Sabbath Thought - Armor

For centuries, the tools of war were implements of hand-to-hand combat augmented with spear and bow and arrow.  Over time, military tacticians realized that if their soldiers could withstand initial blows with some type of additional protection, they would have an advantage over their enemy.

Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6:12 that we are not engaged in a physical battle, but rather a spiritual one.  While Paul was under house arrest awaiting his trial before Caesar, he was guarded by, if not chained directly to, a Roman soldier.  Paul would have become very familiar with the clothing and equipment (armor) of this soldier, and he saw parallels between that physical armor and the spiritual armor that we are to have as Christians (Ephesians 6:13-18).  Satan is presently the god (the ruler) of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4), and he will not yield defeat.  He has power for a time - power he seeks to use to thwart God's plan of salvation for mankind, power he seeks to use to devour us (1 Peter 5:8-9).  It is then, all the more imperative that we have on the right armor for the war we are engaged in.

In describing our armor, Paul first talks about a belt around our waist (Ephesians 6:14).  The Roman soldier's belt served two purposes - first to pull the loose tunic tight (just a big, loose t-shirt) around the waist for ease of movement, and second to have something from which to hang their short sword and dagger.  Our sword is God's Word (Hebrews 4:12). 

Paul next describes a breastplate.  This protects the core of the body.  The Roman breastplate was a series of overlapping metal plates, held together by leather straps.  This configuration allowed a very flexible covering while providing maximum protection with very few areas of vulnerability.  We protect our "core" with Christ's faith and love (1 Thessalonians 5:8).

Ancient armies understood that to travel any great distance, and to be steady on their feet in battle, the right footwear was essential.  The Roman boot had a double thick sole that had iron nails attached to the bottom - much like we would call a hobnail boot.  The hob-nail configuration could inflict great damage, but it would also give great traction on unsure terrain.  As we "move" forward in our calling, God is pleased to see that (Romans 10:15).

The Roman shield was made very similarly to what we call plywood covered with leather - making it very strong but comparatively light-weight.  The shield was big enough for a soldier to hide behind, yet small enough for a group of soldiers to lock them together as a mobile wall.  God is our shield in our spiritual fight (Genesis 15:1).  The faith He helps us to have allows us to overcome Satan's influence and attacks (1 John 5:4).  One of the most fearsome weapons of the day were arrows whose tips were soaked in a heavy pitch, and then lighted prior to launching.  However, the shield would allow those arrows to sink into the leather and wood, and the moisture would cut off the air, snuffing out or quenching the fire.  Thus, Paul's analogy of quenching the fiery darts.

The Roman helmet Paul was familiar with, had a long lip on the back to protect the neck from any glancing sword blows off of the helmet.  There was also a short lip above the eyes for the same purpose.  The helmet would also have cheek guards to protect the side of the face.  Our spiritual head is covered through the steadfastness of our calling (1 Thessalonians 5:8, Isaiah 59:17, Acts 4:11-12).

It is not enough to simply have the armor - this armor is to be part of us.  When we have it on its' use becomes second nature, like a trained soldier.  All of these pieces of armor are most effective when we are facing our enemy.  We cannot shy away from fighting Satan, for even if we lose our physical life we can win the war (2 Timothy 4:1-8).

How good is your armor?

I wish you a profitable and value filled Sabbath,

Dan Dowd

28 January, 2023