Proclaiming Peace

God told the Hebrews in Deuteronomy 20:10-12 before they entered the land of promise:  "When you go near a city to fight against it, then proclaim an offer of peace to it. ¹¹ And it shall be that if they accept your offer of peace, and open to you, then all the people who are found in it shall be placed under tribute to you, and serve you. ¹² Now if the city will not make peace with you, but makes war against you, then you shall besiege it."  Though there were cities and nations God commanded the Israelites to destroy as His chosen instrument of judgment, there was opportunity for those who lived in the land God promised the Hebrews to continue living and enjoy prosperity.  The Hebrews were to approach a city with an offer of peace, not a threat of war.  If the people in the city were willing to accept the terms of being servants to Israel and paying tribute, they would enjoy the benefits of living in a land blessed by God.  If they rejected the terms of peace, however, they faced a siege and defeat by the hands of God's people.

This is a principle we see God employ throughout the scriptures, for it is consistent with His good character to promote peace with the aim to save people rather than destroy them.  To sinners who are enemies of God through their rebellion and wickedness, God has proclaimed peace to all by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  When Jesus Christ the LORD was born in Bethlehem, angels proclaimed His birth to the world in Luke 2:13-14:  "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: ¹⁴ "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"  To lost sinners at war with God by their pride, self-righteousness and all manner of transgression, God proclaimed peace through Jesus coming to earth as Saviour.  The amazing thing is when people reject His free offer of peace, He does not write them off:  He settles down right outside the door of their hearts, knocks and calls for them to open unto Him so they might experience fellowship together.

When people receive the Gospel and become born-again Christians, the indwelling Holy Spirit gears us up with the "preparation of the Gospel of peace."  We are to preach peace to those who are near or afar off that all may come to know Jesus as LORD and become His servants as well.  Jesus commanded His disciples He sent out in Matthew 10:11-13 to preach the kingdom of God:  "Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out. ¹² And when you go into a household, greet it. ¹³ If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you."  With Jesus as our peace, as much as depends on us, we are to live peaceably with everyone.  We are not to be combative, argumentative, smug or easily angered by those who oppose or resist the truth of the Gospel, for Jesus is our peace Who brings rest to our souls.

Similar to cities that refused the offer of peace by the Hebrews and were starved out, when people refuse to receive Christ and the Gospel ultimately there will be devastating, unavoidable consequences.  Everyone is already heading towards the death of our bodies and eternal torment in hell for our own sin against God that His word has detailed in black and white.  God commands all people to repent, for all the world will be judged by the risen King Jesus.  God has also given us a conscience that agrees that there is right and wrong, and that it is right to bring those who are guilty of doing wrong under judgment.  How thankful and grateful we ought to be that God has drawn near to us and proclaimed peace to us, and that the offer of eternal life is received by the Gospel.  When we deserved to be wiped from the face of the earth for our iniquity, God loved us, was merciful to us, and sent His own Son to redeem us--not just to be His subjects but as beloved sons and daughters.