The Anointed Shield

"Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”

The shields of the Old Testament were made of various materials, such as gold, brass, etc. Some were simply for show, while others were for military use. We are told that the latter was made of wood, wicker work, overlaid with leather. Ezekiel speaks of Israel burning their enemy’s shields.

There is an interesting text in Isaiah, “Anoint the shield.”  To keep the shield from drying out and cracking, it would be anointed with olive oil. This would prevent the adversary’s arrows from penetrating the parched shield. But also, this oil would serve to extinguish the fiery arrows as they stuck in this most important part of a warrior’s armour.

Abraham was in constant danger from those around him. He was told by God, “I am thy shield.” And darling David said, “The Lord is my shield.” And the wise man tells us, “He [is] a shield unto them that put their trust in him.” Christ means “the anointed one” (cp. Acts 4:26 with Psl.2:2).

Standing between us and all the fiery darts of the wicked one is “The Captain of [our] Salvation,” who, anointed with His own precious Blood, bears in His own body every flaming arrow that hell can shoot at us. What a blessing to put Him, our Shield, between us and Satan. And O the thrill, to smell the smoke of the smoldering fire as it dies out. Hallelujah, what a Saviour!