Peace like a River - 2

Here is another Bible verse that compares to ‘peace’ like a river. Isaiah 66:12 For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river,

I have been noticing that word ‘like’. A person might say to me, you eat like a ‘horse’.
That statement, however, doesn’t make me a ‘horse’. I may have one characteristic similar to a horse but that doesn’t make me altogether a ‘horse’.

I somehow get the impression that the analogy of peace to river may relate, at least in part, to the aspect of ‘peace’ being ‘ongoing’. God’s peace is not just a ‘once in a lifetime’ experience. God’s plan is for His ‘peace’ to keep flowing. A river becomes a lake if it ceases to ‘flow’. And if a river stops long enough if can become a ‘marsh’, ‘bog’ or ‘swamp’. In this analogy could it be that one particular aspect of God’s kind of peace is its ‘motion’? If the motion of peace ceases does it cease to be ‘real’ peace?

Does this word picture of peace also extend to an ‘ebb’ and ‘flow’ or ‘rise’ and ‘fall’ like many rivers do? Does a person experience more peace either in quantity or quality at certain times or in certain experiences than at other times or circumstances?

Another analogy that I think may also be applicable here is the effects of a river. Especially in older times the majority of populations lived near bodies of water. The rivers were major lines of transportation. Many rivers were sources of water for irrigation to grow food crops. Today with air transport and the improved network of land roads we sometimes forget of the importance placed on rivers in previous ages of this earth.

In comparison between a ‘good’ river and ‘true’ peace consider these possible parallels.

River Peace
A river is water in controlled motion Genuine peace is best shared within bounds

A river nourishes and sustains True peace positively affects those around

A flowing river can transport ‘boats’ Peaceful exchanges can transport truth

A river affects the ‘weather’ Peace affects a person’s atmosphere

A river affects ‘lifestyle’ Peace affects a person’s lifestyle


I’m sure there are more comparisons. Feel free to share your thoughts.

Bringer of Peace