The Sword of the Protection of God
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The concept of "The Sword of the Protection of God" is not explicitly named in the Bible, but it is a theme that resonates throughout the Scriptures, symbolizing divine protection, justice, and the power of God's Word. This entry explores the biblical foundations and theological implications of this motif.

Biblical Foundations

1. The Sword as a Symbol of Divine Protection: The sword is frequently used in the Bible as a metaphor for God's protection and deliverance. In Genesis 3:24, after Adam and Eve are expelled from the Garden of Eden, God places cherubim and a flaming sword to guard the way to the tree of life. This imagery underscores the protective and guarding nature of the sword.

2. The Sword of the Spirit: In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul refers to the "sword of the Spirit" as part of the full armor of God. Ephesians 6:17 states, "And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Here, the sword represents the Word of God, which is a powerful tool for spiritual warfare and protection against evil.

3. Divine Justice and Judgment: The sword is also a symbol of God's justice and judgment. In Revelation 19:15, the imagery of Christ wielding a sharp sword from His mouth signifies the power and authority of His word to execute judgment: "From His mouth proceeds a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with an iron scepter."

Theological Implications

1. God's Word as a Protective Force: The Bible consistently portrays God's Word as a source of strength and protection for believers. Hebrews 4:12 describes the Word of God as "living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword." This passage highlights the penetrating power of Scripture to protect, convict, and guide the believer.

2. Spiritual Warfare: The concept of the sword in spiritual warfare is central to understanding the Christian's defense against spiritual adversaries. The believer is called to wield the sword of the Spirit, which involves knowing and applying Scripture to resist temptation and overcome evil.

3. The Role of Faith: Faith in God's promises and His Word is crucial for experiencing His protection. Psalm 91:4 assures believers of God's protective care: "He will cover you with His feathers; under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and rampart." The sword, as a metaphor for God's Word, is effective when wielded in faith.

4. Christ as the Divine Warrior: The imagery of Christ as a warrior with a sword emphasizes His role as the ultimate protector and judge. Revelation 1:16 describes Christ with a sharp, double-edged sword coming from His mouth, symbolizing His authority and the power of His spoken word.

Practical Application

Believers are encouraged to immerse themselves in Scripture, allowing the Word of God to dwell richly within them (Colossians 3:16). By doing so, they equip themselves with the sword of the Spirit, ready to face spiritual battles with confidence in God's protection and guidance. The sword of the protection of God, though not a physical weapon, is a powerful spiritual tool that assures believers of God's presence and power in their lives.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Deuteronomy 33:29
Happy are you, O Israel: who is like to you, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of your help, and who is the sword of your excellency! and your enemies shall be found liars to you; and you shall tread on their high places.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Epistle Lv. To virgilius, Bishop of Arelate (Arles) .
... proceeds as to slay with the same sword both the ... of ordinations, give thanks to Almighty
God, and acknowledge ... His debtors in that under His protection you have ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle lv to virgilius bishop.htm

Of the Saviour's Doctrines and Miracles; and the Benefits He ...
... to retaliate an injury by like aggression, or use the sword, should perish ... injury,
provided his confidence be firm in the protection of that God whose aid ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter xv of the saviours doctrines.htm

Thankfulness to God.
... their high flight and rapid wings are no protection for them ... him to go and curse
the chosen people of God, but Balaam ... stood in the way with a drawn sword to stop ...
/.../the village pulpit volume ii trinity to advent/lxiii thankfulness to god.htm

Thou Spreadest Before Me a Table in the Presence of Mine Enemies.
... Confident of the favor and protection of God, and rooted ... And this peace of God, which
surpasseth all ... or nakedness; or danger, or persecution, or the sword ... ...
/.../callan/the shepherd of my soul/ix thou spreadest before me.htm

Various Passages which Clearly Show that we Cannot do Anything ...
... And Thou hast given me the protection of Thy salvation: and ... possession of the land
through their own sword; neither did ... My God is my helper, and in Him will I ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xvii various passages which.htm

Waiting Only Upon God
... were strong in the strength of Israel's God, and put up their sword into its ... not
know the majesty of faith, nor prove the power of God for our protection. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/waiting only upon god.htm

God's Merciful Guardianship of his People. --Ps. Xci.
... In eternal safeguard there. From the sword at noon-day wasting,. ... Thou on God hast
set thy love,. With the wings of His protection. He will shield thee from above ...
/.../montgomery/sacred poems and hymns/hymn cxlv gods merciful guardianship.htm

The Reasons of the Hatred against the Christians are Examined and ...
... For he who undertakes the protection of the god whom he ... has learned by his own
punishment who is the true God. ... can you, if you either wrest the sword from his ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap liii the reasons of the.htm

The Encamping Angel
... appreciate more fully the grandeur of this promised protection. ... invokes in the same
breath 'the God which fed ... before the warrior leader of Israel, sword in hand ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/the encamping angel.htm

The Destruction of Jerusalem.
... He beheld the destroying angel with sword uplifted against the city which had so ...
of divine love and mercy, the Jews had caused the protection of God to be ...
/.../1 the destruction of jerusalem.htm

Resources
What does it mean to live by the sword and die by the sword? | GotQuestions.org

What is the sword of the Spirit? | GotQuestions.org

What did Jesus mean by coming to bring a sword in Matthew 10:34-36? | GotQuestions.org

Sword: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Sword

Sword of Judgments

Sword of the Malicious Tongue

Sword of War

Sword used by Gideon

Sword used by Goliath

Sword used by Peter

Sword: David's Army Equipped With

Sword: Made of Plowshares

Sword: Symbolical

Sword: To be Beaten Into Plowshares

Sword: Two-Edged

The Sword in Time of Peace Made Into Plough Shares

The Sword in Time of War, Plough Shares Made Into

The Sword of Deep Mental Affliction

The Sword of False Witnesses

The Sword of Judicial Authority

The Sword of Persecuting Spirit of the Wicked

The Sword of Severe and Heavy Calamities

The Sword of the End of the Wicked

The Sword of the Justice of God

The Sword of the Protection of God

The Sword of the Tongue of the Wicked

The Sword of the Wicked

The Sword of the Word of Christ

The Sword of the Word of God

The Sword of War and Contention

The Sword was Brandished Over the Head

The Sword was One of God's Four Sore Judgments

The Sword was Pointed

The Sword was Thrust Through Enemies

The Sword was Used by Heathen Nations

The Sword was Used by the Jews

The Sword was Used by the Patriarchs

The Sword was Used for Destruction of Enemies

The Sword was Used for Punishing Criminals

The Sword was Used for Self-Defence

The Sword was Used: Sometimes for Self-Destruction

The Sword: (Drawing of) of War and Destruction

The Sword: (Living By) of Rapine

The Sword: (Not Departing from One's House) of Perpetual Calamity

The Sword: (Putting, Into Its Sheath) Peace and Friendship

The Sword: Bright

The Sword: Carried in a Sheath or Scabbard

The Sword: Frequently had Two Edges

The Sword: Glittering

The Sword: Hebrews Early Acquainted With Making of

The Sword: Hurtful

The Sword: Often Sent As a Punishment

The Sword: Often Threatened As a Punishment

The Sword: Oppressive

The Sword: Probable Origin

The Sword: Sharp

The Sword: Sharpened and Furbished Before Going to War

The Sword: Suspended from the Girdle

The Sword: Those Slain By, Communicated Ceremonial Uncleanness

Related Terms

Lord'the (1 Occurrence)

Is'the (1 Occurrence)

The (669438 Occurrences)

Oak-the (1 Occurrence)

Saying'the (1 Occurrence)

Jok'the-el (1 Occurrence)

The-oph'ilus (2 Occurrences)

The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence)

Ko'hathites (19 Occurrences)

Kohathite (18 Occurrences)

Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences)

Zin (9 Occurrences)

Zarephath (4 Occurrences)

Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences)

Vintage (14 Occurrences)

Kore (4 Occurrences)

Knives (12 Occurrences)

Zidonians (11 Occurrences)

Kareah (14 Occurrences)

Vegetation (18 Occurrences)

Kanah (3 Occurrences)

Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences)

Vicinity (18 Occurrences)

Zeboim (7 Occurrences)

Kadeshbarnea (9 Occurrences)

Kare'ah (14 Occurrences)

Volition

Kol

Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences)

Vashti (10 Occurrences)

Zabdi (17 Occurrences)

Knitted (9 Occurrences)

Kids (12 Occurrences)

Killeth (23 Occurrences)

Vial (12 Occurrences)

Zelophehad (9 Occurrences)

Home-born (14 Occurrences)

Kingship (17 Occurrences)

Kadesh-barnea (9 Occurrences)

Zealot (4 Occurrences)

Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences)

Kibrothhattaavah (5 Occurrences)

Victorious (17 Occurrences)

Zacchaeus (3 Occurrences)

Zenas (1 Occurrence)

Kneel (10 Occurrences)

Zachariah (6 Occurrences)

Kebar (8 Occurrences)

Kerethites (9 Occurrences)

Zeeb (3 Occurrences)

Zoheleth (1 Occurrence)

Zarethan (4 Occurrences)

Kinnereth (7 Occurrences)

Knowledge

Knelt (20 Occurrences)

Visible (12 Occurrences)

Zeus (3 Occurrences)

Ziph (9 Occurrences)

Zebadiah (9 Occurrences)

Zorah (10 Occurrences)

Kenite (9 Occurrences)

Kick (8 Occurrences)

Kedar (11 Occurrences)

Zichri (12 Occurrences)

Ko'rahites (6 Occurrences)

Zeru'iah (24 Occurrences)

Kei'lah (16 Occurrences)

24000 (10 Occurrences)

Vapor (6 Occurrences)

Vanished (13 Occurrences)

Verdict (7 Occurrences)

Violated (23 Occurrences)

Knop (4 Occurrences)

Visiting (10 Occurrences)

Zaphon (4 Occurrences)

Zephani'ah (10 Occurrences)

Zaccur (10 Occurrences)

Koz (5 Occurrences)

Kadmiel (8 Occurrences)

The Sword of the Oppressor
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