Put On The Armor
Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, who was the chief of the thirty, and he said, . . . 1 Chronicles 12:18
Came Upon – How would you describe the Spirit of God coming over you? Would you talk about being filled? Would you use words about a deep, inner experience? Would you describe the occurrence with emotional overtones or transcendental hyperbole? You might find it startling when you discover that the Bible doesn’t use any of this sort of language in its description of the Spirit coming upon Amasai. In fact, the biblical description is a lot more like Paul’s statements in Ephesians 6:13. The Hebrew verb here is lavash. It means “to wear, to dress, to put on clothing.” When the Spirit encountered Amasai, it was like Amasai put on new clothes, a new set of armor. He was “covered” in the Spirit.
Do you find this a bit strange? Today we speak as if the Spirit is an inside experience. We talk about the “indwelling” of the Spirit. We focus on the inner manifestation and the personal experience. But in this text, the Spirit is on the outside, just like a new set of clothes. And people can see new clothes! Don’t you think that David observed the Spirit covering Amasai? At this point of confrontation, the Spirit shows us and makes it obvious to everyone that Amasai wears God on his sleeve.
What do you suppose would change in our understanding of God’s interactions with men if we thought of the manifestation of the Spirit like a new set of clothes? Do you suppose we might have a greater appreciation for Paul’s comments about putting on the new man (which is also a “getting dressed” metaphor)? If we put on new clothes, don’t you think others would notice? I can tell you this for sure: If your wife puts on a new dress, as the husband you better notice or you are likely to get some real grief. What if we paid the same attention to putting on the Spirit of God?
The short lesson here is a confrontation with the typical contemporary Western idea that our experience with the Lord is private, personal and inner. When we allow the Greek-based paradigm to dictate our view of religion, we look inside for confirmation of godly engagement. But the biblical paradigm suggests that others should be able to see the change in clothes. Our experience with God has a public, outward dimension. If there aren’t any new clothes on the man or woman, we might ask whether anything has really happened. When God dresses someone, things change, not just on the inside but outside where the world can see that change.
We all want to experience the Spirit of God over our lives. Maybe that experience is being inhibited because we still want to dress in the old way. Maybe our claim to be spiritual is hypocritical because anyone looking at us sees we still wear the same garments. Call the Salvation Army. Empty the closet. Get some new duds and let the world see that the Spirit has clothed you today.
Topic Index: lavash, clothed, Ephesians 6:18, 1 Chronicles 12:18
More years ago than I care to admit to I and my wife had taken our deaf son to a speach therapist who worked with deaf children. At one point in the session she asked what I did professionally. I indicated that I was a seminary student an served two churches as a student pastor. Her response has puzzled me all of these years but Skips article Spirit and that this was what the speach therapist had seen but did not understand. Skip forward to about a year ago when I was stopped in the hall way of a local hospital by a young woman who asked if I were a Chaplain. I affirmed and at the end of dealing with her isssue, I asked her how she determined that I was a Chaplain. Her reply was, I just knew. Was I again “clothed” with the Spirit? Is this an on again off again condition? I do not know. I have never thought about it before. Thanks, Skip, for getting my brain active so early this morning.
“The Hebrew verb here is lavash. It means “to wear, to dress, to put on clothing.” When the Spirit encountered Amasai, it was like Amasai put on new clothes, a new set of armor.”
Hi Skip,
That’s a good point; I’ve have always tended to think about it as “a deep, inner experience.”
Then sometimes I wonder where the inner and the outer meet; maybe the two things are one?
But I like your “new set of armor” metaphor, because it is very practical and easy to use.
When I feel fear inside, afraid of something coming from the outside, focusing on God protects me.
In some ways, I’ve always known this experience.
But it has taken me all my life and a lot of work to begin to understand it.
The following lyrics from my favorite song always make me think of the Emperor’s New Clothes and my daughter, Sinead:
Whatever it may bring
I will live by my own policies
I will sleep with a clear conscience
I will sleep in peace
Sinead O’Connor – The Emperor’s New Clothes
Sinéad Marie Bernadette O’Connor is an Irish singer-songwriter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlPCl6aF5VA
“I will live by my own policies”
Just to be clear here, before I can effectively live by my own policies, I must make the two things one.
My policies and God’s policies.
I kind of view the idea of the Spirit “clothing” Amasai as a phenomenon whereby when the Spirit “covered” Amasai, its nature was such that it was able to extract, empower and give voice to what was already resident within him. The Spirit is amazing in that it is able to draw out, as well as permeate, as well as “clear-coat” and protect.
This idea of being “clothed” also reminds me of the passage in II Corinthians 12:9 where God tells Paul, “MY grace is sufficient for you…”
I remember reading William Barclay’s exposition of this passage where he wrote how God’s grace is specifically tailored for each one of his children according to their calling, situation and circumstance. In other words, a “grace suit” tailored for Paul would not have fit or looked good on Peter and the one stitched for Peter may have been way too large for John. That’s why Paul also admonishes us to not compare ourselves with others for it is not wise (II Cor. 10:12). God knows exactly how to “dress” us in the appropriate “seasonal clothing” if we allow Him to.
“the passage in II Corinthians 12:9 where God tells Paul, “MY grace is sufficient for you…””
Hi Christine,
Thanks for sharing such an interesting view of Paul, I have never seen that in him before.
And after going back and reading II Corinthians 12:9, I found it to be a powerful passage.
Now I’m wondering if Paul wasn’t the first “new man”; our first model of the Son of God.
Himself a hero and “Christ figure,” kind of like Paul Newman in Hombre.
Hi Christine,
I was just looking at the passage in II Corinthians 12:7, which caught my eye earlier this morning.
Where it mentions an “angel of Satan,” an image that does not seem very “Christian” to me.
In any case, yesterday I was trying itemize the lessons learned on my last little 40 hour contract.
And the first thing that came to mind was a question that arises in II Corinthians 12:7.
I wondered if the events that had transpired at work had been some sort of test.
Because I had been given, in the form of my manager: “a thorn in the flesh, an Angel of Satan.”
And I wondered if the reason had been:
“to beat me and stop me from getting too proud.”
II Corinthians 12:7
The funny thing was that my first impression of her was not that she was the Devil in Disguise.
Go read my TW on this verse, written some years ago.
John 14:17-20
John 15:4-5
John 17:21-26
Hi skip,l think about how do you feel, or going with the kidney stone pain, and the others things passing in your life,and still doing your job wirtting and you’re doing what isaiah said 45:3 you’re the tool that YHWH is using in our behalf,so you’re the police officer of our own city( the city of the living god) who shows us the right path even knowing that we can decide to take this path or our own google maps, you’re teaching us to see with our spiritual eyes the secrets hiden in the bible and we don’t see them with our naturals eyes, l bless you for those today word, that take us a little be closer to our father, at least this is the way l see.
Have you ever prayed, “Lord Jesus, wear me today like a suit of clothes.” We (together) are the body of Christ. We each own different skillsets, mindsets, talents and abilities, (in other words we all are unique), but G-d has fit each of us “in the body” as it has pleased Him. He, she and I are all different than you, but that is the way the Potter has designed us. G-d is a custom builder. There are no “cookie-cutter” Christians. I’ll never be a Billy Graham because there was only one. Abraham, Moses and Noah had one thing in common and so do you and I. We (all) serve the LORD Christ.
The phase “the Spirit came upon” is used several places in the O.T. (at sundry times and in diverse places and it seems as only unto select individuals YHWH choose for His purposes. I just read as part this mornings short devotional- Jeremiah 31:31.
Jeremiah 31.31-34
The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt – a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the LORD. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, ‘Know the LORD’, for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the LORD; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.
I know this verse opens up much for discussion, so I’ll walk away- (While I can..)
So back to today’s word- “came upon”- or to “clothe”. “but put ye on the LORD Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof” (looking for something to do?)- reread the previous verse! “put on the full armor of G-d” – another “getting dressed” opportunity.. There are so many put off- put on verses! Somewhere out there someone has a list- would you please post this here if you have it? Gotta go- the clock calls..
one last tho’- if your’re happy- please tell your face about it! What’s on the inside- should show on the outside!! -Spread love!!
Our Lord’s famous last words!
Lu 24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued (Strongs 1746 ενδυοω enduo en-doo’-o) with power from on high.
from 1722 and 1416 (in the sense of sinking into a garment);TDNT-2:319,192; v
AV-put on 18, clothed with 2, clothed in 2, have on 2, clothe with 1, be endued 1, arrayed in 1, be clothed 1, vr put on 1; 29
1) to sink into (clothing), put on, clothe one’s self
Skip,
Wow, I just got a revelation that I believe is from God and was prompted by your writing. Could it be that the reason so many of us fail to appropriate the healing power of the Holy Spirit is because we tend to misplace the geographical foundation of the bulwark of the armor? We tend to assign the formation to an inner spiritual place and not to a full covering of ourselves. I have seen the Spirit’s change in a man’s life and one of the barometers is a countenance change. That is a manifestation of the work of God’s hand in one’s life. I know that there are many other measures but your article certainly has me viewing things a bit differently this AM.
Blessings,
Luke
“many of us fail to appropriate the healing power of the Holy Spirit because we tend to misplace the geographical foundation of the bulwark of the armor”
Hi Luke,
I think your point above is a good one and, for some reason, I seem to feel a lot more energy today than usual.
Not sure if is due to re-thinking the “geographical foundation of the bulwark of the armor,” watching Sinead O’Conner sing The Emperor’s New Clothe’s, or discussing Cliff’s model of Excellence.
But I feel like I could ride my bike up Calaveras Blvd, over the mountains to Union City, and back again in the heat, and I haven’t done that in over a year now.
Hi Skip,
My dispensational background told me that the Spririt was ‘only’ on Israel, but it is in us! That means: Israel could loose the covering of the spirit, but it dwells within us, not to leave ever again. Although I have left this dispensational belief behind me, there is a difference in terms between ‘on’ and ‘in, dwelling, filling’, etc. Could you explain?
Thanks,
Kees
Shalom,
Skip … not long ago I was part of a very lively Bible Study session that was discussing this very matter! Of particular interest was the manifestation of Ruach HaKodesh from a Tanakh versus a B’rit Chadasha perspective.
Clearly the Tanakh is full of instances wherein Israelites were operating under and within the auspices of Ruach HaKodesh … as in the prophets as a primary example. But certainly the relationship and indwelling of Rauch HaKodesh in the context of YESHUA is not quite the same … is it?
It seems clear through the revelation of Mashiach that the gift of Ruach HaKodesh, as a result of YESHUA’s glorification, is the culmination of the declaration made by Moshe in Deuteronomy wherein the hearts of the faithful would be circumcised!
Now of course YESHUA does indeed point to the indwelling (See John Chapter 14) but YESHUA also makes it clear that this happens as a result of loving HIM … as a result of keeping HIS commands! As such there is the internal indwelling as well as the new man visible on the outside … the new man that can be recognized by keeping the commandments! It would seem therefore that the armor being spoken of … this outward appearance is surrounding oneself with the character of G_D!
Ruach HaKodesh in the context of YESHUA’s Glorification represents a fullness of ELOHIM’s promises. How faithful is our G_D? 🙂
We think that from a Hebrew point of view, there is a bit of confusion in this explanation of was the Spirit ‘in’ or ‘on’ the believer . [We’ll try and stay on the simple level so as not to confuse].
OK – The Jews believe that the 3 ‘parts’ of the soul that enter the body are ‘nefesh’ (the animating soul), the ‘ruach’ (the energising soul) and the neshama (the spark of the divine). The ‘nefesh’ and the ‘ruach’ function together to fulfil the desires of either the yetzer tov or yetzer hara. If a person should not only lean towards the ‘good’, but should manage to subdue the yetzer hara for a while and actually move positively towards sanctity and the Godly, then they will be helped in that pursuit by the ‘neshama’. As the ‘neshama’ is not ‘fixed’ to the body, it could be described (at that time) as ‘flowing in’ to a person. It is when the person is intent on fulfilling the ruach’s Godly desire and purpose that the ‘neshama’ comes into play.
The Greeks, though, were of the mind that man could do nothing to better himself, that he needed an intermediary between himself and [the distant] God. So, with their understanding, they confused the actions of the neshama with the actions of the Shechinah (literally the ‘indwelling’ – the Presence of God) and the Ruach HaKodesh (set-apart spirit – holy spirit – which enables a person to use a spiritual gift of some kind).
Jews believe that the Shekhinah dwells with the righteous people of God when a group of 10 (or more) gathers in earnest prayer, when two or three gather to make a legal judgement, or when an individual has a real personal need. The sages teach that, for the Ruach HaKodesh to be able to ‘come upon’ a person so that they can carry out a specific function that God would have them carry out, that there has to be ‘an indwelling’ – not of the people, but of the situation/locale. In other words, God will have drawn near and the Shechinah will be manifest amongst them – He is always drawn towards those who are intent on doing His will.
Note: Jews believe that the Ruach HaKodesh ‘comes upon’ a person – it does not enter them, fill them or indwell them. That is why, for example, the dove is seen hovering above Yeshua, and why there are tongues of fire on the heads of the disciples. [I’m purposefully saying ‘it’, as I’m thinking Hebrew).
So, the Greek confusion is that they saw the need for an intermediary, heard that the Jews taught that it is the ‘ruach’ that activates the ‘neshama’ to allow a person to understand the things of God and, so, swapped the ruach (part of man) for the Ruach HaKodesh (part of God). As the neshama ‘flows into’ a person doing the Godly thing, the Greeks said that the Ruach HaKodesh (which ‘comes upon’ or ‘rests upon’ a person) ‘flowed into’ or ‘in-dwelt’ a person and was the source of the good behaviour. Then they could state that the Godliness was down to (holy) God and not to the (depraved) person.
Just so we are completely clear about this, it is not the Greek philosophical thinking that requires an intermediary but rather the Greek theological thinking that manifests itself after the Church began to embrace and combine Platonism and Scripture. Furthermore, that the Jews believe there are 3 parts to the soul or that the sages teach the nefesh and the ruach function to move a person toward either yetzer hara or yetzer tov is not necessarily biblical (textual) either, but an interpretation of the use of the three terms, nefesh, ruach and neshema. The connection to locale or community is quite interesting and useful. Thanks.
Thanks, Skip – that’s the problem with writing quickly late at night, and in trying to express unusual ideas in simple terms. I had written ‘parts’ of the soul to try to imply that there was no actual division into bits, but obviously that wasn’t clear enough. The terms are, indeed, descriptions of ‘activity’ or ‘purpose’. I should also say that I didn’t mean to suggest that the “nefesh and the ruach function (to) move a person toward either yetzer hara or yetzer tov” – that wasn’t what I was saying… I’ll try to clarify that when I get a moment, but it’s going to be a busy week!
No Problem. We have all the time God will give us.
“It seems clear …. the culmination of the declaration made by Moshe in Deuteronomy wherein the hearts of the faithful would be circumcised!
Hi Drew,
Thanks for sharing, this is great stuff.
In fact, it makes my day 🙂
But maybe you could provide a little more detail on exactly what Moshe meant in Deuteronomy “wherein the hearts of the faithful would be circumcised!”
Thanks,
Mike
Shalom Michael,
Moshe declared how the covenant was full of blessing and of course those nasty curses! Moshe also declared all that would happen to Israel … but then indicated that one day The LORD would restore HIS people and circumcise their hearts (rather than the flesh)!
Seems to me that what was being revealed through Moshe was a time when believers would live out G_D … experience G_D not as a function of mentally abiding by the Torah but by being in dwelt by Ruach HaKodesh!
Therefore we experience the wonderful fulfillment of Shavu’ot (the traditional giving of Torah on Mt. Sinai) by the gift of Ruach HaKodesh on Pentecost (Shavu’ot).
30,4 If any of thine that are dispersed be in the uttermost parts of heaven, from thence will the LORD thy God gather thee, and from thence will He fetch thee. 30,5 And the LORD thy God will bring thee into the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou shalt possess it; and He will do thee good, and multiply thee above thy fathers. 30,6 And the LORD thy God will circumcise thy heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.
Look at the shift in matters: Moshe tells all Israel “to” love the Lord with all the heart, soul, etc. … however in the verse provided herein … G_D will be providing the necessary heart to actually comply with the mitzvot. G_D will be providing this to us all because of YESHUA!
It is a fulfillment because despite Israel’s desire to abide within the covenant … we as people can’t on our own! But with Yeshua abiding on our behalf … we can do it … because it is HIM within us Who is doing it! As YESHUA taught us … without HIM we are powerless!
“G_D will be providing the necessary heart to actually comply with the mitzvot. G_D will be providing this to us all because of YESHUA!”
So, Yeshua’s death provided us with the heart transplant we desperately needed so we could really live, and so that we could truly LOVE God. I like how you put that! It’s good to see your comments again!
As I understand it, circumcision was done on the eighth day to indicate that Israelites were born into a covenant relationship with God.
Jesus said virtually nothing about circumcision because, I’m assuming, Jesus took circumcision for granted.
Paul was a Jewish Rabbi who seems to have had ambivalent feelings about circumcision for gentiles.
I’m not sure what “circumcision of the heart” means.
To circumcise the heart might look something like this: hear t (Just kidding)
Typically we don’t think in terms of “cutting” metaphors, and the “heart” is a metaphor.
As far as I know, Paul was a man, a Jewish Rabbi, maybe the first model of the new man.
In my view, Paul had an issue when it came to converting male gentiles to the Way.
For most adult males, baptism would make sense, but circumcision would be a showstopper.
As a leader/teacher he has to say something.
So Paul interprets scripture.
But I don’t think he can change it.
Maybe Paul’s view of circumcision is like Torah. When we choose to be under the rule and reign of God through the sacrifice of Yeshua, we choose to obey Torah. Torah is not the way to be saved, but is more of an indication of obedience and faith in God’s way of doing things. Although, I will agree that circumcision would certainly seem to me to a far more painful (and deliberately, well-thought out) choice than simply obeying the laws of God (at least for a man).
It’s almost like the mirror of the issue today. Today many claim to be Christ followers but don’t obey Torah. I still think that God works through some of these people in powerful ways. (Of course, I could be quite wrong on that, too.) Maybe then not every man claiming to be a Christ follower got circumcised. Yet, God worked through them as well.
I don’t know. Somehow it’s much easier to see the picture in my mind than to express it on “paper.” That’s sort of ironic for an English/Literature teacher. 🙂
“So Paul interprets scripture. But, I don’t think he can change it.” Good point Michael.
Paul had enough confidence in the authority of the Scripture and the power of the Almighty to know that He chooses those who are His and knows who will obey in His perfect timing. I think that is why Paul is cutting the gentiles some slack because he knows the mercy and grace of God provides what is needed. Paul’s experience ran somewhat parallel to that of the gentile converts, in that neither knew or recognized Yeshua as Redeemer until they were confronted with His Spirit. Paul’s was a life of extreme obedience from zeal, yet lacking knowledge of Yehsua while the gentiles chased after idols. The fact that Moses was being taught in the synagogues was enough to convict the hearts of followers who were given the ears to hear. Newborn babes have to learn it all from scratch and you do not spank a baby for his ignorance or lack of control of bodily functions. As the baby grows and matures, he/she learns to conform to the norms and values of the surrounding society. It appears to me this is also the case with true disciples and followers of Yeshua. Depending on the environment, converts may grow up in false teaching but something draws them away from darkness to the light of the Way. Paul is a perfect example of this. I find this to be very interesting: many Christian preachers admire Paul, thinking he was a convert to Christianity and yet his teachings are so misunderstood. How mighty is our God who is able to cause us to walk in His light! Such a marvelous mystery! Hallelujah!!
I do, however, like the “put on”s “put off”s of the Scriptures. They could also be noted as the do’s and don’ts. OR they could be cited as expounding the law. Not that they are necessarily easily mastered. These are the clothes of righteousness we are to wear as believers and followers. Many fellowships/relationships are destroyed because of this lack of knowledge and too many being “led by the Spirit” contrary to obedience of the Word. These are a few areas that many Christians seem to gloss over (along with the rest of the law) because “my boss is a Jewish carpenter” and He has only given us 2 laws (if any) to follow. One problem with those statements is that the King trumps a boss because bosses come and go, they are hired and fired just like any other man. BUT, the King rules and establishes everything, territorially, economically and socially. What He says goes and there is no disputing it without dire consequences and repercussions. The main problem however is our description of love. Our definition of love is not always how God defines it, is it?But then again, we try to make God fit our image rather than the other way around. May that not be said about us as we live our lives for Him. May the world see us as we are being renewed and as we don the garments of praise and the robes of righteousness.
Hi Mary,
Very well said, I couldn’t agree more.
We probably need the most lovingkindness and tolerance when we are farthest off the path.
Speaking of Paul and Moses, I just had a very unusual experience walking Max up in Ed Levin Park.
I was up in the hills behind Milpitas walking down to the lake from the dog park just before sunset.
It was a beautiful day and I was approaching the lake about to take Max on his walk around it.
When I encountered a man with a camera and a woman facing me with her back to the lake.
As I arrived at the path, the woman began speaking in a very powerful and beautiful voice.
While the man was recording this rather extraordinary event, I stood and watched with Max.
She was talking about the fact that Moses was being taught in the synagogues.
And how Paul was transformed from a persecuter of Christians to a follower of the way.
For a moment I felt like Max was Todo, I was Dorothy, and the woman was the wizard of Oz.
When they stopped recording, they introduced themselves and made a fuss over Max.
They were warm and wonderful people and for me it seemed to be an encounter with God.
This verse came to mind
ACT 2: The pouring of the Sprit
it was something visible.