Today is a day where we slow down, get together, have barbecue, and celebrate summer is coming. This has always marked, for me, the turning of the season. It can be all those things, yes, but first, let us take a moment for Memorial Day.
My dad, when we would all get together, would read stories of men and women who sacrificed everything without concern for profit or recognition. He would read stories of those who were given a Purple Heart.
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the president to those wounded or killed while serving, on or after 5 April 1917, with the U.S. military. With its forerunner, the Badge of Military Merit, which took the form of a heart made of purple cloth, the Purple Heart is the oldest military award still given to U.S. military members. https://media.defense.gov/
Here’s an article that helped me even more to understand the Purple Heart. Each recipient served, fought, and many, many times gave their lives for our freedom today.
I’ve been teaching my way through Romans, and in my study of Romans 9:1-5, I did a concordance search of these first five verses. I came across Genesis 49:10 and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it.
“¶“Judah, you are the one whom your brothers shall praise; Your hand will be on the neck of your enemies; Your father’s sons shall bow down to you. “Judah, a lion’s cub; With the prey, my son, you have gone high up [the mountain]. He stooped down, he crouched like a lion, And like a lion—who dares rouse him? [Rev 5:5] “The scepter [of royalty] shall not depart from Judah, Nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, Until Shiloh [the Messiah, the Peaceful One] comes, And to Him shall be the obedience of the peoples. [Num 24:17; Ps 60:7; Ezek 21:27] “Tying his foal to the [strong] vine And his donkey’s colt to the choice vine, He washes his clothing in wine [because the grapevine produces abundantly], And his robes in the blood of grapes. [Is 63:1-3; Zech 9:9; Rev 19:11-16]”
Genesis 49:8-11 AMP
https://bible.com/bible/1588/gen.49.8-11.AMP
This is Jacob’s last blessing to his twelve sons. It’s a wild chapter, not all are blessed. (Reuben, Simeon, Levi, for starters) But for Judah, there is so much here. I’m going to focus on one thing. There is some debate here, but Jacob mentions the name, Shiloh. As you can see, the Amplified version points to the Messiah.
Shiloh, the Peaceful One, comes. Memorial Day remembers those who sacrificed everything for our peace. Jesus was the Lamb of God who gave first, died and resurrected for our salvation. For our deliverance. Memorial Day calls us to remember.
That name, Shiloh, reminds me where my peace is found. Here’s Strong’s definition.
Shîylôh, shee-lo’; from H7951; tranquil; Shiloh, an epithet of the Messiah:—Shiloh.
And here is a definition of epithet:
- A term used to characterize a person or thing, such as rosy-fingered in rosy-fingered dawn or the Great in Catherine the Great.
- A term used as a descriptive substitute for the name or title of a person, such as The Great Emancipator for Abraham Lincoln.
The root word of Shiloh is šālâ:
- to be at rest, prosper, be quiet, be at ease
- (Qal)
- to be or have quiet
- to be at ease, prosper
- (Qal)
Just think of how Isaiah describes our Messiah in chapter 9.
“But there will be no more gloom for her who was in anguish [for with judgment comes the promise of salvation]. In earlier times He treated the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali with contempt, but later on He will make them honored [by the presence of the Messiah], by the way of the sea, on the other side of Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles. The people who walk in [spiritual] darkness Will see a great Light; Those who live in the dark land, The Light will shine on them. [Is 42:6; Matt 4:15, 16] You [O God] will increase the nation, You will multiply their joy; They will rejoice before You Like the joy and jubilation of the harvest, As men rejoice when they divide the spoil [of victory]. For You will break the yoke of Israel’s burden and the staff (goad) on their shoulders, The rod of their oppressor, as at the battle of Midian. [Judg 7:8-22] For every boot of the marching warrior in the battle tumult, And [every soldier’s] garment rolled in blood, will be used for burning, fuel for the fire. For to us a Child shall be born, to us a Son shall be given; And the government shall be upon His shoulder, And His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. [Is 25:1; 40:9-11; Matt 28:18; Luke 2:11] There shall be no end to the increase of His government and of peace, [He shall rule] on the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From that time forward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this. [Dan 2:44; 1 Cor 15:25-28; Heb 1:8]”
Isaiah 9:1-7 AMP
https://bible.com/bible/1588/isa.9.1-7.AMP
I can’t help it. I have to give you the whole passage. I’ve highlighted the portion that mentions Messiah’s name, Prince of Peace.
So when we wake up in the middle of the night, or an intrusive thought pops in our heads, or feelings threaten to overwhelm. Side note: let us remember always. Our feelings are not truth. We have our Messiah that has come and we can rest because He is our Peace. Always.
Just as our service men and women have laid down their lives for our physical peace, Jesus has paid the price for our eternal peace that begins now.
Have a blessed day. And remember.
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