Bible Commentaries
Numbers 25

Verse 12

"Handfuls of Purpose"

"My covenant of peace" Num 25:12

Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, the priest, was a type of Christ. The covenant of grace is described in Isaiah 54:10 , and in Malachi 2:5 , as the covenant of peace. Peace must be the result of harmony with God. God is the God of peace. He blesses his people with peace. Speaking to his servant, he said, "My covenant was with him of life and peace." The converse of this is true; "There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked." Peace does not represent a grace so much as a virtue. Great misunderstanding prevails as to the true meaning of peace. True peace represents the highest energy, controlled and sanctified. Never represent spiritual peace by death or the grave, or by anything that is inert, or passionless. He only is at peace who in full possession of every faculty feels that there is no power in his soul that does not aspire towards God in loving obedience. Peace of this kind does not exempt from daily trial and daily sorrow. The presence of peace in the soul takes the right view of such discipline, and is sure to find stars in the darkness. The peace that is spoken of is not a temporary arrangement; it is a matter of covenant signed and sealed. The blessing of God is a covenant ordered in all things and sure. Judge spiritual progress by the depth of spiritual peace. "Perfect love casteth out fear." The great gift of Christ to the Church is a gift of peace. The apostle describes the peace of God as passing understanding, an enjoyment beyond analysis, and beyond criticism: passing understanding as flying passes walking, as the light of the sun passes all the sparks man can kindle upon earth, as the ocean passes the little rills that trickle over the surface of the earth.