This sublime word is undoubtedly one of the most important words in the entire Hebrew language. "Shalom" literally means "peace". It is most commonly used as a greeting and as a parting or "goodbye" expression. It encompasses the whole notion of a person being at peace, safe, healthy, whole, and sound.
As a word, however, shalom far transcends our understanding, and I humbly submit to us that we humans, living this side of Eden, can only partially grasp the meaning of the word.

Shalom speaks to harmony, serenity, balance, joy, tranquility, satisfaction, fulfillment, health, and perfection. It is a rare, elusive condition that, though universally sought by all human beings, is not so easily obtainable. In Buddhism, for example, devotees are continually seeking to attain Nirvana (a state of eternal bliss). In Islam, worshippers believe they will gain access to Firdaus (or Paradise). The English word "paradise" itself is cloned from the Persian word "pardis", meaning "heaven" or "garden". In the Bible, the ancient Jewish prophet Haggai prophesied of a time when the "...Desire of all Nations will come..." (Haggai 2:7, NKJV). It is a craving, a hunger, that is a cultural universal such that Solomon could say: "...he has placed eternity in the hearts of men..." (Ecclesiastes 3:11, last part). Complete shalom, though sought by almost all humanity, is a condition that humans cannot (of themselves), attain.

In Eden, our first parents had whole shalom. Everything God created was "good", beautiful, harmonious, and balanced in perfect equilibrium. Gan Eden was the most beautiful environment into which God could place the crowning centerpiece of his creative endeavors - man! The spiritual, psychological, and physical fellowship between God and our father Adam was perfect. There was no fear, shame, worry, jealousy, hatred, or any of the many negative energies in existence today. There was no disease, putrefaction, death, or any such malignancy. Before the Fall, the couple in Eden had absolutely no idea what "evil" was. They had only experienced "good" until that fateful day when the crafty serpent led Eve and her husband into sin and rebellion against God. He convinced Eve to eat from the "mixed fruit" of good and evil, which he (the enemy), had planted (cf Matthew 13:25). It was the absence of inner shalom that led them into sewing fig leaves to try and regain the lost harmonious condition. The fact that they still ran away to hide (in fear and shame) when they heard God walking in the Garden in the cool of the day, just goes to prove that their desperate attempts at clothing themselves and restoring inner shalom had not succeeded. Shalom had fled from them!

So, in the first demonstration of his infinite love for the human family, Adonai immediately set in motion the process of restoration. He made garments of animal skin(s) for our parents and also promised that; "...the seed of the woman would crush the serpent's head..." (Genesis 3:15). It was a prophecy that shalom would only be fully restored with the removal of the root cause of man's troubles and the subsequent lack of peace - the eradication of sin, Satan, and death. Said the apostle Paul: "...the God of PEACE shall soon crush Satan under our feet..." (Romans 16:20, emphasis added). And; "...the last enemy to be destroyed is death." (1 Corinthians 15:26).

Thus we see that the theme of peace and reconciliation runs right through the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation. The first, and most important facet of shalom is the shalom between God and man. This is the most important thing that we lost in Eden. Later, as  sanctified Israel approached the Holy Land as they came in from their desert wanderings, they fell into idolatry. Moab seduced them into worshipping the Baal of Peor. Phinehas, son of Eleazar, the priest, zealously slew an armorous Jewish man and his idolatrous Canaanite companion for breaking the covenant relationship between Elohim Yisrael and Israel. Adonai, therefore, entered into a covenant of peace with him and his family (Numbers 25:12).  
Yahshua too, during his ministry here on earth, always blessed his disciples with the words: "... peace be with you..." (John 20:19, 21 etc). "...peace I leave with you..." (John 14:27). The same can be said for angels whenever they appeared to human beings in the Bible (cf Daniel 10:19). Angels always sought to allay the fear that their supernatural appearance engendered in the humans they visited. The heavenly Father is also described as a God of peace, not of confusion (1Corinthians 14:33). It is, therefore, best to avoid arguments on spiritual matters since such intercourse  always leads to the loss of shalom.

During the Levitical Priesthood, Aharon and his sons were commanded to place blessings on Elohim's people in the following manner:

"The LORD bless and keep you;
the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; 
The LORD turn his face towards you and give you PEACE." (Numbers 6:24 - 26, NIV, full caps mine).

Thus we see that shalom (peace) was central to the way Elohim blessed his people. Also, one of the offerings outlined in that dispensation was the "shelamim" (the peace or fellowship offering). It was the only sacrifice in which part of the meat was given back to the supplicant to eat. The shelamim symbolized the restoration of ruptured relations between Elohim Yisrael and man. Such restoration was/is always cause for joy and celebration. So we see that when Yahshua was born in Bethlehem of Yehudah, the angelic host could not restrain themselves for joy! Narrates Luke: "... suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 
    "Glory to God in the   highest, and on earth PEACE to men on whom his favor rests."
(Luke 2:13-14, NIV, full caps mine). 
This was because his birth heralded the restoration of strained relations between Heaven and humanity.

The Patriarch Jacob too, prophesied that the ruling scepter of Israel would not depart from Judah until its rightful owner came (Genesis 49:10). The name of the said owner as per the text is 'Shiloh'. This was a Messianic prophecy and 'Shiloh' (meaning - the "Peace-maker"), is none other than Yahshua himself. Thus we see that Yahshua's sacrificial death on Golgotha reconciled both Jew and Gentile to Adonai (John 11:51-52). Just as the death of the animal(s) provided skins for clothing Adam and Eve (so that they were not naked before Elohim), so does Yahshua's sacrifice enable us to clothe ourselves with him through baptism (Galatians 3:27). Having been thus clothed, we are no longer naked before Adonai (and therefore are at peace with Him)! Thus Yahshua is our Peace and our Salvation. In him, we become acceptable to Adonai and full fellowship with Him is restored. So Shiloh comes as the Prince of Peace, of whose Kingdom and SHALOM, there will be no end (Isaiah 9:6-7)!  Through him, all things are reconciled to Adonai (Colossians 1:19-20).

Just as he calmed the stormy Sea of Galilee by commanding: "Peace, be still!" (Mark 4:39), so will Yahshua calm the restless sea of humanity (cf Isaiah 57:20; Jude 1:13). This will happen at his Second Coming (cf Revelation 17:15).
He comes to restore and renew all things to the Edenic state (Acts 3:21). That is why he is the "Desire of Ages". We shall then experience the full multidimensional immensity of the word shalom. Physically, psychologically, socially, and spiritually -  there shall be shalom. Ecological harmony shall be restored. "The wolf shall lie with the lamb...and a little child shall guide them." (Isaiah11:6). "...for the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea..." (Habakkuk 2:14). Such glorious tidings! Isaiah could not help but cry out: "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim PEACE..!" (Isaiah 52:7, NIV, emphasis mine).

There shall be peace between one nation and another, for: "...nation shall not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore..." (Isaiah 2:4; Micah 4:4). Peaceful,  brotherly, non-exploitative relations shall exist between nations and between races. Just imagine! No racism, no Anti-Semitism, no feminism, no class wars, none of the many negative -isms as is the case today!

Even among individuals, there shall be shalom in interpersonal relationships. Says Micah: "...every man will sit under his vine and under his own fig tree and no one will make them afraid." (Micah 4:4). "They shall build houses and dwell in them..." (Isaiah 65:21). The peace shall be so total that Yerushalayim (Jerusalem), the capital of the Messianic Kingdom, shall live out her prophetic name as the "City of Peace."

As of now, the kingdom of peace resides partially in believers (cf Luke 17:21). Believers experience a sense of inner peace by believing in the Son of God. "My peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you..." (John 14:27). In fact, it is possible to be in very tempestuous circumstances and yet have complete peace and calm at heart. This is the peace that the martyr Stephen had, even as the irate mob rained down stones on him. It is the "...peace of God that surpasses all understanding..." (Philippians 4:7). It is the peace that allows one to sing: "...it is well with my soul..." even as calamitous events buffet him all around. The believer's heart is garrisoned against all kinds of storms, difficulties, and hardships in this troublesome life. This kind of peace is priceless and perfect, obtainable only from God himself (cf Isaiah 26:3).

Finally, when we hail each other: "Shalom Shabbat!", we not only wish each other a joyous, peaceful Shabbat but also prophetically express our hope that we shall be part of the coming  millennial Shabbat mentioned in the scriptures: "There remains, then, a Sabbath of rest for the people of God..." (Hebrews 4:9, NIV). The weekly Shabbat, coming as it does, on the seventh day of the week, is a shadow of the Millennial Shabbat coming at the End of the Age. In 2Peter 3:8, we are told that with the LORD, a day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years is as a day. So in a way, mankind is fast approaching the end of the sixth day of the seven thousand year week! So the millennial Shabbat is nigh! O what glorious tidings! Shalom chaverim!

Pst Ken Chang'andu