We are told there is a time for every purpose under heaven, but doesn't it seem the warfare is outweighing the peace fair, by a significant margin? I'm not suggesting a kumbaya tolerance of everything, but warfare does seem much more draining than proclaiming. War is not the same thing as warfare. A war has a beginning and an ending, warfare is a way of life.
Ephesians 6 tells us we do not fight flesh and blood.
Scripture throughout tells us "the battle is not ours."
So what is with this militant argumentative attitude? I hear so many times about how Y'hshuwah cracked the whip in the Temple. Well for those that believe the two instances recorded are their personal instructions, then by all means go to that Temple Mount and see how that works out. The accounts of the Gospel record a great many more healings and deliverances by our Messiah, than whip crackings and arguments.
Ephesians 6:11-18
11. Put on the whole armour of G-d, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of G-d: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
It seems to me this "armour" is about us. It seems to be about fighting our own flesh to serve YHWH.
Notice the armor does not include a bull horn?
Now to Leviticus 8:6-12
6. And Moses brought Aaron and his sons, and washed them with water. 7 And he put upon him the coat, and girded him with the girdle, and clothed him with the robe, and put the ephod upon him, and he girded him with the curious girdle of the ephod, and bound it unto him therewith. 8 And he put the breastplate upon him: also he put in the breastplate the Urim and the Thummim. 9 And he put the mitre upon his head; also upon the mitre, even upon his forefront, did he put the golden plate, the holy crown; as the LORD commanded Moses. 10 And Moses took the anointing oil, and anointed the tabernacle and all that was therein, and sanctified them. 11 And he sprinkled thereof upon the altar seven times, and anointed the altar and all his vessels, both the laver and his foot, to sanctify them. 12 And he poured of the anointing oil upon Aaron's head, and anointed him, to sanctify him.
Although, it has through the years, even now, appeared to be almost a religious costume, there is serious spiritual significance in donning this apparel. These are the "work clothes" of the High Priest, not the video props.
Isaiah 59:16-17
16 And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him. :17 For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak. - Who is Y'hshuwah, except our righteousness!
Stand, and wash with water before putting on the ephod. Does this mean make a decision to be cleansed and stand in a new life? The belt is mentioned in both passages, in Ephesians the belt of truth, in Leviticus the curious "girdle" keeps on the clean ephod, as in continuing to seek the truth. Breastplate is mentioned in both passages and clearly righteousness is attributed to the High Priest. I'm going to add my perspective here, but Paul mentions feet with readiness of peace and Torah mentions shoes in reference to "holy ground." I don't know what the High Priest was required to wear, but standing humbly and walking softly in holy peace just seem to collate in the image. Is the shield of faith the Urim and Thumim? I believe every indication points that way, in that there is nothing but faith to rely on the answer one receives. The helmet of salvation for the New Testament believer would clearly be associated with the mitre and holy crown of the High Priest, as Y'hshuwah is our salvation, our High Priest wearing a holy crown.
Isaiah refers to the helmet, or knowledge of salvation and the breastplate or heart of righteousness.
Anointing oil is definitely associated with prayer and sanctification. It is the shield of faith, the Urim and Thumim that quenches the fiery darts of the enemy, not our words and discord. For the same reason the High Priests of the Hebrew Scriptures had a certain protocol to go beyond themselves in service, I see the same thing for New Testament believers. This spiritual attire is to carry the Word. The High Priests carried the ark, we are to carry the Gospel of peace. We are not called to a perpetual word or knowledge battle with fellow humans, as our warfare is not of flesh and blood, but we battle against the temptation to "be as gods."
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