The shield of Faith described by the Apostle Paul in Epehsians 6 was interesting enough to warrant more discussion. First of all, this Roman shield was the size of a door. It was large and wide, made up of up to 6 layers of animal skins, making it tough and durable.
Every morning the Roman soldier would get up and oil his shield, keeping the shield well oiled, kept it from cracking. Before going into battle, the soldier would soak the shield in water.
The enemy would use arrows that were hollow inside, but contained inflamable solution that would explode on impact. The soaking wet shield would douse all flames when they hit the shield, thus creating a solid field around the soldiers. The soldiers would advance in what was known as the 'turtle formation'. Like a turtle, slowly creeping forward, with shields locked in place, you have an early tank, imprenatable, and solid. With the sandals with their exceptional grip (studded bottoms) these soldiers were well able to stand against any enemy, with a solid footing. (Read my blog on the sandals - "Devil Stomping")
What an awesome image for Christians! Feet shod, imovable, shields soaked in the water of the word. In Epehsians 5 we see the image of the word soaking the believer. The shield of faith is also oiled daily in the Holy Spirit, thus preparing the believer for any attack!
Have you soaked in the word today?
Friday, August 29, 2008
Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,Eph 6:15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace
The shoes of peace. Peace is a wonderful Greek word "eirene" meaning prosperity. The shoes of a Roman soldier were fascinating. These were great shoes, made of steel bottoms and leather straps that tied the shoe to your foot tightly. The calves were covered in 'greaves', something similar to shin guards used by soccer players today. The shin guards protected your shins from the environment, and from the enemy kicking you.
The bottom of the shoe had steel spikes which served two purposes. One, in battle the soldier was inmovable. He was pinned to the ground and could not be moved by the enemy. Interstingy we are told through this metaphor that we too should be pinned to the Word of God. Grounded in the Word, rock solid, immovable by our enviroment or situation!The second purpose was in the way these soldiers marched. It was a high stepping, ground stomping march. Everything and everyone who got in the way were destroyed by the feet fo the soldiers. If a Roman legion was marching down the street, everyone had to get out of the way and quickly, or be destroyed by the shoes.
This was an intimidation techniques that as you can imagine put the fear into most enemies.Paul is instructed us to put the fear of God into our situation with our feet grounded in the word, and prosperity strapped on tight! March into every situation with the Peace of God strapped on tightly. You will not be moved if you are grounded in the Word.
Have a devil stomping day!!
The shoes of peace. Peace is a wonderful Greek word "eirene" meaning prosperity. The shoes of a Roman soldier were fascinating. These were great shoes, made of steel bottoms and leather straps that tied the shoe to your foot tightly. The calves were covered in 'greaves', something similar to shin guards used by soccer players today. The shin guards protected your shins from the environment, and from the enemy kicking you.
The bottom of the shoe had steel spikes which served two purposes. One, in battle the soldier was inmovable. He was pinned to the ground and could not be moved by the enemy. Interstingy we are told through this metaphor that we too should be pinned to the Word of God. Grounded in the Word, rock solid, immovable by our enviroment or situation!The second purpose was in the way these soldiers marched. It was a high stepping, ground stomping march. Everything and everyone who got in the way were destroyed by the feet fo the soldiers. If a Roman legion was marching down the street, everyone had to get out of the way and quickly, or be destroyed by the shoes.
This was an intimidation techniques that as you can imagine put the fear into most enemies.Paul is instructed us to put the fear of God into our situation with our feet grounded in the word, and prosperity strapped on tight! March into every situation with the Peace of God strapped on tightly. You will not be moved if you are grounded in the Word.
Have a devil stomping day!!
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