Jonah 1:5), I don't read that Jonah apologized for that. Isn't it possible to be snoring away with a false sense of security and false sense of peace, slumbering along in a drugged-like state of apathy? Jonah claims to worship God (Jonah 1:9) but resists being an instrument of God's mercy and grace (Jonah 4:1-3, 9-11). Does God let His child sleep peacefully when he/she harbors such bitterness in the heart as Jonah's?
I think of the five foolish virgins falling asleep without any oil to be ready for the bridegroom's coming (Matt 25:3-5). I think of the disciples sound asleep when they should have been watching and praying with Jesus (Matt 26:40-41). Also, the Laodicean church was in a state of stupor thinking they needed nothing (Rev. 3:17). Paul admonishes us to wake up! (Rom 13:11; Ephesians 5:14-17). Those of us living in "first world" countries especially need to be aware of a false sense of peace and ho-hum "yawn" indolence when, like Jonah, we're the cause of a lot of pain, loss and destruction around us through our sins of me-first-ism, like spewing our carbon emissions into the air.
Albert Einstein famously said “Peace is not merely the absence of war but the presence of justice, of law, of order —in short, of government.” Even this does not capture the true sense of peace. It is no wonder Jesus said “My peace I give to you; not as the world gives” (John 14:27). The peace of Jesus is unique, special and precious.
There are many countries which claim to experience “economic stability”, “political stability”, “social stability” and yet their citizens have not experienced the peace that Jesus gives. With all these assertions, families are broken down. Families are ravaged with heartaches, strife and no joy. Promises are broken leaving many in perpetual pain, sorrow and in distress.
True peace is elusive on the planet earth till the Prince of peace comes to usher in a new dispensation where they will be no tears, death, sorrow, pain nor crying (Rev.21:1- 4).
Meanwhile as much as it depends on each one of us, let us strive to live at peace with everyone(Rom.12:18).Let us desire to have the peace of Jesus that surpasses all understanding. This peace is the outcome of the Holy Spirit who dwells in our hearts. For peace does not reside in handshakes and peace treaties but in hearts of men/women.
The peace of God is the only peace. God’s way of obtaining peace is the true way.
The world offers many substitutes for peace that quiet the conscious and make us appear as one with others for a short time. Substitutes can even seem to help avoid conflicts that naturally exist between good and evil.
The peace God offers is genuine. It will last in our minds and hearts not only now but for eternity. (Isaiah 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee“.)
Isaiah 9:2KJV – “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.” Praise God! With this promise and hope, man’s struggles with governing himself has received help from Heaven.
What is at the heart of the message so greatly welcomed? What does it point out as its most outstanding difference to what government has been before? What has mankind struggled with the most since our exile from paradise? What is the most devastating loss mankind had to deal with since being on our own? PEACE!
Isaiah 9:6-7KJV –
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be on HIS shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and PEACE there will be no end, upon the throne of David, and over His kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgement and justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the LORD will perform this.”
God is preparing the heart and mind of all who choose to believe and live by His judgement and justice to become the citizen of His Kingdom.
The believer holds presently a dual citizenship; being the citizen of an earthly kingdom and the citizen of the, at this point in our life, unseen kingdom of Heaven.
The Father is in the process of establishing on earth that which man is unable to do by himself because of his fallen nature. I rejoice that everyone heeding His invitation will live in the kingdom of God where everlasting PEACE is assured by the Prince of Peace – Hallelujah!
Until then, we have been given the privilege to enjoy inner peace through faith in the promises of the everlasting, heavenly peace on earth. The future heavenly government’s principles are imprinted on our hearts and minds already, to live by and share with the world around us, inviting everyone who seeks peace to become its citizen.
I wait with great anticipation to enter my eternal peace, to wake up to share the fellowship with likeminded citizens and Him who’s name is called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
This lesson reminds me of a song in the old church hymnal we used previously, 'At the door' one verse simple states
' look not on earth for strife to cease
look not on earth for joy and peace
until the Saviour comes again
to banish death and sin'
It's going home time folks so let us stopping looking for the signs for Jesus to come it's time for us to listen for the call whether it's the call to embrace chilly hands of death or embrace the hands of persecutions. Maranatha!
despite our struggles there's always peace,,, from the phenomenon of Jonah and Jesus... they are just at their comfort despite what they are undergoing through
main theme being God's LOVE