Providing peace for his creation is a characteristic of God. In the OT peace came through adherence to God's will as expressed in his spoken word, covenants and law. The Hebrew word “shalom” means “peace in all its fulness, in every aspect of life”.
Peace provided for God's people
Through obedience to God's spoken word
Genesis 2:16–17 See also 2 Kings 5:13–19; Job 22:21–22; Psalm 85:8; Isaiah 54:13; Daniel 10:15–19
And the LORD God commanded him, “You may eat freely from every tree of the garden, but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; for in the day that you eat of it, you will surely die.”
Through obedience to God's covenants
Deuteronomy 29:9 See also Deuteronomy 30:15–16; Malachi 2:1–6
So keep and follow the words of this covenant, that you may prosper in all you do.
Through obedience to God's laws
Psalm 119:165 See also Leviticus 26:3–12; Deuteronomy 28:1–7; 2 Chronicles 14:2–7; Psalm 37:34–38; Proverbs 3:13–17; Isaiah 48:18
Abundant peace belongs to those who love Your law; nothing can make them stumble.
Peace expressed in signs
Genesis 9:13–16 See also Exodus 13:21–22, Exodus 40:36–38; Judges 6:22–24
I have set My rainbow in the clouds, and it will be a sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. Whenever I form clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember My covenant between Me and you and every living creature of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. And whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of every kind that is on the earth.”
Peace provided for God's nation
Through provision of the land
Psalm 37:11 See also 1 Samuel 7:13–14; 1 Chronicles 4:40; Psalm 37:3
But the meek will inherit the land and delight in abundant prosperity.
Through provision of a holy city
Isaiah 33:20–24 See also Psalm 122:6–8; Isaiah 66:10–13; Jeremiah 33:6–9; Zechariah 1:16–17
Look upon Zion, the city of our appointed feasts. Your eyes will see Jerusalem, a peaceful pasture, a tent that does not wander; its tent pegs will not be pulled up, nor will any of its cords be broken. But there the Majestic One, our LORD, will be for us a place of rivers and wide canals, where no galley with oars will row, and no majestic vessel will pass. For the LORD is our Judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our King. It is He who will save us. Your ropes are slack; they cannot secure the mast or spread the sail. Then an abundance of spoils will be divided, and even the lame will carry off plunder. And no resident of Zion will say, “I am sick.” The people who dwell there will be forgiven of iniquity.
Through provision of a house of God
Haggai 2:9 See also 1 Chronicles 22:6–10; Ezekiel 37:24–28
The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former, says the LORD of Hosts. And in this place I will provide peace, declares the LORD of Hosts.”
Through provision of the law
Isaiah 48:18 See also Deuteronomy 6:1–3, Deuteronomy 30:15–16
If only you had paid attention to My commandments, your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like waves of the sea.
The benefits of peace
Peace and God's presence
Isaiah 41:10 See also Numbers 6:22–26; Joshua 1:9; Psalm 23:1–4, Psalm 29:11; Jeremiah 30:10–11
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
Peace in captivity
Jeremiah 29:7 See also Exodus 1:6–12; Jeremiah 31:1–2
Seek the prosperity of the city to which I have sent you as exiles. Pray to the LORD on its behalf, for if it prospers, you too will prosper.”
Peace in suffering
Psalm 119:50 See also Isaiah 61:1–4; Jeremiah 34:1–5
This is my comfort in affliction, that Your promise has given me life.
Peace in poverty
Isaiah 14:30 See also 1 Samuel 2:6–9; Psalm 68:5–10; Proverbs 17:1
Then the firstborn of the poor will find pasture, and the needy will lie down in safety, but I will kill your root by famine, and your remnant will be slain.
Peace with enemies
Proverbs 16:7 See also 1 Chronicles 22:7–9; Jeremiah 29:4–7
When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.