Topical Encyclopedia In biblical times, the shield was an essential piece of military equipment, serving as a primary means of defense in battle. The gathering of shields before war is a practice that underscores the preparation and readiness of a people or army for impending conflict. This act of assembling shields is not only practical but also symbolic, representing unity, strength, and the resolve to protect and defend.The Bible provides several instances where shields are gathered in preparation for war, highlighting their importance in ancient warfare. In 2 Chronicles 14:8, we read about King Asa of Judah, who "had an army of three hundred thousand men from Judah, bearing large shields and spears, and two hundred eighty thousand men from Benjamin, bearing small shields and drawing the bow." This passage illustrates the strategic organization and equipping of troops, emphasizing the role of shields in the military readiness of Judah. Similarly, in 2 Chronicles 25:5, King Amaziah of Judah "assembled the men of Judah and assigned them according to their families under commanders of thousands and of hundreds for all Judah and Benjamin. He then numbered those twenty years of age and older and found there to be three hundred thousand choice men, able to serve in the army, bearing the spear and shield." This gathering of shields signifies the mobilization of forces and the preparation for battle, reflecting the king's responsibility to protect his kingdom. The gathering of shields is also mentioned in the context of divine instruction and intervention. In Ezekiel 38:4, God speaks of bringing Gog against Israel, saying, "I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws, and bring you out with your whole army—your horses, your horsemen fully armed, and a great company with shields and bucklers, all of them brandishing their swords." Here, the assembly of shields is part of a prophetic vision, indicating the comprehensive preparation of an army under divine orchestration. The significance of shields extends beyond their physical function; they are emblematic of God's protection and the faith of His people. In Psalm 18:2, David declares, "The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." This metaphorical use of the shield conveys the spiritual defense and security found in God, paralleling the physical protection provided by a shield in battle. In the New Testament, the concept of the shield is further spiritualized in Ephesians 6:16, where Paul exhorts believers to "take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one." This passage emphasizes the importance of faith as a protective measure against spiritual attacks, drawing a parallel to the physical shields used in warfare. The gathering of shields before war, therefore, is a multifaceted concept in the Bible, encompassing physical preparation, spiritual symbolism, and divine assurance. It reflects the readiness and determination of God's people to face adversaries, both seen and unseen, with the confidence that comes from faith and divine protection. Torrey's Topical Textbook Jeremiah 51:11Make bright the arrows; gather the shields: the LORD has raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes: for his device is against Babylon, to destroy it; because it is the vengeance of the LORD, the vengeance of his temple. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library When the Banks were Completed and the Battering Rams Brought, and ... Saul's Expedition against the Nation of the Ammonites and victory ... The Idumeans Being Sent for by the Zealots, came Immediately to ... 2 Thessalonians ii. 9-Jun What Cestius did against the Jews; and How, Upon his Besieging ... The History of Solomon Vespasian, when He had Taken the City Gadaea Marches to Jotapata. ... Concerning Rehoboam, and How God Inflicted Punishment Upon Him for ... Destruction of Jerusalem Foretold. Treatise on Christ and Antichrist. Resources Who was King Rehoboam in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to resist the devil, and why will resistance cause the devil to flee? | GotQuestions.org What can we learn from the tribe of Naphtali? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Shields in Times of Peace Were Hung up in Towers or Armouries Shields of the Vanquished, often Burned Shields were Scarce in Israel in the Days of Deborah and Barak Shields: A Disgrace to Lose, or Throw Away Shields: A Part of Defensive Armour Shields: Before War: Gathered Together Shields: Before War: Often Made Red Shields: Before War: Uncovered Shields: Frequently Made of, or Covered With: Brass Shields: Frequently Made of, or Covered With: Gold Shields: Kinds of Often Borne by an Armour Bearer Shields: Kinds of The Buckler or Target Shields: Kinds of The Small Shield Shields: Many of the Israelites Used, With Expertness Shields: Provided by the Kings of Israel in Great Abundance Shields: Said to Belong to God Related Terms Strengthened (113 Occurrences) |
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