Saturday 2021.03.13
Reading from the Apocrypha - Wisdom Chapter 5
The armour of God described in the Apocrypha in Wisdom 5:17 - 20, bears similarities with the armour of God described in the New Testament in Ephesians 6:13 - 17.
Wisdom chapter 5, mentions the following:
- righteousness as a breastplate
- judgment as a helmet
- holiness as a shield
- wrath as a sword.
Similarly, Ephesians chapter 6 mentions:
- the breastplate of righteousness
- helmet of salvation
- shield of faith, and
- the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God.
Was the Apostle alluding to Wisdom chapter 5 when he wrote his exhortation to the disciples at Ephesus?
Wisdom 5:15 - 20 LXX
15 But the righteous live for evermore; their reward also is with the Lord, and the care of them is with the most High.
16 Therefore shall they receive a glorious kingdom, and a beautiful crown from the Lord's hand: for with his right hand shall he cover them, and with his arm shall he protect them.
17 He shall take to him his jealousy for complete armour, and make the creature his weapon for the revenge of his enemies.
18 He shall put on righteousness as a breastplate, and true judgment instead of an helmet.
19 He shall take holiness for an invincible shield.
20 His severe wrath shall he sharpen for a sword, and the world shall fight with him against the unwise.
