Sunday: Thy Shield
“After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward” (Gen: 15:1).
Read Genesis 15:1-3. Think of the context in which the message was given. Why would the first thing the Lord says to Abram be “Fear not”? What would Abram have to fear?
Image © Kevin Carden at Goodsalt.com
What’s particularly interesting here is that the Lord says to Abram, “I am thy shield.” The use of the personal pronouns shows the personal nature of the relationship. God will relate to him one-on-one, the way He will with all of us.
The designation of God as a “Shield” appears here for the first time in the Bible and is the only time God uses it to reveal Himself, even if other Bible passages use the term to speak about God (Deut: 33:29, Ps: 18:30, Ps: 84:11, Ps: 144:2).
When God calls Himself someone’s shield, what does that mean? Did it mean something to Abram that it might not mean to us now? Can we claim that promise for ourselves? Does it mean no physical harm will come? In what ways is God a shield? How do you understand that image?
“Christ has not a casual interest in us but an interest stronger than a mother for her child … . Our Saviour has purchased us by human suffering and sorrow, by insult, reproach, abuse, mockery, rejection and death. He is watching over you, trembling child of God. He will make you secure under His protection … . Our weakness in human nature will not bar our access to the heavenly Father, for He [Christ] died to make intercession for us.” — Ellen G. White, Sons and Daughters of God, p. 77.
| Rolando had been, from all outward appearances, a faithful follower of the Lord. Then, suddenly, he died unexpectedly. What happened to God as his shield? Or must we understand the idea of God as our shield in a different manner? Explain. What does God always promise to shield us from? (See 1 Cor: 10:13.) |
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God is not a good luck charm that we wear around our neck to ensure our safety. I wonder how many God-fearing Christians have prayed for "travelling mercies" before setting out on a car journey, only to have an accident and be killed. The author of these lessons, Gerhard Hasel was in fact killed in a car accident in Utah in 1994. So, the question asked at the end of the lesson is very topical.
Such tragic events raise questions about what is meant by God's protection and whatever we postulate, I am sure we do not have all the answers. Those of us who have lost loved ones in such circumstances have an ache in our hearts that is not easily quenched with platitudes.
I think that Matthew 10:28-32 provides at least a partial answer:
I don't think I need to spell it out, but there are a couple of things more important than death, and with Jesus as our advocate in the great battle between good and evil we have nothing to fear.
"Those of us who have lost loved ones in such circumstances have an ache in our hearts that is not easily quenched with platitudes."
Yes, within a couple of decades I lost my dad, my mother, my in laws, my sister, my son and my daughter. But I did not loose my faith in God's ability and willingness to grant me and my loved ones eternal life in the world to come.
Nic Samojluk.... my love and huggs to you. Indeed God will surely wipe out every tear from our eyes
He sure will; and that day is fast approaqching.
thanks for the commentary. the question about "What is 'the shield of God'? is one worth investigation and study. I think that many Christians believe that God is supposed to protect them regardless of the decisions or choices that are made in their lives. The study about "what is God's shield", provides insight into whether that theology is accurate.
“After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward” (Gen: 15:1)....
I have found these verses when doing a search of word combination "word,shield"...i think there is some correlation between God's Word (Scripture) and His Shield...After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.”Genesis 15:1....As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. (2Samuel 22:31)....As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.(Psalm 18:30)....You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word.(Psalm 119:14).....Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.(Proverbs 30:5)
further clarification on the question of What is God's shield provided in the teachers edition of Sabbath School Lesson...“After these things the word of Jehovah came to Abram in a vision, saying, ‘Do not fear, Abram; I am your shield, your reward will increase greatly.’ ”—Jay Green, ed., The Interlinear Hebrew/Greek English Bible, vol. 1, p. 32; emphasis supplied. (See Gen. 15:1.) “The ‘shield’ or protection spoken of here does not refer to physical protection in war or physical protection from misfortune. Rather, it refers to protection from the possibility that the covenant promise would not be fulfilled through Abraham and his future seed. . . . If we are Abraham’s seed (and all who have the faith of Abraham are Abraham’s seed), then we also have the assurance that God will be our shield.”—Gerhard M. Hasel and Michael G. Hasel, The Promise: God’s Everlasting Covenant, p. 44.
He is not our good luck charm, but He just the same protects us so many times. I do believe that if our eyes could be opened to see the unseen, we would be amazed and fall on our knees in thanksgiving. No I don’t know why His protection is not there occasionally for even the righteous that have asked for it, but I put my faith in Him that He knows best. That does not stop us of putting on the shield of faith and continue to believe He hears and answers our prayers. The Angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear the Lord and delivereth them. Psalms 34:7.
I'm not sure what shield meant to Abraham as he had just fought a war to rescue Lot and was victorious.
But for me, with the image, it means protection from the evil intentions of the devil - his fiery darts!
Eph 6:10-20
10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the spiritual realm. 13Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 19and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,20for which I am an ambassador in chains; that I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Thy shield: Jesus came to save us from sins to every true believer He's our Assurance, help, security, and our peace are in Him.
Christ is our helper and we need not fear,He will help us over every temptation if we call upon Him in faith.
If we commit ourselves to God He make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
It is assuring to read Mrs. White’s comments in today’s lesson. I usually do not read beyond that which I have read to familiarize myself with her basic Christian believes contained in her main publications, but everything shared of her writings in our bible study group is enlightening.
It warms my heart as I read her reference to God as our heavenly Father and to us as His sons and daughters, His children. There could be an additional distinction made between all of humanity to be His children and His spiritual children, those who are born of His spirt and now living in His kingdom according to their enlightended understanding of His Will.
I understand God’s Shield to mean – His Faithfulness. The Father and His children are united by Faith; this union in Faith shields us from all forms of manifestations of unbelieve. Abraham is our example.
Eph.6-10-18KJV speaks to us about the Armor of God - v.13-16 ”Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all (overcome), to stand. Stand therefore, having your lions girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. This describes our life as it is lived in the Father's heavenly kingdom her on earth.
We cannot have a relationship with our Father outside of faith. I see God, our Father as our *Faith-shield*. This shield mitigates by His Grace everything evil attempting to assail us. The Father stands watch-care over His children – 24 hours a day, forever and ever - guiding us as we walk by faith the path of His Righteousness.
The Father’s exceeding great rewards are beyond all our imagination. It is not bound to promises already given, or Covenants already engaged in, but it opens the windows of Heaven for us to partake of gifts yet to be received by those who remain covered by God’s Shield of His Faithfulness.
We also cannot have faith outside of a relationship with our Father
Yes, Manlio - the believer's life is based on Faith. It is God's Gift to us by which He communicates with us and we with Him! Engaging in Faith establishes and maintains our relationship with each other.
Abram was a sojourner in a "foreign" land of various kingdoms(none of which followed or observed the "commandments, statutes and laws" of Jehovah), and without the typical army for defense. God promising to be his shield was significant in those circumstances, but as already stated in the comments above, the greater application is the "fight of faith" that all who would serve the Lord must face, daily. It is faith alone that takes hold of God's "exceeding great and precious promises", regardless of any circumstances which may prevail in this life. Most know the words of the well-known hymn: "Whatever my lot...it is well with my soul!".
Psalm 91:4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
Meditating on the thought: God tells me "I am your shield"....
He Himself is my shield! We are so privileged!