The Israelites rightly compared the Lord to a man of war in Exodus 15:3.  This was after they had been delivered from Egypt through the dividing of the Red Sea and the deadly overthrow of Pharaoh’s army which was drowned when the waters of the sea returned upon them as they pursued the Israelites.  
Yet the truth that the Lord can rightfully be compared to a man of war meant judgment and terror for Israel eventually.  They did not learn the lessons which they should have learned from the Red Sea and the destruction of Pharaoh’s Army.  Israel itself refused to heed God’s commandments and walk in His ways.

Look at Isaiah’s commentary on this in Isaiah 63:7-10: “I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the Lord, and the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses.  For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Savior.  In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.  But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.”

The origin of Jesus being called the Prince of Peace is this prophecy about the Messiah found earlier in Isaiah 9:6-7: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father (that is, Father of eternity), The Prince of Peace.  Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever.  The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.”

Later in the same book we read the following in Isaiah 48:22: “There is no peace, saith the Lord, unto the wicked.”

This verse in its context is related to a prophecy that God would judge the Jews through the Babylonians and have them led into captivity for not obeying His commandments.  They would only be redeemed by acknowledging their sins before Him and turning from them.  This is a timeless, unchanging principle which applies to everyone.  Jesus is only the Prince of Peace in the context of righteousness (subjection to His Righteous Government; walking in the commandments and ways thereof).  He has not promised peace otherwise.  He has rather guaranteed war with opposition to His righteous reign.

It is no wonder that Jesus said in Matthew 10:34: “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.”

The judgment and division caused by His sword in this life is both a precursor of Judgment Day and a merciful warning to those who remain to forsake all regard for sin and receive His righteous reign.  Those who don’t take heed will lose all peace and find nothing from Him besides the fierceness and wrath of war.  Read about His second coming in Revelation chapter 19 for proof of that.

Aaron’s email is: [email protected]

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