After Jacob (rechristened Israel),finds favor in the eyes of Esau, his brother goes to Seir while he continues to Succoth and arrives at Shalem, a city in Shechem in the land of Canaan, which was promised by God to be given to Abraham and his seed (Genesis 12, 15, 17). Before the city of Shechem, at Padanaram, he pitches his tent and also engages in trade to buy a parcel of land from Hamor, Shechem’s father for a price.
While these place names – Shalem, a city in Shechem, are given to inform us of place names in Israel’s journey en route to Canaan, it is interesting to note the meanings of the names of these places. Shalem is a variant of Shalom meaning peace in Hebrew. Shechem, possibly named so, after the name of Hamor’s son, means “ridge/neck” or “(ridge/neck between the) shoulders” in Hebrew (Genesis 21:14, 24:45).
Armed with these meanings, what starts to formulate is a picture of peace on the ridge of the shoulder. It brings to my mind the picture of the lost sheep now peacefully resting on the shoulders of the good shepherd (Luke 15:3-7).
Points to ponder:
Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd (John 10:11,14). He seeks those who are lost (away from God in the clutches of death), finds them, and places them on the ridge of His shoulder (Luke 15:3-7). On His shoulders, one can find peace (Shalem) for He is the Prince of Peace, knowing that He is in control and the government (rule) is upon his shoulders (Shechem) (Isaiah 9:6).
Are you resting on the shoulders of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, meaning have you believed in Him or are you still lost – away from God? In Jesus’ Shechem (shoulder) can one truly find true Shalem (peace); no other place.
Exodus 33:17-20 (KJV)
17 And Jacob journeyed to Succoth, and built him an house, and made booths for his cattle: therefore the name of the place is called Succoth.
18 And Jacob came to Shalem, a city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, when he came from Padanaram; and pitched his tent before the city.
19 And he bought a parcel of a field, where he had spread his tent, at the hand of the children of Hamor, Shechem’s father, for an hundred pieces of money.
John 10:11,14 (KJV)
11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
…
14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
Luke 15: 3-7 (KJV)
3 And he (Jesus) spake this parable unto them, saying,
4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
Isaiah 9:6 (KJV)
6 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, The Prince of Peace.
