FEET SHOED WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE
TAKE ON THE SHIELD OF FAITH
THERE IS NO NEED THEN FOR CHRISTIANS TO ACCOMPLISH WHAT HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE. INSTEAD WE MUST RESIST THE ATTEMPTS OF SATAN BOTH TO RETAKE TERRITORY NO LONGER HIS AND TO DEFAME CHRIST AND HIS KINGDOM BY CAUSING US TO FAIL. TO “STAND IS NEITHER STATIC NOR PASSIVE, BUT THE ACTIVE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF OUR PRESENT TASK.
THE SANDALS OF PREPARATION
IT IS INTERESTING THAT ALTHOUGH ONE MIGHT EXPECT SOLDIER’S BOOTS TO BE AT THE END OF THE LIST OF EQUIPMENT, THAT PART OF THE EQUIPMENT COMES IN THE MIDDLE OF PAUL’S LIST.
WITH OUR FEET GIRDED PROPERLY REFERS TO THE “CALIGAE”, TOUGH BUT LIGHT SANDALS, BECAUSE THE TOES WERE OPEN, THAT WENT PARTLY UP THE LEG, WITH SOLES STUDDED WITH NAILS FOR A SECURE GRIP ON THE GROUND. SOLDIERS COULD WEAR THEM IN HAND-TO-HAND COMBAT, RATHER THAN THE HEAVY BOOTS USED IN LONG MARCHES.
THE PURPOSE WAS TWO-FOLD:p TO MAINTAIN A SOLID FOOTING, AS COMMANDED, AND BE ABLE TO READY FOR ACTION.
ISAIAH 52:7: HOW BEAUTIFUL ON THE MOUNTAINS ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS, WHO PROCLAIM PEACE, WHO BRING GOOD TIDINGS, WHO PROCLAIM SALVATION, WHO SAY TO ZION, “YOUR GOD REIGNS!”
ROMANS 10:15: AND HOW CAN ANYONE PREACH UNLESS THEY ARE SENT? AS IT IS WRITTEN: “HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS!”
THE EMPHASIS IS ON READINESS FOR ACTION, WHICH IS CONSISTENT WITH THE WARFARE THEME, BUT THE KEY TERM THAT IS COMMON TO ISAIAH, ROMANS AND EPHESIANS IS GOSPEL OR “GOOD NEWS.”
THIS IS THE ONLY PLACE IN THE NEW TESTAMENT WHERE THE WORD “PREPARATION” IS USED IN THIS FORM. THE ROMAN SOLDIER SUBSTITUTED FOR THE “GREAVES” OF THE GREEK (METAL PLATES COVERING THE LOWER PART OF THE LEG) THE CALLGAE OR SANDALS, BOUND BY THONGS OVER THE INSTEP AND ROUND THE ANKLE, AND HAVING THE SOLES THICKLY STUDDED WITH NAILS.
HAVING SHOD OR HAVING BOUND UNDER, MEANS TO MAKE READY, THE READINESS OF MIND THAT COMES FROM THE GOSPEL WHOSE MESSAGE IS PEACE.
BINDING SHOES UNDER YOUR FEET, RELIABLE FOOTWEAR WAS ESSENTIAL TO FOOT SOLDIERS IN WARFARE. IT ALLOWED THEM TO ADVANCE AND ENGAGE THE ENEMY WITHOUT BEIND DETERRED BY THE TERRAIN.
FEET SHOD – ENSURING AGILITY AND A FIRM FOOTHOLD. PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE. – PREPARATION MIGHT PERHAPS GIVE WAY TO PREPAREDNESS.
FEET FITTED WITH THE READINESS PICTURES THE HOBNAILED SHOES WHICH KEPT THE SOLDIERS FOOTING SURE IN THE BATTLE. TO PUT ON THESE SHOES COULD BE UNDERSTOOD AS BELIEVING THE PROMISES OF GOD IN THE GOSPEL AND COUNTING ON THEM TO BE TRUE FOR YOU. FAITH IN THESE PROMISES YIELDS PEACE IN THE CHRISTIAN’S LIFE.
MATTHEW HENRY WRITES:
“RESOLUTION MUST BE AS THE GREAVES TO OUR LEGS: AND THEIR FEET SHOD WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE. SHOES OR GREAVES OF BRASS, OR THE LIKE, WERE FORMERLY PART OF THE MILITARY ARMOUR.
1 SAMUEL 17:6: 6 ON HIS LEGS HE WORE BRONZE GREAVES, AND A BRONZE JAVELIN WAS SLUNG ON HIS BACK.
THE USE OF THEM WAS TO DEFEND THE FEET AGAINST THE GALL-TRAPS, AND SHARP STICKS, THAT WEW WANT TO BE LAID PRIVILY IN THE WAY, TO OBSTRUCT THE MARCHING OF THE ENEMY, THOSE WHO FELL UPON THEM BEING UNFIT TO MARCH.”
WITH THIS OUR FEET MUST BE SHOD; FOR BY LIVING A LIFE OF REPENTANCE WE ARE ARMED AGAINST TEMPTATIONS TO SIN, AND THE DESIGNS OF OUR GREAT ENEMY.
DR. WHITBY THINKS THIS MAY BE THE SENSE OF THE WORDS “THAT YOU MAY BE READY FOR THE COMBAT, BE SHOD WITH THE GOSPEL OF PEACE, ENDEAVOUR AFTER THAT PEACEABLE QUIET MIND WHICH THE GOSPEL CALLS FOR. BE NOT EASILY PROVOKED, NOR PRONE TO QUARREL, BUT SHOW ALL GENTLENESS AND ALL LONG-SUFFERING TO ALL MEN, AND THIS WILL CERTAINLY PRESERVE YOU FROM MANY GREAT TEMPTATIONS AND PERSECUTIONS, AS DID THOSE SHOES OF BRASS THE SOLDIERS FROM THOSE GALLTRAPS.
IF WE ARE GOING TO “STAND” AND “WITHSTAND” THEN WE NEED THE SHOES OF THE GOSPEL. WE MUST BE AT PEACE WITH GOD AND WITH EACH OTHER IF WE ARE TO DEFEAT THE DEVIL’S SCHEMES.
JAMES 4:1-7:
WHAT CAUSES FIGHTS AND QUARRELS AMONG YOU? DON’T THEY COME FROM YOUR DESIRES THAT BATTLE WITHIN YOU? 2 YOU DESIRE BUT DO NOT HAVE, SO YOU KILL. YOU COVET BUT YOU CANNOT GET WHAT YOU WANT, SO YOU QUARREL AND FIGHT. YOU DO NOT HAVE BECAUSE YOU DO NOT ASK GOD. 3 WHEN YOU ASK, YOU DO NOT RECEIVE, BECAUSE YOU ASK WITH WRONG MOTIVES, THAT YOU MAY SPEND WHAT YOU GET ON YOUR PLEASURES 4 YOU ADULTEROUS PEOPLE, DON’T YOU KNOW THAT FRIENDSHIP WITH THE WORLD MEANS ENMITY AGAINST GOD? THEREFORE, ANYONE WHO CHOOSES TO BE A FRIEND OF THE WORLD BECOMES AN ENEMY OF GOD. 5 OR DO YOU THINK SCRIPTURE SAYS WITHOUT REASON THAT HE JEALOUSLY LONGS FOR THE SPIRIT HE HAS CAUSED TO DWELL IN US? 6 BUT HE GIVES US MORE GRACE. THAT IS WHY SCRIPTURE SAYS: “GOD OPPOSES THE PROUD BUT SHOWS FAVOR TO THE HUMBLE.” 7 SUBMIT YOURSELVES, THEN, TO GOD. RESIST THE DEVIL, AND HE WILL FLEE FROM YOU.
THE SHOES HAVE ANOTHER MEANING. WE MUST BE PREPARED EACH DAY TO SHARE THE GOSPEL OF PEACE WITH A LOST WORLD. THE MOST VICTORIOUS CHRISTIAN IS A WITNESSING ONE. IF WE WEAR THE SHOES OF THE GOSPEL, THEN WE HAVE THE “BEAUTIFUL FEET OF ISAIAH 52:7 AND ROMANS 10:15. SATAN HAS DECLARED WAR, BUT YOU AND I ARE AMBASSADORS OF PEACE
2 CORINTHIANS 5:18-21:
18 ALL THIS IS FROM GOD, WHO RECONCILED US TO HIMSELF THROUGH CHRIST AND GAVE US THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION: 19 THAT GOD WAS RECONCILING THE WORLD TO HIMSELF IN CHRIST, NOT COUNTING PEOPLE’S SINS AGAINST THEM. AND HE HAS COMMITTED TO US THE MESSAGE OF RECONCILIATION. 20 WE ARE THEREFORE CHRIST’S AMBASSADORS, AS THOUGH GOD WERE MAKING HIS APPEAL THROUGH US. WE IMPLORE YOU ON CHRIST’S BEHALF: BE RECONCILED TO GOD. 21 GOD MADE HIM WHO HAD NO SIN TO BE SIN FOR US, SO THAT IN HIM WE MIGHT BECOME THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD.
AND, AS SUCH, WE TAKE THE GOSPEL OF PEACE WHEREVER WE GO.
“PREPARATION” MIGHT PERHAPS GIVE WAY TO “PREPAREDNESS” PREPARATION HAS THE IDEA OF READINESS, EAGERNESS. ONE MIGHT THINK IT STRANGE TO CONDUCT WAR BY TAKING NEWS OF PEACE, BUT THIS IS NOT A NATURAL WARFARE. DECLARING TO THOSE UNDER SATAN’S DOMINATION THAT GOD HAS MADE A WAY FOR THEM IN CHRIST, TO BE AT PEACE WITH HIM IS A POWERFUL ATTACK ON HIS STRONGHOLD.
SOME HAVE SUGGESTED THAT “PREPARATION” HERE, HAS THE SENSE OF A PREPARED FOUNDATION FOR THE SOLDIER HIMSELF TO STAND ON. IN THAT CASE PAUL’S MEANING IS THAT THE GOSPEL, FULLY ACCEPTED, GIVES A PEACE THAT IS ITSELF PART OF THE DEFENSE OF THE CHRISTIAN, A PEACE THAT ANCHORS HIS SOUL AND PROVIDES HIM WITH STABILITY TO RESIST SATAN.
THE QUESTION HERE IS THE MEANING OF “PREPARATION”. THE “GOSPEL” IS DEFINED AS THE GOSPEL OF PEACE. WHAT IS IT TO BE SHOD WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL?
ONE ANSWER IS THAT OTHER’S UNDERSTAND THE WORD AS MEANING “STABILITY” OR “FIRM FOOTING” A SENSE SOMETIMES FOUND IN THE OLD TESTAMENT. IN PASSAGES LIKE DAN. 11:7 EZEKIEL 2:6; 3:3; AND OTHERS, THE WORD MEANS “FOUNDATION” IR “BASE”. IT DOES NOT APPEAR ELSEWHERE IN THE NEW TESTAMENT.
“READINESS” HERE MEANS, READINESS NOT TO PREACH THE GOSPEL, BUT READINESS OR PREPAREDNESS FOR THE CONFLICT. THE WORD MUST BE TAKEN AS PART OF THE GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE EQUIPMENT OF THE SOLDIER. HE IS TO PUT ON THE VARIOUS PARTS OF THE ARMOR AND BE PREPARED OR READY FOR THE BATTLE.
THE GOOD NEWS OF CHRIST GIVES PEACE. SO, TAKING THE WHOLE CLAUSE, WE MAY PARAPHRASE IT BY SAYING THAT THE PREPAREDNESS OF SPIRIT, THE ALACRITY WHICH COMES FROM THE POSSESSION OF A GOSPEL THAT SHEDS A CALM OVER THE HEART AND BRINGS A MAN INTO PEACE WITH GOD, IS WHAT THE APOSTLE THINKS IS LIKE THE HEAVY HOB-NAILED BOOTS THAT THE LEGIONAIRES WORE, BY WHICH THEY COULD STAND FIRM, WHATEVER CAME AGAINST THEM.
ROMANS 5:1: THEREFORE, SINCE WE HAVE BEEN JUSTIFIED THROUGH FAITH, WE HAVE PEACE WITH GOD THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST,
FIRST NOTE THAT THE GOSPEL BRINGS PEACE. IN PAUL’S THOUGHT, THE ONE POWER WHICH BRINGS A MAN INTO HARMONY WITH THE UNIVERSE AND TO PEACE WITH HIMSELF, IS THE POWER THAT PROCLAIMS THAT GOD IS AT PEACE WITH HIM. AND JESUS IS OUR PEACE, BECAUSE HE HAS SWEPT AWAY THE ROOT AND BITTER FOUNTAIN OF ALL THE DISQUIET OF MEN’S HEARTS, AND ALL THEIR CHAFING AT PROVIDENCES – THE CONSCIOUSNESS THAT THERE IS DISCORD BETWEEN THEMSELVES AND GOD.
THE GOSPEL BRINGS PEACE IN THE DEEPEST SENSE OF THAT WORD, AND , PRIMARILY PEACE WITH GOD, FROM OUT OF WHICH ALL OTHER KIND OF TRANQUILITY AND HEART REPOSE DO COEM – AND THEY COME FROM NOTHING BESIDES.
REMEMBER IF WE ARE AT PEACE WITH GOD, WE ARE WARRING WITH THE DEVIL, AND IF WE ARE AT PEACE WITH THE DEVIL, THEN WE ARE WARRING WITH GOD.
THE PEACE THAT COMES FROM FRIENDSHIP WITH HIM, THE PEACE THAT FILLS A HEART TRANQUIL BECAUSE SATISFIED, THE PEACE THAT SOOTHES A CONSCIENCE EMPTIED OF ALL POISON AND ROBBED OF ALL ITS STING, THE PEACE THAT ABIDES BECAUSE, ON ALL THE HORIZON IN FRONT OF US NOTHING CAN BE SEEN THAT WE NEED TO BE AFRAID OF – THAT PEACE IS THE PEACE WHICH THE GOSPEL BRINGS, AND IT IS REALIZED IN WARFARE AND IS CONSISTENT WITH IT.
SECOND: THE GOSPEL OF PEACE WILL PREPARE US FOR THE MARCH.
A WISE GENERAL LOOKS AFTER HIS SOLDIER’S BOOTS. A TRANQUIL HEART IN AMITY WITH GOD IS READY FOR ALL THE ROAD, IS LIKELY TO MAKE PROGRESS, AND IS FIT FOR ANYTHING THAT IT MAY BE CALLED TO DO.
A CALM HEART MAKES A LIGHT FOOT, AND HE WHO IS LIVING AT PEACE WITH GOD, AND WITH ALL DISTURBANCE WITHIN HUSHED TO REST, WILL BE ABLE TO SEE HIS DUTY.
THE QUIET HEART WILL BE ABLE TO FLING ITS WHOLE STRENGTH INTO ITS WORK. AND THAT IS WHAT TROUBLED HEARTS NEVER CAN DO, FOR HALF THEIR ENERGY IS TAKEN UP IN STEADYING OR QUIETING THEMSELVES, OR IS DISSIPATED IN GOING AFTER A HUNDRED OTHER THINGS.
DUTY THAT IS DONE RELUCTANTLY, WITH HESITATION, IS NOT DONE. WE MUST FLING OURSELVES INTO THE WORK GLADLY AND BE ALWAYS ‘READY FOR ALL THY PERFECT WILL.’ A QUIET HEART MAKES US READY FOR DUTY.
THIRD: THE GOSPEL OF PEACE PREPARES US FOR COMBAT.
IN ANCIENT WARFARE BATTLES WERE LOST OR WON LARGELY ACCORDING TO THE WEIGHT OF THE MASSES OF MEN THAT WERE HURLED AGAINST EACH OTHER. THE HEAVIER MEN, WITH THE FIRMER FOOTING, WERE LIKELY TO BE THE VICTORS.
FIGHTING DONE DURING THIS DAY REQUIRED THE SOLDIER TO BE ABLE TO WITHSTAND THE ONSLOUGHT OF THE ENEMY.
FOR GOOD FOOTING TWO THINGS WERE NECESSARY. ONE IS A GOOD SOLID PIECE OF GROUND TO STAND ON, THAT IS NOT SLIPPERY OR MUDDY. THE OTHER IS A GOOD STRONG PAIR OF SOLDIER’S BOOTS, THAT WILL TAKE HOLD OF THE GROUND AND HELP THE WEARER TO STEADY HIMSELF.
THERE WILL BE NO TEMPTATION WHEN THE HEART IS FULL OF HIM, AND THERE WILL BE NO SENSE OF SURRENDERING ANYTHING THAT WE WISH TO KEEP WHEN THE SUPERIOR SWEETNESS OF HIS GRACE FILLS OUR SOULS. IT IS EMPTY VESSELS INTO WHICH POISON CAN BE POURED. IF THE VESSEL IS FULL THERE IS NO ROOM FOR IT.
IT IS WELL TO RESIST TEMPTATION: IT IS BETTER TO BE LIFTED ABOVE IT, SO THAT IT CEASES TO TEMPT. AND THE ONE WAY TO SECURE THAT IS TO LIVE NEAR JESUS CHRIST, AND LET THE GOSPEL OF HIS GRACE TAKE UP MORE OF OUR THOUGHTS AND MORE OF OUR AFFECTIONS THAN IT HAS DONE IN THE PAST. THEN WE SHALL REALISE THE FULFILLMENT OF THE PROMISE, “HE WILL NOT SUFFER THY FOOT TO BE MOVED.”
NOTE CHRIST IS THE SHOES THAT WE WEAR. CHRIST IS OUR PEACE. HE IS THE SOURCE OF OUR CALMNESS, AND SENSE OF WELL-BEING.
THE SHIELD OF FAITH:
A PIECE OF DEFENSIVE ARMOR IS NEEDED OVER ALL THE REST, THAT WE MAY BE ABLE TO STAND OVER IN SPITE OF THE WILES OF THE ENEMY – AN ARMOR, HOWEVER, WHICH IS PRACTICALLY MAINTAINED IN ITS SOUNDNESS BY THE USE OF THE PRECEDING ONES, SO THAT, IF THE LATTER IS ESSENTIAL, THE OTHERS HAVE THE FIRST PLACE IN PRACTICE.\\THIS IS THE SHIELD, FAITH; THAT IS TO SAY, FULL AND ENTIRE TRUST IN GOD, THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF GRACE AND HIS FAVOR MAINTAINED IN THE HEART. HERE FAITH IS THE PRESENT ASSURANCE OF THE HEART WITH REGARD TO THAT WHICH GOD IS FOR US, FOUNDED, ON THE TESTIMONY WHICH HE HAS GIVEN OF HIMSELF – TRUST IN HIS LOVE AND IN HIS FAITHFULNESS, AS WELL AS IN HIS POWER.
WHEN IT EXISTS, ALL OF THE ATTACKS OF THE ENEMY, WHO SEEKS TO MAKE US BELIEVE THAT THE GOODNESS OF GOD IS NOT SO SURE – ALL HIS EFFORTS TO DESTROY OR TO WEAKEN IN OUR HEARTS THIS CONFIDENCE IN GOD AND TO HIDE HIM FROM US, PROVE FRUITLESS.
THE FIERY DARTS OF THE ENEMY ARE NOT THE DESIRES OF THE FLESH, BUT SPIRITUAL ATTACKS.
THERE ARE THINGS IN US ALL TO WHICH THE FIERY DARTS DO ESPECIALLY APPEAL: DESIRES, APPETITES, PASSIONS, LUSTS – WHICH WAR AGAINST THE SOUL, AND WHICH NEED ONLY A TOUCH OF FIRE TO FLARE UP LIKE A TAR-BARREL, IN THICK FOUL SMOKE DARKENING THE HEAVENS.
THERE ARE OTHER FIERY DARTS AS WELL. THERE ARE PLENTY OF OTHER DESIRES WITHIN US: WISHES, COWARDICES, WEAKNESSES OF ALL SORTS, THAT, ONCE TOUCHED WITH THE DEVILS DART, WILL BURN FIERCELY.
THERE IS ALSO THE CHARACTERISTIC OF SUDDENNESS. THE DART COMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE ARROW IS INVISIBLE UNTIL IT IS BURIED IN THE MAN’S BREAST. THE MOST DANGEROUS OF OUR TEMPTATIONS ARE THOSE THAT ARE SPRUNG UPON US UNAWARES.
CONSIDER NOW THE DEFENCE, THE SHIELD OF FAITH:
MY FAITH IS NOTHING EXCEPT FOR WHAT IT PUTS IN FRONT OF ME, AND IT IS GOD WHO IS TRULY MY SHIELD; MY FAITH IS ONLY CALLED A SHIELD, BECAUSE IT BRINGS ME BEHIND THE BOSSES OF THE ALMIGHTY’S BUCKLE, AGAINST WHICH NO MAN CAN RUN A TILT, OR INTO WHICH NO MAN CAN STRIKE HIS LANCE; NOR ANY DEVIL EITHER. GOD IS A DEFENCE AND MY TRUST, WHICH IS NOTHING IN ITSELF, IS EVERYTHING BECAUSE OF THAT WITH WHICH IT BRINGS ME INTO CONNECTION. FAITH IS THE CONDITION, AND THE ONLY CONDITION, OF GOD’S POWER FLOWING INTO ME, AND WORKING IN ME.
MY FAITH IS A SHIELD ONLY WHEN IT GRASPS GOD WHO IS THE SHIELD. MY FAITH WILL QUENCH, AS NOTHING ELSE WILL, THESE SUDDEN IMPULSES OF FIERY DESIRES, BECAUSE MY FAITH BRINGS ME INTO THE CONSCIOUS PRESENCE OF GOD, AND OF THE UNSEEN REALITIES WHERE HE DWELLS.
FAITH DRAWS BACK THE CURTAIN WHICH SCREENS OFF THAT UNSEEN WORLD FROM SO MANY OF US, AND LETS IN THE LIGHT THAT SHINES DOWN FROM ABOVE AND SHOWS US THAT WE ARE COMPASSED ABOUT BY A CLOUD OF WITNESSES, AND THE CAPTAIN OF OUR SALVATION IN THE MIDST OF THEM. NO TEMPTATION CONTINUES TO FLAME WHEN WE SEE GOD.
IF A MAN IS WALKING IN THE LIGHT OF THE GREAT PROMISES OF HEAVEN, AND THE GREAT THREATENINGS OF A HELL, HE WILL NOT BE IN MUCH DANGER OF BEING SET ON FIRE, EVEN BY “THE FIREY DARTS OF THE WICKED.”
HE THAT RECEIVES INTO HIS HEART GOD’S STRENGTH, HE THAT BY FAITH IS CONSCIOUS OF THE DIVINE PRESENCE IN COMMUNION WITH HIM, HE THAT BY FAITH WALKS IN THE LIGHT OF ETERNAL RETRIBUTION, WILL TRIUMPH OVER THE MOST SUDDEN, THE SHARPEST, AND THE MOST FIREY OF THE DARTS THAT CAN BE LAUNCHED AT HIM.
TAKING THE SHIELD IS SOMETHING THAT MUST BE DONE IN ORDER TO GET THE BENEFIT OF THE DEFENCE. THERE IS EFFORT NEEDED TO EXERCISE FAITH FOR SANCTIFYING, AND ENERGY MUST BE PUT FORTH IN ORDER THAT A MAN MAY KEEP HIMSELF IN THE ATTITUDE OF DEPENDANCE. TRUST WILL ALWAYS LEAD TO ACTION.
THE EDGES OF THESE SHIELDS WERE SO CONSTRUCTED THAT AN ENTIRE LINE OF SOLDIERS COULD INTERLOCK SHIELDS AND MARCH INTO THE ENEMY LIKE A SOLID WALL. IT SUGGESTS THAT CHRISTIANS ARE NOT TO FIGHT THIS BATTLE ALONE.
FAITH IS A DEFENSIVE WEAPON WHICH PROTECTS US FROM SATAN’S FIERY DARTS. SATAN SHOOTS “FIERY DARTS” AT OUR HEARTS AND MINDS: LIES, BLASPHEMOUS THOUGHTS, HATEFUL THOUGHTS ABOUT OTHERS, DOUBTS, AND BURNING DESIRES FOR SIN.
IF WE DO NOT BY FAITH QUENCH THESE DARTS, THEY WILL LIGHT A FIRE WITHIN AND WE WILL DISOBEY GOD. WE NEVER KNOW WHEN SATAN WILL SHOOT A DART AT US, SO WE MUST ALWAYS WALK BY FAITH AND USE THE SHIELD OF FAITH.
THE SHIELD OF FAITH, COMES FROM THE GREEK WORD FOR DOOR, BECAUSE IT IS SHAPED LIKE A DOOR. THE SHIELD DESCRIBED IS THAT OF THE HEAVY INFANTRY, OBLONG SHIELD, FOUR BY TWO AND A HALF FEET, AND SOMETIMES CURVED ON THE INNER SIDE. IT IS MADE OF WOOD OR OF WICKER-WORK AND HELD ON THE LEFT ARM BY MEANS OF A HANDLE.
HERODOTUS SAID THAT THE PERSIANS ATTACKED THE CITADEL OF ATHENS “WITH ARROWS WHERETO PIECES OF LIGHTED TOW WERE ATTACHED, WHICH THEY SHOT AT THE BARRICADE.”
TEMPTATION IS THUS REPRESENTED AS IMPELLED FROM A DISTANCE. SATAN ATTACKS BY INDIRECTION – THROUGH GOOD THINGS FROM WHICH NO EVIL IS SUSPECTED. THERE IS A HINT OF ITS PROPAGATING POWER, ONE SIN DRAWS ANOTHER IN ITS TRACK: THE FLAME OF THE FIRE-TIPPED DART SPREADS. TEMPTATION ACTS ON SUSCEPTIBLE MATERIAL. SELF-CONFIDENCE IS COMBUSTIBLE. FAITH, IN DOING AWAY WITH DEPENDANCE ON SELF, TAKES AWAY FUEL FOR THE DART. IT CREATES SENSITIVENESS TO HOLY INFLUENCES BY WHICH THE POWER OF TEMPTATION IS NEUTRALIZED.
THESE DARTS WERE SOMETIMES ABLAZE IN ORDER TO SET FIRE TO THE ENEMIES CLOTHING OR CAMP OR HOMES JUST AS THE AMERICAN INDIANS USED TO SHOOT POISONED ARROWS.
THE SHIELD OF FAITH WAS THE SOLDIERS PRIMARY ARMOR FOR BATTLE. “SHIELD OF FAITH” MAY MEAN THE “SIELD IS FAITH”. THE BELIEVER’S PRIMARY ARMOR AGAINST THE DEVIL AND HIS SCHEMES IS TRUST IN GOD AND HIS PROMISES.
ABOVE ALL, TAKING THE SHIELD – LARGE ENOUGH TO BLOCK THE ENTRANCE TO A DOORWAY. THE LIGHTER MISSILES WERE HARMLESS AGAINST A ROOF OF THESE SHIELDS OVERLAPPED. THEY WERE OF WOOD, THICKLY COATED IN LEATHER. QUENCH THE FIREY DARTS “ARROWS DIPPED IN FLAMMABLE MATERIAL, AND SHOT OFF AFTER BEING KINDLED.
ANOTHER FORM OF SHIELD USED BY THE ROMANS WAS A SMALL ROUND SHIELD THAT THE SOLDIER USED TO DEFLECT BLOWS OF THE SWORD. TO TAKE US THIS SHIED CAN BE UNDERSTOOD AS REJECTING TEMPTATIONS TO “DOUBT, SIN, OR QUIT,” TELLING YOURSELF THE TRUTH AND CHOOSING ON THE BASIS OF THE TRUTH TO DO THE RIGHT THING.
IN THE ANCIENT FORM OF HAND-TO-HAND COMBAT DESCRIBED IN EPHESIANS 6, THE FIRST DUTY OF A LINE OF SOLDIERS STANDING SIDE-TO-SIDE AGAINST ATTACKERS – OFTEN WITH LARGE RECTANGULAR SHIELDS CLOSE TO EACH OTHER – WAS TO PREVENT AN INCURSION AGAINST THE ENEMY’S ULTIMATE TARGET. IN CHRISTIAN WARFARE, CHRIST AND HIS KINGDOM ARE THAT ULTIMATE TARGET.
SHIELD OF FAITH IS A MARVELOUS AND MUCH-QUOTED IMAGE. UNLIKE SOME PIECES OF ARMOR, WHICH ARE FASTENED IN PLACE TO GUARD ONLY CERTAIN PARTS OF THE BODY, A SHIELD CAN BE DEPLOYED AND MANEUVERED TO FEND OFF ALL MISSILES, WHEREVER THEY ARE COMING FROM AND TOWARD WHATEVER PART OF THE BODY THEY ARE HEADED.
THE NAME OF THE ONE USED HERE IS, THYREOS, WHICH COMES FROM THE GREEK WORD FOR DOOR THYRA.
MARCHING SIDE BY SIDE HOLDING UP THESE LARGE SHIELDS, SOLDIERS COULD ADVANCE ON THE ENEMY WELL PROTECTED. USED THAT WAY, THE SHIELD COULD BE AS IMPORTANT PART OF AN OFFENSIVE THRUST, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS A DEFENSIVE PEACE.
THE OLD TESTAMENT DESCRIBES GOD AS OUR SHIELD
PSALM 7:10: MY SHIELD IS GOD MOST HIGH, WHO SAVES THE UPRIGHT IN HEART.
THE FAITH THAT SAVES NOW BECOMES AN IMPLEMENT OF SPIRITUAL PROTECTION.
THE SHIELD WAS OFTEN COVERED IN LEATHER AND COULD BE PRESOAKED IN WATER TO EXTINGUISH MISSILES DIPPED IN TAR AND SET ON FIRE. WITHOUT THAT PREPARATION SHIELDS MADE OF WOOD COULD BE SET ON FIRE AND BECOME A THREAT TO THE SOLDIER. WE NEED THE SHIELD OF FAITH TO EXTINGUISH ALL THE FLAMING ARROWS OF THE EVIL ONE.
THE BREAST-PLATE SECURES THE VITALS; BUT WITH THE SHIELD WE TURN EVERY WAY. THIS IS THE VICTORY OVER THE WORLD, EVER OUR FAITH.
FAITH BY THE WAY IS TRUST, A CONFIDENT RELIANCE ON GOD AND ON WHAT HE HAS SAID. FAITH IS ALWAYS, IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, A BELIEVING RESPONSE TO THE “WORD” OF GOD.
NOTICE THAT HE DID NOT SAY THE SHIELD OF BELIEF. WE HAVE ALREADY REMINDED OURSELVES OF OUR BELIEF WHEN WE RECALL WE HAVE PUT ON THE GIRDLE OF TRUTH, AND THE BREAST-PLATE OF RIGHTOUESNESS, AND THE EQUIPMENT OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE. THAT IS OUR BELIEF IN WHAT CHRIST IS TO US.
BUT FAITH IS MORE THAN THAT. FAITH IS ACTING UPON BELIEF. FAITH IS DECISION ANDCTION AND RESOLUTION. FAITH IS SAYING “YES I BELIEVE CHRIST IN THE TRUTH. HE IS MY RIGHTEOUSNESS, HE IS MY PEACE. FAITH IS WORKING OUT THE IMPLICATIONS OF BELIEF. WHEN YOU SAY “THEREFORE” YOU MOVE FROM BELIEF TO FAITH. IT IS TAKING THE GENERAL TRUTH AND APPLYING IT TO THE SPECIFIC SITUATION SAYING “IF THIS BE TRUE, THEN THIS MUST FOLLOW.”
CHRIST IS THE TRUTH. THEREFORE I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS SUBTLE PHILOSOPHY WHICH EXALTS MAN AND MAKES GOD UNNECESSARY IN HUMAN AFFAIRS. I MUST REJECT IT.
USING THE SHIELD OF FAITH MEANS REFUSAL TO FEEL CONDEMNED OR TO FEEL GUILTY.
