Canada and God's Strategic Plan

 

Photographed by: Avi Theret of the Edom Mountains Israel

On the morning of July 1, 2021, I had my breakfast, went to my office and began spending time with the Lord. It was Dominion Day, which is a very special day for us Canadians especially, during what may seem like uncertain and dark times. I asked the Lord what was His message to Canada? What encouragement or insight did He have that He could share with His Canadian people? All I could hear in response was “Judges chapter four”. So, I opened my Bible and read this particular chapter and to my surprise there are so many parallels in this story that relate to the times we are living in now. I believe the story provides a message of hope and insight for Canadians.

 

Summary:

 

This particular chapter in Judges, relays the story of how, after the death of the Judge Ehud, Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord. Jabin, King of Canaan, invaded Israel using 900 chariots of iron that were under the command of Sisera. They suppressed Israel for 20 years. Now Deborah was a prophetess who was the wife of Lappidoth (though some translations think it could also mean she came from a place called Lappidoth). She calls for a man named Barak, who is the son of Abinoam, from Kedesh, in Naphtali. She tells him to mount an army of 10,000 men from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun and to then gather at Mount Tabor. The Israelites are then to move to the river Kishon to draw out King Jabin’s General. In the end, the Israelites are victorious and they are able to subdue all of King Jabin’s forces.

 

Importance of Names:

 

In this story there are several names worth noting and translating. Names give a different picture of what is actually going on and names are not something coincidental but intentional. Here is a list of characters and places with their Hebrew translations. To get these translations I referred to Abarim Publications. I find they provide (in my opinion) accurate translations, research and in-depth analysis of Hebrew words. You can view their resources here.

 

Characters:

 

King Jabin of Canaan: In Hebrew, the word Jabin comes from the verb bin which means “to distinguish and thus to discern, contemplate and understand”.

 

Commander Sisera: name translates roughly to “meditation” from Hittite etymology but to a Hebrew audience it may translate to “keen and swift” or “see the horse”.

 

Deborah: Deborah and the Hebrew word דבורה have an identical meaning which translates to “bee” but both have the same root word dabar which means to formalize or to deliberately establish by pronouncing something's name or definition. It’s what causes something to become “real” like how God spoke His Word and created things into existence.

 

Barak son of Abinoam: name comes from the verb baraq which means “to cast forth” like that of light and lightning. So, essentially his name means lightning.

 

Jael: A name that translates to either mountain goat or someone who is profitable and useful. Jael comes from the Hebrew verb ya'al which means to profit, benefit or be of any practical use. However, the nouns ya'al and ya'ala describe a male and female mountain goat.

 

 

Place Names:

 

Harosheth-hagoyim: Sisera came from and lived in the city/area Harosheth-hagoyim which are two words often translated together. Harosheth comes from the feminine noun haroshet which means to engrave or cut into something like an engraver. The later part, hagoyim means “of the nations” or “of the gentiles”. Jabin swiftly came and conquered the Israelites and tried in an effort to engrave or carve into the Israelite people for 20 years.

 

Ramah: Ramah translates typically as height or lofty place.

 

Bethel: Bethel translates to house of God.

 

Mount Tabor: a physical location where its name means “to purify or clarify”. 

 

Kedesh: the verb for Kadesh is qadash which means to be holy, permanent and unalterable.

 

Kishon: Snarer or Place of the Snaring. The Kishon is a river that meets the Mediterranean Sea on the north side of mount Carmel, which is present day Haifa.

 

 

 

We first begin with Israel’s subjugation to King Jabin. It is interesting how, when Israel rebelled, the “Lord sold [Israel] into the hand of Jabin” (Judges 4:2 AMP) or sold them into discernment since that is what Jabin roughly translates to. Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army, swiftly came and conquered the Israelites. Like the place in which he came and lived in, Harosheth-hagoyim, he tried to carve and cut into Israel through military might and suppression. Israel was under King Jabin’s choking grip for 20 years.

 

Now our story progresses when we are introduced to Deborah who is a prophetess and judge over Israel. The Bible says, “she sat under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim” (Judges 4:5 AMP). It’s interesting how Deborah resides under this palm tree between a “high place” and the “house of God”. Her relationship with God in gaining prophetic insight allowed her to see things from a higher, clearer perspective. This was coupled with her closeness in being in the house of God or in His presence. When the Israelites come to her for judgement she calls for Barak, son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali. Deborah says:

 

Has not the Lord, the God of Israel, commanded you. Go gather your men at Mount Tabor, taking 10,000 men from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun? And I will draw out Sisera, the general of Jabin’s army, to meet you at the river Kishon with his chariots and his multitude, and I will deliver him into your hand?” (Judges 4:6-7 AMP).

 

What happens next is very profound. Barak replies to Deborah, “If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go” (Judges 4:8 AMP). Barak insists on Deborah coming with him to aid the Israelites in commanding and directing the armies alongside him. Barak valued this prophetess and he knew she was a mouthpiece of God. He did not want to depart from this especially, during battle. This situation puts me in mind of the scripture which reads, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall read [and meditate on] it day and night, so that you may be careful to do [everything] in accordance with all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will be successful” (Joshua 1:8 AMP). Barak did not want God’s Word departing from him. He wanted Deborah there helping in directing and guiding them in the battle. In response, Deborah makes it clear that she will come with them but that “the trip you take will not be for your glory” (Judges 4:9 AMP). God was going to show up in a mighty way!

 

 

The Battle and Military Strategy

 

Oftentimes, when we read bible stories like this we tend to skip over or maybe not understand some of the details the biblical writers are giving. Military strategies are very important and they give us insight into how God is a great strategist. He’s always infinitely ahead of what we see and know.

Photo curtesy of God's War Plan

 

In the beginning of chapter 4, in Judges, we are introduced to the Canaanite military power which was 900 chariots made of iron. In ancient times, this was a magnificent and formidable force indeed. Remember typical ways of transportation among common people were usually donkeys or journeying on foot. Horses and camels were rarer because of the cost of upkeep and so on. So chariots, MADE OF IRON, are equal to that of a military tank in our time. Typically, Canaanite military would often patrol military zones in the plains and low hill regions with their fast moving chariots.[i] This way of guarding would prevent Israel and other attackers from settling in the area and keep them from disrupting trade routes in the Jezreel Valley.[ii]

 

 

Deborah and Barak’s Strategy

 

Deborah and Barak rally Israelite troops from Zebulun and Naphtali to make a stand in Kadesh, a holy and unalterable army. Sisera takes the Canaanite army to meet the Israelites in Kadesh. The Israelites then feign a retreat to Mount Tabor.[iii] They look as if they are fleeing from the Canaanite army but they are leading them into a trap. Sisera takes the bait and pursues the Israelites eastward.[iv] Deborah and Barak lead their army up Mount Tabor. They have the best vantage point because not only can they see the enemy from above but they have the upper, hilly, ground which is not conducive for chariots.

 

It was also a terrible layout for Sisera’s army. As he pushed eastward towards Mount Tabor he neared closer to the river Kishon (the Place of Snaring) which the plains around this area are marshy and muddy, at best. The Israelites are upon Mount Tabor safe from the iron chariots and they wait for the best moment to mount an attack. When Sisera’s chariots began to near the Kishon River plains, they were met with God’s providence as a torrential rain occurred. This led to flooding in the river Kishon and it swept away most of the opposing army (Judges 5:21). It says in verse 14 that Deborah calls out to Barak, “Up! For this is the day when the Lord has given Sisera into your hand. Is not the Lord gone out before you?” (Judges 4:14 AMP). The Israelites descend upon the Canaanite army that is bogged down by mud and dazed with confusion. On foot, the Israelites were able to maneuver with ease on this muddy terrain.

 

Knowing his army had lost, Sisera abandons his troops, retreating to Heber the Kenite who was supposed to be an ally to King Jabin. Sisera meets Heber’s wife, Jael, who hides him in her tent from the Israelite army. When Sisera falls asleep from exhaustion, Jael kills him by lodging a tent peg into the temple of his head. Barak had pursued Sisera and came to Jael looking for him. When Barak shows up Jael shows him the dead body of Sisera, a tent peg lodged in his head.

Photo of Mount Tabor

Canada’s Battle

 

The Israelites were victorious! By dismantling King Jabin’s great military force the suppression was lifted. However,  like Deborah said this was not Barak or any man’s doing. It was all God. 

I find it fascinating how this story is still relevant to us today. It still speaks and attests to God’s great strategy and wisdom. While it may seem Canada is under the suppression of a Godless government that is selling her out to foreign powers, God is assembling a great military counter-force. We are in a battle right now. The Ecclesia is assembling together and meeting in Kadesh. We feel as if we are falling back and that nothing is working out to our favour or advantage and the armies of censorship, mandates and court rulings are on our heels. The situation looks like God’s Canadian Church is retreating and running but we are running to a better vantage point. We are running to Mount Tabor, the place of purification, where God is removing things that have hindered His church like apathy, compromise, spirits of religion and legalism etc. We stand on this mountain, seeing everything from a higher vantage point and safe from the enemy’s rolling chariots. And we wait…we wait on the mountain and watch as God’s strategy comes together. All of a sudden, the prey becomes the pursuer as the enemy is trapped in a great muddy snare. Their wheels are lodged deep in mud, they cannot move, confusion and panic begin to set in and then a storm comes. Rain pours down and the river Kishon floods over in a great torrent. “The torrent Kishon swept [the foe] away, the onrushing torrent, the torrent Kishon. O my soul, march on with strength” (Judges 5:21). The enemy’s army is completely dismantled. Even the leader, Sisera runs away terrified that all his men were destroyed. However, this fearful, selfish commander does not get away. Justice does not let him away as he meets a “useful” woman. The Israelite people overcame the tyranny that had suppressed them. God’s strategy, wisdom and planning accomplished this. Just as He planned redemption for the Israelites, He has executed a plan in the works for us. A Great Shift has occurred and now we are going to watch from the high places as the enemy is ensnared in a trap. While things may look like we are in retreat especially, with regards to certain court rulings and government bills, God’s military strategy is just playing out as it should. We are the victors because God has delivered them into our hand. To God be all the Glory when we see everything come to pass and our nation free once again. MARCH ON CANADA WITH STRENGTH!

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[i] Andy. “Bible Battles: KISHON RIVER: Deborah and Barak; Sisera; Judges 4.” Gods War Plan | Best Bible Battles & War Strategy. SEO Prophets, April 4, 2020. https://godswarplan.com/bible-battles-kishon-river-deborah-and-barak-sisera-king-jabin-hazor-tent-peg-judges-4.

[ii] Andy. “Bible Battles: KISHON RIVER: Deborah and Barak; Sisera; Judges 4.”

[iii] Andy. “Bible Battles: KISHON RIVER: Deborah and Barak; Sisera; Judges 4.”

[iv] Andy. “Bible Battles: KISHON RIVER: Deborah and Barak; Sisera; Judges 4.”

Canada's Dominion Day

Robert Harris, “Meeting of the Delegates of British North America to Settle the Terms of Confederation, Quebec, October 1864”. Charcoal and red chalk on woven paper.

Pull out that red and white shirt, fire up the barbeques and light off some fireworks. It’s time to celebrate the birth of our nation, Canada! Happy Dominion Day! Yes, that’s right, DOMINION DAY. Not Canada Day. Before the year 1982, Canadians across our northern country celebrated every July 1st as Dominion Day. It is a significant day in our nation’s history when our Fathers of Confederation signed the British North America Act in 1867. This provided the unification of three out of the five British North American colonies into one federal state with a parliamentary system that modelled that of Britain. The three colonies included Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and the Province of Canada (which was divided into Ontario and Quebec).[i] The West at this point in time was still frontier land.

 

It is a very significant day, in which we celebrate not only Canada’s beginnings but also our freedoms and liberties. Our forefathers named it, a dominion, due to the passage of scripture found in Psalm in 72:8. The passage reads, “He (God) shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth”. Despite what secular, sanitized history would tell you, Canada is a nation founded on this truth; that it is God’s domain. The word domain comes from the Middle English word demayne, which is from Anglo-French demeine, from the Latin dominium, and thereby dominus.[ii] The meaning of dominus (plural) or domini (singular) is lord or master. Through time, this word changes and is adapted into different meanings. Domain (in terms of law and possession) means, “complete and absolute ownership of land”.[iii] However, I think our forefathers probably understood domain more from its etymological predecessor: dominate. Dominate is a transitive verb that means “to exert the supreme determining or guiding influence on (something)”.[iv] So, when we celebrate Dominion Day we not only celebrate God possessing our land but we concede, like our Fathers of Confederation, that we want God to be the supreme determining and guiding influence of our nation. Nothing else. No man, no social justice laws or cultural dictations—just God and his Word.

 

Very much like our American counterparts with their Independence Day, we celebrate God’s dominion over our land. Afterall, you don’t see a bill being passed to alter the name of Independence Day to United States Day. The historical significance of the day is in the name. Names are very important. They are the containers in which we execute our faith or lack thereof.

However, in the year 1982 Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau’s Liberal government introduced Bill C-201 which was called an Act to Amend the Holidays Act.[v] It was on the afternoon of July 9th in 1982, thirteen MPs rammed this bill through all the due processes. These processes include the Second Reading, Committee, Report, and Third Reading.[vi] You can view the official transcript in the Commons Debates of which the house immediately adjourned HERE. This bill moved through the House of Commons so quickly that if you read the transcript Conservative MP for Nepean-Carleton, David Baker responds, “What is going on?” amidst all the intrigue. This bill was passed unconstitutionally and for this reason Senate should have rejected it.[vii] According to our British North America Act , Section 48 reads, “The Presence of at least Twenty Members of the House of Commons shall be necessary to constitute a Meeting of the House for the Exercise of its Powers; and for that Purpose the Speaker shall be reckoned as a Member”.[viii] In order for any bill to pass, 20 members of parliament must be present not 13 as was the case for Bill C-201. This political intrigue, secrecy and downright shady behaviour is very reminiscent of our current government.

 

While you may be thinking, “what’s the big deal? It’s just the name of a holiday, isn’t it?” I will kindly respond like the Apostle Paul, “Absolutely, not!”. The fact that these politicians deliberately went out of their way to change our national holiday’s name shows you something is not right. Why would they ram this bill through in such an unconstitutional manner? Why in such a devious way were there only 13 members present and some having no idea what was going on. The answer is quite simple: it’s to strip away Canada’s true history and the rule of law.

 

On a YouTube interview that was published by The WorldView Endeavour, Canadian Political Scientist, Dr. Michael Wagner responds to the question, is Canadian history important for the Christian? Wagnor responds with the eloquent notion that, “Much of a national identity, or any community’s identity, is based on that community’s history. If we don’t understand our own history, we don’t have a proper identity.”[ix] He continues on by stating, “Our current Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says, ‘that Canada is the first post national-state without its own national identity’. He’s able to say that because people don’t know their history. If they knew their history stronger, they would have a better sense of identity.”[x]

Dominion Day Parade, July 1917. Bridge Street Grounds near Victoria Avenue. Niagara Falls History, Petrie Collection.

I believe since the late 1960’s when Pierre Elliot Trudeau was elected as Canada’s 15th Prime Minister, there has been an assault against Canada’s national identity and true history. The reason for this purge of history is to hopefully disunify Canada’s people. When people become clean slates, you can write, manipulate and create any society you want. In this case, by erasing Canada’s national identity the government and those pulling the strings can tell Canadians who they are, what they stand for and what our nation should strive towards. Right now, we are seeing tangible evidence of such crooked tactics. Young people protesting for communism and pseudo-social justice. Parades of people marching for every cause imaginable and hating their country. Churches shutting down and pastors being arrested for preaching the Gospel. These are tactics that have long been used by the enemy to try and subdue the nations of God. Notice how it always begins by stealing truth. Truth in our history, truth in our laws and truth in our people.

 

Canada’s history is by no means perfect. How can it be when history is made by imperfect individuals? It is not a coincidence that the remains of an Aboriginal burial ground has made certain headlines. So much so, it has sparked a hideous, unpatriotic hate towards Canada where everyone continues to repeat the same words, “Canada’s dark history”. Can someone please point out to me a nation that doesn’t have elements of darkness in their history?

 

History is a tool. It allows us to map out where we have come from and where we want to go. Canada is not perfect and neither is her history but there are so many aspects of Canada that are wonderful.

Vancouver Dominion day Parade: 1925: 100 Block of East Hastings. Archives# CVA 1376-579.

I believe and declare that the Lord has great plans for her people. He has poured His mighty FIRE to purify this nation of corruption and restore balance and justice. He is pouring out His GLORY to flood this nation with healing and restoration. I know God has great plans for Canada. He is working in all aspects. I know our Aboriginal communities will personally know the love of the Father. The cyclical bondage they have been in for so many generations is being eradicated. It will not be by money, man’s works or by government incentives. BUT by the power of the Almighty God that these people will be fully restored and recovered from all pain and heartbreak. Not one person will be forgotten or left out. The perfect love of God will turn out all fear and trauma for nothing is too great for Him. He is redeeming Canada for this is His domain.

 

So, let us gather together and celebrate this wonderful day! Let us thank the Lord for Canada. Let us be thankful, grateful for all the freedoms, liberty and joy we have here. Though we are not perfect, we are better off than most and God is going to take us to greater heights! Happy Dominion Day!

Dominion Freedom Rally, Supreme Courts of Canada Lawn, July 1, 2021

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[i] McConnel, W.H. “Constitution Act, 1867.” The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica Canada, February 6, 2006. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/constitution-act-1867.

[ii] “Domain.” Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster Incorporated. Accessed July 3, 2021. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/domain.

            [iii] “Domain.” Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster Incorporated.

[iv] “Dominate.” Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster Incorporated. Accessed July 3, 2021. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dominate#etymology.

[v] Nagy, Alison. “Cheering Confederation.” Canada's History - Arts, Culture & Society - Canada's History. Canada's History. Accessed July 3, 2021. https://www.canadashistory.ca/explore/arts-culture-society/cheering-confederation.

[vi] Bowden, J.W.J. “From Dominion Day to Canada Day: From Historical Significance To Banality.” James Bowden's Blog, July 2, 2017. https://parliamentum.org/2014/07/02/from-dominion-day-to-canada-day-from-historical-significance-to-banality/.

            [vii] Bowden, J.W.J. “From Dominion Day to Canada Day: From Historical Significance To Banality.”

            [viii] “British North America Act, 1867 - Enactment No. 1.” Department of Justice. Government of Canada, January 7,                         2015. https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/rp-pr/csj-sjc/constitution/lawreg-loireg/p1t11.html.

[ix] Is Canadian HISTORY Important for the Christian? YouTube. WorldView Endeavour, 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55F9hemmxO8.

            [x] Is Canadian HISTORY Important for the Christian? YouTube.

 

 

National Day of Prayer: Peace Be Unto Canada

 

Photograph taken by: Jason Hafso @jasonhafso

It is a sad thing when you live for over 26 years and you are just now learning about the National Day of Prayer. A time when leaders across all denominations gather together to pray for the nation. While this is more of an American tradition it is still nonetheless impactful.

 

National Days of Prayer are nothing new to the American public. Oftentimes, past presidents would call for days of prayer having roots in the celebration of Thanksgiving.¹ But for decades, American presidents and congress would issue national days of prayer, especially during the American Revolution. As Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, General George Washington acknowledged a day of "fasting, humiliation and prayer".² It was proclaimed by the Continental Congress to be held on Thursday, May 6, 1779.³ During times of crisis and peace national days of prayer would be issued on numerous occasions. However, after James Madison, the next 11 presidents (1815-1862) would not issue prayer proclamations for 47 years.⁴

 

Then in the year 1952, a war was sparked which led to the Korean War and a great man named, Billy Graham made the statement, “What a thrilling, glorious thing it would be to see the leaders of our country today kneeling before Almighty God in prayer. What a thrill would sweep this country. What renewed hope and courage would grip the Americans at this hour of peril." On April 17, 1952 President Harry S. Truman signed a bill proclaiming a National Day of Prayer must be declared for each subsequent president at an appropriate date of his choice.

 

This is all well and good history but while I admire and am thankful to our American neighbours for keeping the faith and standing their ground it reveals a lacking in our northern country. Where is Canada’s faith and vigour? When is our National Day of Prayer and why aren’t we more like our “gung-ho!” sibling and not more patriotic? We want God to move in this nation just as much!

 

Well, you are absolutely correct! Canada does have National Days of Prayer and this nation is getting a dose of FIRE from God’s glory and unlimited power from His Spirit. Canada has just as much of a rich and Godly history to our American counterparts. There were men and women who lived, sought after God and worked to found this nation! Our heritage as a nation under God is plainly visible when you walk through our Parliamentary buildings. The Word of God is clearly carved on The Peace Tower, Canada’s Coat of Arms and throughout Parliament Hill.

Our current state, which has been manipulated by Darwinian evolution, humanism, and intolerance to Christianity in this country would have you believe otherwise.⁵ These doctrines of demons would have you believe that this country has always been “tolerant”, “open” and “multi-cultural”. Well, it’s time to sit down for a quick history lesson! Because this couldn’t be farther from the truth.

*Image to the right photographed by: Andy Holmes

 

From the time of Jacques Cartier to Sir John A. MacDonald to the late 1960’s there has been a strong presence of God in Canada and her history.⁶ We have always been regarded as a “Christian nation” strongly tied to the Church of England and devoted to the teaching of God’s Word.⁷ The Peace Tower or Tower of Victory and Peace is that lovely clock tower that stands on the Centre Block of the Canadian Parliament buildings. It was built after WW1 and designed by architect, John A. Pearson. Pearson turned to the Bible to leave a legacy for future generations who might have to endure war. And today these scriptures still stand though the war looks a little different. Over 25 scriptures can be found within the tower, Centre Block and Parliament Hill. They can be found on concrete, stained glass windows and various other places.

 

One of the most prominent passages on the Peace Tower is Psalm 72:8. This verse is also featured on our Canadian Coat of Arms. It reads, “He (God)  shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.” This was the verse that first inspired our Fathers of Confederation to name our nation The Dominion of Canada. This was the verse that led Sir Samuel Leonard Tilley, Premier of New Brunswick (one of the Fathers of Confederation) to tell the other 33 fathers that “dominion” would be the term to describe Canada.⁸ It was in Charlottetown of 1867 where these gentlemen came together to discuss and draft the terms of the British North America Act. They agreed that Canada should be a nation under God and was inspired to name the new nation “Dominion of Canada” (and not the suggested name United Canada). They were all in agreement and to this day the following words hang in the corridor in the Chamber in Province House: “In the hearts of the delegates who assembled in this room on September 1, 1864, was born the Dominion of Canada. Providence being their guide they builded better then they knew.”⁹

 

The idea of sovereign rule being unto God and NOT MAN is at the root of our celebrations of July 1st, Dominion Day, which was to recognize the sovereignty of God over our nation.¹⁰ However, this was overturned in 1983 in the passing of a private members’ bill that proposed changing the name to “Canada Day” with only twelve Members of Parliament present.¹¹ This is the kind of nonsense that tries to eradicate Canada’s true history. Her true foundation and purpose of being a nation that recognizes the supremacy of God and rule of the Law.

 

So with this in mind, we will pray. We will pray together on this special National Day of Prayer for our nation, Canada. Just like in 1533, Jacques Cartier sailed up the St. Lawrence River to Montréal. To commemorate the founding of Montréal, Cartier wrote in his diary “…we all kneeled down in the company of the Indians and with our hands raised toward heaven yielded our thanks to God”.¹²

 

Photograph taken by: Andrew Ly @nineteen

I asked the Lord what He wanted us to pray. There are so many things we often get distracted by and we tend to lose sight of what the Father has on His heart. With the help of Holy Spirit I was given this verse “And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 (AMP).

 

I will be completely honest. I was really hoping for a verse that would have… how shall I say it? Gumption? or perhaps Christian fierceness? I kind of blinked, and was confused with regards to this verse that describes peace. I asked the Holy Spirit, “Are you sure? I feel as though we need to pray for things like COURAGE and BOLDNESS! Maybe even a fiery spirit  to start storming that capital! (Ha, ha) or something to that degree. But the answer was “no”. He said I should pray for peace.

 

I looked up the ancient Hebrew word for peace because sometimes our Western understanding doesn’t capture what the Biblical authors were trying to write. We often think of peace in abstract terms like oh, a nice fluffy feeling that keeps you from being in a state of stress or anxiety. Correct? WRONG. Now many of you have probably already guessed the Hebrew word for peace is shalom. Oftentimes Jewish people will use this like our Western, “hello” and sometimes as “good-bye” as well.

 

The real root word of shalom is shalam and it is used in the verse below:¹³

When one man's ox hurts another's, so that it dies, then they shall sell the live ox and divide the price of it; and the dead beast also they shall divide. Or if it is known that the ox has been accustomed to gore in the past, and its owner has not kept it in, he shall pay ox for ox, and the dead beast shall be his. (Exodus 21:35,36, RSV)

This passage uses shalam to express the idea of "replacing" or "restoring" one dead ox for a live one because of negligence.¹⁴ The verb shalam literally means "to make whole".¹⁵ The word shalom has the same basic meaning but in the noun form as can be seen in the following verse.¹⁶

They said, "Your servant our father is well, he is still alive." And they bowed their heads and made obeisance". (Genesis 43:28, RSV)

In this passage the word "well" implies "wholeness" of the person in health and prosperity.¹⁷

So, when Jews greet one another using “shalom” they aren’t just saying hello but declaring complete wholeness on that person.¹⁸ I believe God wants us to agree together for peace. The perfect peace of Jesus so that our hearts and minds be guarded from things that would try to unsettle us. That we pray for and ask for “wholeness” over our nation which has been fragmented. It’s history, it’s laws, it’s people have been fragmented by evil dark agendas that have sought to separate us from the sovereignty of God.

So, let us pray:

Father God, holy is your name. We come together, united and in agreement with one another in prayer. We ask for shalom, your perfect peace. A peace that was given to us by your Son Jesus.

Just as Daniel made supplication to his nation Israel we make supplication for our nation Canada. “To the Lord our God, belong mercy and loving-kindness and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against Him.” (Daniel 9:9 AMP). Father, we seek your forgiveness for this nation which has rebelled against you. It has taken you out of our government, out of our businesses, out of our schools, out of even our churches. We repent and change our ways and invite you once again like our Fathers of Confederation that you reign sovereign over our nation once again. We ask that you reign sovereign over all areas of influence, be it government, business, education and media.

We want Your Ways here in Canada. We ask that you have dominion here from east to west, to our Great Lakes and the ends of the earth. We welcome you here and ask for your shalom. Make our nation whole once again. For decades the enemy has chipped away at Canada. He has perverted her ways, erased our history and marred our laws that were founded on You. But we do not tolerate this evil anymore. We agree together and declare that any influence from Hell, any evil, dark agendas, plans, plots, ploys, influences and promotions of the enemy and his cohorts are bound in the Name of Jesus. We declare that this darkness be exposed across all of our nation and the ties that have held Canada bound and separated from You Father. We cut and sever those ties in the Name of Jesus.

We thank you for all that you have done. We thank you for all that you are doing. A we thank you for what will come to pass. We thank you for your Shalom that you make this nation whole once again.

Thank you, Father, for hearing our prayers and we believe and thank you for Perfect Peace over our Dominion of Canada. Amen.

Endnotes

1. Davis, Derek H. Religion and the Continental Congress: 1774-1789 ... Google Books. Oxford University Press, 2000. https://books.google.ca/books?id=9es9WWz8Ac8C&pg=PA83&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false. Pg. 83-84.

2. Washington, George. He Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources. Edited by John C. Fitzpatrick. Google Books 14. Vol. 14. Washington: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1779. https://books.google.ca/books?id=1ec7AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA369&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false. 

3. Hazard, Samuel. Collection of original documents from Pennsylvania Archives. 1874. Oxford University Collections, https://archive.org/details/pennsylvaniaarh00assegoog/page/n134/mode/2up?q=131. Pg. 131.

4. “Proclamations (Washington 1789 - Trump 2018).” 10 Proclamations (Washington 1789 - Trump 2018) | The American Presidency Project. American Presidency Project, June 18, 2021. https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/presidential-documents-archive-guidebook/proclamations-washington-1789-trump-2018. 

5. Martins, Steven. “The Peace Tower, Parliament, and Christian Canada.” Ezra Institute. Ezra Institute for Contemporary Christianity, September 1, 2015. https://www.ezrainstitute.ca/resource-library/articles/the-peace-tower-parliament-and-christian-canada/. 

6. Martins, “The Peace Tower, Parliament, and Christian Canada.”

7. Martins, “The Peace Tower, Parliament, and Christian Canada.”

8. Waite, P.B., and Carolyn Harris. “Sir Samuel Leonard Tilley.” Sir Samuel Leonard Tilley | The Canadian Encyclopedia. The Canadian Encyclopedia. Accessed June 30, 2021. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/sir-samuel-leonard-tilley. 

9. CCHeritage.ca. “CCHeritage - The Facts Library.” Canada's Christian Heritage Web Site. CC Heritage. Accessed June 30, 2021. http://www.ccheritage.ca/facts/. 

10. Martins, “The Peace Tower, Parliament, and Christian Canada.”

11. Martins, “The Peace Tower, Parliament, and Christian Canada.”

12. CCHeritage.ca. “CCHeritage - The Facts Library.”

13. Benner, Jeff A. “Hebrew Word Definition: Peace: AHRC.” Hebrew Word Definition: Peace | AHRC. Ancient Hebrew Research Center. Accessed June 30, 2021. https://www.ancient-hebrew.org/definition/peace.htm. 

14. Benner, Jeff A. “Hebrew Word Definition: Peace: AHRC.”

15. Benner, Jeff A. “Hebrew Word Definition: Peace: AHRC.”

16. Benner, Jeff A. “Hebrew Word Definition: Peace: AHRC.”

17. Benner, Jeff A. “Hebrew Word Definition: Peace: AHRC.”

18. Benner, Jeff A. “Hebrew Word Definition: Peace: AHRC.”