Armour of God - Roman or Priestly?
The Armor of God: Uncovering the Priestly Truth Behind the Biblical Armor
Introduction
The passage in Ephesians 6:10-18 emphasizes the vital need to tap into God’s immense power and strength to resist evil. It’s not about our ability to put on the armor, but rather understanding and utilizing it as God intended. The focus should be on the armor’s functional purpose, not its physical appearance. Notably, the Armor of God is precisely that – God’s own armor, worn by Him and shared with believers. This distinction reveals a profound priestly origin, often obscured by cultural influences and misconceptions, which this exploration aims to clarify.
The Misconception of Roman Armor
The conventional image of the Armor of God, modeled after a Roman soldier, misrepresents Paul’s original intent. Instead, his reference in Ephesians 6:10-18 draws from ancient Hebraic armor, symbolizing a heavenly and priestly nation. Paul’s inspiration came from the Old Testament, where God Himself is depicted wearing this armor (Isaiah 59:16-17, 11:4-5, Exodus 28:1-4, Numbers 31:6, Isaiah 52:1, Psalm 132:9, 28:7, and Isaiah 61:10, which ultimately points to Salvation through Yeshua). Additional New Testament references, such as 1 Peter 2:9-10 and Revelation 3:4, reinforce this connection. By exploring the Armor’s Old Testament roots, we can uncover its profound significance and deepen our understanding of God’s divine protection.
The Priestly Garments: Understanding the Significance
The priestly garments, described in Exodus 28, held deep spiritual significance. Each item represented an aspect of God’s character and relationship with His people.
Key Differences: Roman vs. Priestly Armor
– Roman armor symbolized violence and conquest
– Priestly armor represented God’s character and relationship with His people
– Roman armor was for fighting an enemy; priestly armor is for purposefully standing in victory
- The Truth as a Belt: Leviticus 8:6-7, John 17:17 - The belt serves a practical purpose, holding up garments, and symbolizes strength, courage, and honor, highlighting the importance of truth as a foundation for our lives and commitment to God (Isa 11:5).
- Righteousness as a Breastplate: The Breastplate of Righteousness (Isa 59:17) is a spiritual counterpart to the High Priest's Breastplate (Ex 28:15-30), emphasizing the importance of living a righteous life, protected and guided by God's righteousness, and represented by Christ's righteousness.-
- The Gospel Of Peace - shod your feet: Exodus 28:32-35, Exodus 3:5 - Priests minister to God without wearing any shoes or sandals! They walk barefoot on the floors of the temple courts. However they are always ready to bring good news, proclaim peace, bring glad tidings of good things, and proclaim salvation (Isaiah 52:7).
- Faith as a Shield: Genesis 15:1, Psalm 3:1-3, 28:7, and Proverbs 30:5 all illustrate the concept of faith as a shield. In Exodus 13:21-22 and 14:19-20, we see God's shield in action. He provided a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, shielding His people from harm. Unlike the Roman shield, which offered only partial protection and was vulnerable to attacks, God's shield is impenetrable and all-encompassing. This biblical imagery highlights the comprehensive nature of God's protection, reassuring us that He shields His people from every angle, providing full and complete defense.
- Salvation as a Helmet: Exodus 28:36-41 - Holiness to the LORD. It represents the protection and security that comes from God's salvation, guarding our minds and thoughts from spiritual harm. His name shall be on the foreheads of the righteous saints (Revelation 22:4; 20:4).
- The Word Of God as a Sword: Isaiah 49:2, Hebrews 4:12, Revelation 1:16 - As a sword of the Spirit, it is wielded by God Himself, striking down the strongholds of evil and ignorance. The Word of God is an unstoppable force, slicing through the darkness and illuminating the path to eternal life.
Conclusion
Like a priest, we are not called to engage in combat (physical or spiritual) against our adversary, the Devil. Instead, we stand firm in the victory secured by Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. Although we are at war & Satan persistently assaults us, we can confidently stand against him, fortified by the impenetrable ‘wall of God’s armor‘ (Deut 20:4, Rom 8:37, 1 Pet 5:9, 1 Cor 15:57, 2 Cor 4:7). When we mistakenly believe we must fight a defeated foe, we fail to grasp our position in Christ. Let us embrace our true identity and stand firm in the triumph already secured for us.
