God's Empowering Armor - Part II

“The Armor of God is an image of a power that protects!”

Last week we began a new series entitled, "God's Empowering Armor." Obviously we are looking at the topic found in the book of Ephesians where Paul uses an interesting imagery we know as "The Armor of God." I want to first do a quick recap on what we focused on last week.

My primary focus last week was to be insightful on the importance of researching and investigating each particular piece when reading a passage of scripture. We looked at the history, culture, and religion of the ancient Ephesus. Then we discussed on of the most prolific religions that influenced so many in the Roman world, the Ephesian goddess Artemis. Then we did a quick recap on just who the Apostle Paul was.

Finally we looked at the first verse on the subject of the The Armor of God. As I said last week, it important to remember that Paul wasn't in Ephesus to start a, "new faith." He was there to teach the people about the One True God of Israel, and he in Ephesians he points out a specific value of this God of Israel. Paul started out by saying, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. [Ephesians 6:10]

Remember, Paul starts out by using three distinct Hebrew words that focus on strength, might, or power: ko'ach of Hashem - God's might or power; oz strength; gevurah - גבורה‎ - strength or might. All three of these Hebrew terms describes God's strength, His might, His power. In one simple God's Empowerment. Paul in verse 10 is referencing to the passage found in the Old Testament of Psalms 27:14, "Wait for the Lord; be strong [Chazak] and take heart and wait for the Lord."

This is important to remember in verse 10. The overall insight on the Armor of God is that God can and will be with you, to empower, to strengthen, to Protect you! However, it also teaches us that God is not going to put the Armor on you. It is your responsibility to put The Armor of God on yourself! In order to put on God's Armor, to experience his protection, you have to choose to put that Armor, that empowering protection on. How? This is where our journey begins in today's episode.

First, things first. When Paul wrote the about the Armor of God to the Ephesians, he was referring back to Isaiah 59:15-17, which states,“Truth [emet] nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil [rah] becomes a prey. The Lord looked and was displeased that there was no justice [mishpat]. Very important part to Paul teaching about the Armor of God. What Isaiah is saying here in Chapter 59, verse 15 is that when truth [emet] fails, and you depart from evil [rah] you makes yourself a prey.

Truth - emet - in Hebrew is better understood by the word Truthfulness. This is connected to what we said last week about on Ephesians 6:10 where Paul used those three Hebrew terms to describe strength or power that focus on God's mode of judging humanity; on the foundation of stringency, adherence to God's teachings. Truth, or Truthfulness can only come about when you and I take the time and make the effort to know, to grow, and to go out living God's teachings, His insight on guiding us to live a life empowered by Him. Let's look more at Isaiah 59:16-17: "He saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm achieved salvation [yashah]for him, and his own righteousness [tzedekah] sustained him. This word yashah ישע is directly connected to another word or name many of us know, Yeshuah, Jesus.

God's own arm [Zero'a] achieved salvation. God's own arm, is a symbol of power in action–the power of action is salvation.

Let's continue, in verse 17: "He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak. Isaiah was speaking of Yeshua (Jesus) and his garments as our High Priest, not as a Roman soldier. Because Isaiah never knew nor saw what a Roman soldier looked like, since he lived some 600 years before Rome even existed! And Paul is using this scripture in Isaiah as a reference to his teaching on The Armor of God.

Let's look at Ephesians 6:11, "Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes."

Putting on the Armor of God means you are taking your stand against the devils schemes. Again, this term used in Ephesians, devil, is a reference to Isaiah term evil [ra'a - רָעַע] which is not used to refer to a name of something. Its meaning in Hebrew rage, disturbance, breaking, the opposites of peaceful calm, and actions that are contrary to doing good. It refers to someone causing hurt, pain, affliction, breaking or doing harm, dishonesty, to ethical, immoral acts.

We could simplify this by saying that evil is a behavior or deed, and not a designation. If my behavior is evil [ra'a] this means that my deeds are immoral, hurtful, doing harm in some way towards others. Paul is letting the followers of God, of Christ's teachings know that we all become tempted to do these evil acts, deeds, or behaviors and that the armor of God protects us from them. How? Because putting on the full armor of God is about putting on - or adhering to - the full teachings, guidance of God's Word. Watch what Paul says next in Ephesians 6:12, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

What is Paul saying here? Your struggle against evil [ra'a] is not with other people [flesh and blood]. It is against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Sound like Paul is talking about the devil himself doesn't it. Remember, we have to see the Big Picture here, keep those blinders off.

Paul is literally saying in his Hebrew tongue, "Because we are not wrestling against basar vadahm (flesh and blood), but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of the choshech (darkness - destruction, wickedness, sorrow) of the Olam Hazeh (world), against the kokhot ruchaniyim ra'im (evil spiritual forces) in Shomayim (heavenly realms).

Paul is not speaking on some evil spiritual plain or powers, this is a very Hebraic way of describing those who are in authority that do such immoral and unethical acts. Like those in who worshiped the Ephesian version of the goddess Artemis. This religion had cult prostitutes who were the priestesses. The act of worship itself was very carnal and erotic. Paul is trying to show the people of Ephesus that this kind of worship is not acceptable to God. This kind of worship destroyed marriages, relationships of all kinds. It was also a religion whose goodness was not loving nor forgave.

Artemis worship was the complete opposite of the worship of the God of Israel. As one who followed God you found forgiveness, you found a teaching that put family, ones marriage, and the very foundation of a healthy relationship first! Yes, God judges those who do evil, however, he also affords to the a way to find forgiveness and to be rescued, through salvation.

With God, a person can know that their life, their relationships with others was protected and empowered! Paul he again is focusing on how we can change our lives and begin living a life empowered by God by learning and adhering to his teachings, to his guidance that directs us in living a healthy and prosperous life. That guidance comes from His Word.

Join me next week as we continue this series on the Armor of God and take a look at how you can persevere in life.

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