Ephesians 6:10-18
From his prison home of two years Paul had nearly continuous contact with soldiers of the Roman Empire. As he studied them, their actions and their battle gear, Paul draws some striking comparisons between their physical armor and the Spiritual Armor that God gives us. The goal of unsheathed is to thoroughly examine each piece of the Armor of God, learn to equip ourselves with His armor anew each day and to keep our enemies exactly where they belong; out of our lives. To begin to do this lets go back in time to understand a little about the Roman army that Paul is trying to teach us.
Two hundred years before the birth of Jesus the armies of Rome were made up of citizens called up for duty each year. This was an early version of the military draft that we are familiar with today. Each man between 17 and 46 was liable for duty. No matter how effective this system may have been there was a major flaw in that there was no permanent army. These men were essentially called on as needed for individual missions; bringing the own gear, weapons and armor. If you have ever worked for a business that relies heavily on temporary workers then you understand how challenging it is to continually train new employees. Rome had the same problem. Every time they were called up there needed to be refreshers and in many cases there were new reinforcements that had be completely trained. Surely there had to a better way.
Shortly before the end of the 2nd century BC the reliance on this annual call-up of citizens was abandoned and the temporary army was replaced by a standing one. This allowed for a stronger force with better and more consistent equipment and training. While a vast improvement over the previous system there was still a flaw in that the allegiance of these soldiers was to their commander, who payed his soldiers in money or land supplied by the state. Although this created very strong platoons it also led to a strange form of civil war. Commanders such as Julius Ceasar, Mark Antony, Pompey and Octavian not only went abroad making new conquests for the State, but also vied with each other for political control of the republic.
It was Octavian who was victorious, defeating all of his opponents. He then instituted imperial rule, giving the armed forces a complete overhaul. The number of troops was cut by more than half but the required length of service was doubled. A military treasury was established to pay both active soldiers and veterans. Octavian also completely changed the purpose and goals of his army. In the past the mission was to stretch the borders as far as possible. The job description was simple: "Remember, Roman, that it is for thee to rule the nations. This shall be thy task, to impose the ways of peace, to spare the vanquished, and to tame the proud by war." Octavian changed the purpose from conquest to defense.
Because much of their armor was mass produced the pieces weren't always of the highest quality. However, the engineering that was behind each piece was amazing. Realistically, the pieces didn't have to be impeccable because most of their opponents were unarmored. When the Romans did come across others with new or different gear, the ideas were evaluated, improved on and assimilated into their current, constantly improving, arsenal. It was these, engineered, tested and improved pieces of armor that Paul was so interested in. We will look at the sword another day but for now, the defensive armor.
First, let's look at the helmet. There are many varieties but they all have similar features. They were heavy. Which is indicative of the thickness of the metal used. The brain is important and they weren't willing to take any chances on losing its functionality. Most of the models include appendages off of the main bowl to cover the ears and sides of the neck. Obviously, they didn't really want to lose an ear, but they also needed to protect the jugular from attack because it supplies our brains with the blood it needs. A few types of helmet also had an offshoot to cover the bridge of the nose. A hard blow to the nose is not lethal but can lead to a bunch of other unpleasant things so it seems reasonable to protect it. Finally, every helmet was lined with leather. We're talking about putting 10 pounds on your head all day, every day. If there were not efforts to make them at least a little comfortable how many would actually wear them? How much good is that uncomfortable helmet doing at protecting you when it's hanging in your garage.
Next, the breastplate. The name doesn't really say all that it is. This strong piece of metal covers the torso of our soldier, both front and back. It has one job. To keep you alive. When arrows are coming at you in war, a punctured lung, severed aorta, pierced liver or kidney or damage to the spinal cord is the end of your fighting days. Because of its critical role, there wasn't a lot of variation. Many times the length varied depending on the job of the owner. A soldier in the calvery would have a shorter one than an artillery guy. Some had leather padding under the shoulder rests for comfort. Other than that, they are all the same and their life saving importance is clear.
A belt doesn't really seem like a critical piece of armor but it actually very important. In modern times it is likely much more obvious when people don't use one. It wasn't that long ago that Larry Platt made waves on American idol by singing his original song "Pants on the Ground." While it was pretty much just a joke, it does look at a curious fashion trend that no Navy SEAL would ever attempt. In battle, you expect that your equipment, whether armor, weapons or whatever else, are well fitted and functioning properly. The belt of a Roman soldier held a dagger, a sheath, and kept his lower body armor in place. So, while the belt itself may not seem life saving, it's function and importance cannot be overlooked.
Traditionally, when I think of a shield it's a small round thing that is lightweight so it can be carried easily and used quickly. It's something seen in a Monte Python movie or a neighborhood boy using a trash can lid imagining that hes up against Captain Hook. But the shield used by the Roman army was certainly not small or light. At about 42 inches tall, this is more like a piece of furniture. Made of layers of hardwood, the outermost layer covers the seams of the inner layer. If hit with an arrow or stone, it's likely that the outside perimeter would easily chip and desinigrate and eventually be destroyed. To prevent that, the wooden edges are lined with bronze or iron. The curved shape is designed so that anything that strikes it will tend to ricochet away from the soldier. Probably the weakest spot on the shield is on the inside at the grip. Holding it from there means that the hand is very vulnerable if a projectile were able to penetrate. Of course, the Romans weren't willing to take that kind of risk, so, the center of the outside of the shield was fitted with a large, metal boss directly over the grip making that spot the least dangerous instead of the most.
Footwear played a major role in the development of the Roman Civilization. Better shod armies were able to travel further across rougher terrain. Caligae were heavy-soled military boots with iron nails protruding from the bottom worn by Roman legionary soldiers. No other shoes in history symbolize the expansion of an empire than these famed shoes. Their open design allowed for the free passage of air to the feet and were specifically designed to reduce the likelihood of blisters forming, as well as other disabling foot conditions like trench foot. Constructed from three leather layers which were laced up the center of the foot and onto the top of the ankle, iron hobnails were hammered into the soles, to provide the shoe with reinforcement, traction and additional armament. Because of their durability in most climates, their stability, comfort and longevity, the Roman soldier was always ready to go wherever needed on a moments notice.
Would you like to put on the full armor of God every day? Here's my daily morning prayer to do just that. Try it out some time. I'd bet that your enemies will give you some breathing room to get you through whatever struggle your are currently in. Let me know how it works out for you.
"Good morning Father God. Good morning Jesus Christ. Good morning Holy Spirit. Thank you for another day to serve and follow You. As I go throughout my day I will certainly encounter some difficulties. I'm thankful that they are not with flesh and blood but with the spiritual forces of evil in an unseen world. In preparing for that battle right now I protect my salvation with your Helmet, my righteousness with your Breastplate and unforeseen attacks on my faith with your Shield. To hold those in place I wrap myself in the Belt of your truth and your Shoes make me ready to go where you call me. Thank you that when I need words the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, is bubbling inside of me. Thank you for this protection, and that when I need You, You are there."
Two hundred years before the birth of Jesus the armies of Rome were made up of citizens called up for duty each year. This was an early version of the military draft that we are familiar with today. Each man between 17 and 46 was liable for duty. No matter how effective this system may have been there was a major flaw in that there was no permanent army. These men were essentially called on as needed for individual missions; bringing the own gear, weapons and armor. If you have ever worked for a business that relies heavily on temporary workers then you understand how challenging it is to continually train new employees. Rome had the same problem. Every time they were called up there needed to be refreshers and in many cases there were new reinforcements that had be completely trained. Surely there had to a better way.
Shortly before the end of the 2nd century BC the reliance on this annual call-up of citizens was abandoned and the temporary army was replaced by a standing one. This allowed for a stronger force with better and more consistent equipment and training. While a vast improvement over the previous system there was still a flaw in that the allegiance of these soldiers was to their commander, who payed his soldiers in money or land supplied by the state. Although this created very strong platoons it also led to a strange form of civil war. Commanders such as Julius Ceasar, Mark Antony, Pompey and Octavian not only went abroad making new conquests for the State, but also vied with each other for political control of the republic.
It was Octavian who was victorious, defeating all of his opponents. He then instituted imperial rule, giving the armed forces a complete overhaul. The number of troops was cut by more than half but the required length of service was doubled. A military treasury was established to pay both active soldiers and veterans. Octavian also completely changed the purpose and goals of his army. In the past the mission was to stretch the borders as far as possible. The job description was simple: "Remember, Roman, that it is for thee to rule the nations. This shall be thy task, to impose the ways of peace, to spare the vanquished, and to tame the proud by war." Octavian changed the purpose from conquest to defense.
Because much of their armor was mass produced the pieces weren't always of the highest quality. However, the engineering that was behind each piece was amazing. Realistically, the pieces didn't have to be impeccable because most of their opponents were unarmored. When the Romans did come across others with new or different gear, the ideas were evaluated, improved on and assimilated into their current, constantly improving, arsenal. It was these, engineered, tested and improved pieces of armor that Paul was so interested in. We will look at the sword another day but for now, the defensive armor.
First, let's look at the helmet. There are many varieties but they all have similar features. They were heavy. Which is indicative of the thickness of the metal used. The brain is important and they weren't willing to take any chances on losing its functionality. Most of the models include appendages off of the main bowl to cover the ears and sides of the neck. Obviously, they didn't really want to lose an ear, but they also needed to protect the jugular from attack because it supplies our brains with the blood it needs. A few types of helmet also had an offshoot to cover the bridge of the nose. A hard blow to the nose is not lethal but can lead to a bunch of other unpleasant things so it seems reasonable to protect it. Finally, every helmet was lined with leather. We're talking about putting 10 pounds on your head all day, every day. If there were not efforts to make them at least a little comfortable how many would actually wear them? How much good is that uncomfortable helmet doing at protecting you when it's hanging in your garage.
Next, the breastplate. The name doesn't really say all that it is. This strong piece of metal covers the torso of our soldier, both front and back. It has one job. To keep you alive. When arrows are coming at you in war, a punctured lung, severed aorta, pierced liver or kidney or damage to the spinal cord is the end of your fighting days. Because of its critical role, there wasn't a lot of variation. Many times the length varied depending on the job of the owner. A soldier in the calvery would have a shorter one than an artillery guy. Some had leather padding under the shoulder rests for comfort. Other than that, they are all the same and their life saving importance is clear.
A belt doesn't really seem like a critical piece of armor but it actually very important. In modern times it is likely much more obvious when people don't use one. It wasn't that long ago that Larry Platt made waves on American idol by singing his original song "Pants on the Ground." While it was pretty much just a joke, it does look at a curious fashion trend that no Navy SEAL would ever attempt. In battle, you expect that your equipment, whether armor, weapons or whatever else, are well fitted and functioning properly. The belt of a Roman soldier held a dagger, a sheath, and kept his lower body armor in place. So, while the belt itself may not seem life saving, it's function and importance cannot be overlooked.
Traditionally, when I think of a shield it's a small round thing that is lightweight so it can be carried easily and used quickly. It's something seen in a Monte Python movie or a neighborhood boy using a trash can lid imagining that hes up against Captain Hook. But the shield used by the Roman army was certainly not small or light. At about 42 inches tall, this is more like a piece of furniture. Made of layers of hardwood, the outermost layer covers the seams of the inner layer. If hit with an arrow or stone, it's likely that the outside perimeter would easily chip and desinigrate and eventually be destroyed. To prevent that, the wooden edges are lined with bronze or iron. The curved shape is designed so that anything that strikes it will tend to ricochet away from the soldier. Probably the weakest spot on the shield is on the inside at the grip. Holding it from there means that the hand is very vulnerable if a projectile were able to penetrate. Of course, the Romans weren't willing to take that kind of risk, so, the center of the outside of the shield was fitted with a large, metal boss directly over the grip making that spot the least dangerous instead of the most.
Footwear played a major role in the development of the Roman Civilization. Better shod armies were able to travel further across rougher terrain. Caligae were heavy-soled military boots with iron nails protruding from the bottom worn by Roman legionary soldiers. No other shoes in history symbolize the expansion of an empire than these famed shoes. Their open design allowed for the free passage of air to the feet and were specifically designed to reduce the likelihood of blisters forming, as well as other disabling foot conditions like trench foot. Constructed from three leather layers which were laced up the center of the foot and onto the top of the ankle, iron hobnails were hammered into the soles, to provide the shoe with reinforcement, traction and additional armament. Because of their durability in most climates, their stability, comfort and longevity, the Roman soldier was always ready to go wherever needed on a moments notice.
Would you like to put on the full armor of God every day? Here's my daily morning prayer to do just that. Try it out some time. I'd bet that your enemies will give you some breathing room to get you through whatever struggle your are currently in. Let me know how it works out for you.
"Good morning Father God. Good morning Jesus Christ. Good morning Holy Spirit. Thank you for another day to serve and follow You. As I go throughout my day I will certainly encounter some difficulties. I'm thankful that they are not with flesh and blood but with the spiritual forces of evil in an unseen world. In preparing for that battle right now I protect my salvation with your Helmet, my righteousness with your Breastplate and unforeseen attacks on my faith with your Shield. To hold those in place I wrap myself in the Belt of your truth and your Shoes make me ready to go where you call me. Thank you that when I need words the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, is bubbling inside of me. Thank you for this protection, and that when I need You, You are there."