The Pulpit Commentary — Hebrews — Section 418

Vera. 20, 21.-0oncluding prayer and doxology. "Now the God of peace, who brought again from the dead," etc. (vers. 20, 21). Let us notice-- I. THE GREAT BEING WBO IS HEBE ADDRESSED. "The God of peace." This title is fitly applied to the Most High. •1. He is infinitely peaceful in himself. All those elements which disturb and distress souls are entirely absent from hls nature. Pride, anger, jealousy, remorse, fear, foreboding,-these are the things which agitate and alarm us; but they have no existence in him. He is infinitely pure and perfect, and, there- fore, he is infinitely peaceful. 2. He is the Giver of peace to others. He gives peace in the conscience by means of the forgiveness of sin. "Thy sins are forgiven; ... thy faith bath saved thee; go in peace" (Luke vii. 48, 50; cf. Rom. v. 1). He gives peace in the heart by the expulsion of evil passions therefrom and the inspiration therein of holy affections. Anger, revenge, jealousy, he expels from the heart, and he awakens in it supreme love to himself and love to our fellow-men. He quickens within us con- fidence in himself, and so gives us peace as we contemplate the possibilities of our future. A calm trust in his fatherhood is an unfailing antidote to our anxieties and forebodings. "Be not anxious for your life," etc. (Matt. vi. 25-34). He gives peace in the Church. There is, perhaps, an allusion to this fact in the present application of the title to bim, The nineteenth verse suggests that there was danger of disobedience and insubordination amongst those who are addressed. And it was appropriate to remind them that God is the God of peace and the Giver of peace, and to wish for them the enjoyment of this blessing. II. THE GREAT WORK ATTRIBUTED TO HIM, " Who brought again from the dead lhe great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the eternal covenant, even our Lord Jesus." We must notice here what is said of the Lord Jesus Christ. 1. The relation which he sustains to his people. "'l'he great Shepherd of the sheep." This relationship implies (1) provision for the wants of his people. "The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want," etc. (Ps. xxiii.). (2) Direction of their way. "'l'he sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out," etc. (John x. 3, 4). (3) Protection of them from dangers and enemies. "I will save my flock, and they shall no more be a prey." "I am the good Shepherd: the _good Shep- herd giveth hia life for the sheep," etc. (John x. 11-14; cf. Ezek. xxx1v, 11-31). 2. The means by which he entered into his relationship. "Through the blood of the eternal covenant." Jesus Christ became the great Shepherd of the sheep through  414 THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. [cu. xm. 1-25,