“Take care lest you forget the Lord your God...who led you through the great and terrifying wilderness, with its fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty ground where there was no water”
—Deuteronomy 8:11a, 15a
He put on righteousness as a breastplate,
and a helmet of salvation on his head;
he put on garments of vengeance for clothing,
and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak.
—Isaiah 59:17
“Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
—Luke 10:19-20
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
—Romans 12:19
And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
—Ephesians 5:2
for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God
—James 1:20
The walking shoes that protect our feet are the good news of peace. That one phrase Paul wrote to the Ephesian believers is rich with context and connections. Here are a few more.
Before detailing the metaphor of “the armor of God”, Paul had already made clear that the battle was not against other humans. The armor was made up of articles that would have been familiar to people living in a world dominated (for a time) by the imperial ambitions of Rome. Many commentators and teachers have pointed out that almost all of the parts are defensive in nature—equipment designed to protect the wearer. The only exception is the sword—the “word of God”—with which Jesus Himself responded to the attacks of the enemy in the wilderness. Therefore the sword is not used to attack people. And the shoes of the good news of peace are not made to trample on them.
Moses had reminded the Israelites that the Lord had led them through a wilderness with serpents and scorpions. After that, he reminded them that their sandals hadn't worn out. Did the disciples remember that when Jesus told them that He had authorized them to walk on serpents and scorpions? Do we recognize that Jesus also connected that to dealing with evil spirits, not other humans?
Paul's description of the armor includes phrases that Isaiah had used centuries earlier. The Lord had been displeased with the failure of His people to intercede against injustice, so He armored Himself to deal with it, so that His name would be respected. And so that His word would be in the mouths of His people.
Vengeance belongs to Him alone. He gave His Word so that His people could bring His good news of peace and reconciliation, without fear of the serpent.
Walking Shoes (part 3)
Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord,
who walks in his ways!
—Psalm 128:1
“Take care lest you forget the Lord your God...who led you through the great and terrifying wilderness, with its fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty ground where there was no water”
—Deuteronomy 8:11a, 15a
He put on righteousness as a breastplate,
and a helmet of salvation on his head;
he put on garments of vengeance for clothing,
and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak.
—Isaiah 59:17
“Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
—Luke 10:19-20
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
—Romans 12:19
And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
—Ephesians 5:2
for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God
—James 1:20
The walking shoes that protect our feet are the good news of peace. That one phrase Paul wrote to the Ephesian believers is rich with context and connections. Here are a few more.
Before detailing the metaphor of “the armor of God”, Paul had already made clear that the battle was not against other humans. The armor was made up of articles that would have been familiar to people living in a world dominated (for a time) by the imperial ambitions of Rome. Many commentators and teachers have pointed out that almost all of the parts are defensive in nature—equipment designed to protect the wearer. The only exception is the sword—the “word of God”—with which Jesus Himself responded to the attacks of the enemy in the wilderness. Therefore the sword is not used to attack people. And the shoes of the good news of peace are not made to trample on them.
Moses had reminded the Israelites that the Lord had led them through a wilderness with serpents and scorpions. After that, he reminded them that their sandals hadn't worn out. Did the disciples remember that when Jesus told them that He had authorized them to walk on serpents and scorpions? Do we recognize that Jesus also connected that to dealing with evil spirits, not other humans?
Paul's description of the armor includes phrases that Isaiah had used centuries earlier. The Lord had been displeased with the failure of His people to intercede against injustice, so He armored Himself to deal with it, so that His name would be respected. And so that His word would be in the mouths of His people.
Vengeance belongs to Him alone. He gave His Word so that His people could bring His good news of peace and reconciliation, without fear of the serpent.