There is an interesting story in chapter 22 of 1 Kings in the Old Testament featuring King Ahab, the most wicked and powerful king of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Ahab had married Jezebel who introduced the worship of Baal and Asherah to the Kingdom of Israel. Together Ahab and Jezebel sought to slay all the Lord's prophets and eradicate the worship of Jehovah from Israel. It was a very grim time in Israel's history.
After three years of peace with Syria, Ahab decided that he wanted to conquer the land of Ramoth in Gilead which he believed belonged rightfully to Israel. To strengthen his forces against Syria Ahab approached Jehoshaphat, King of Judah for an alliance. Jehoshaphat agreed but he wanted assurance from God that this was a good move so he asked Ahab to inquire of the Lord. Ahab gathered together his 400 'prophets' and asked if he should go against Syria to capture Ramoth-gilead. The prophets flattered him and told him to go for it and he will prosper because the Lord will deliver Syrians into his hand. Jehoshaphat who must have seen through these false prophets asked if there was a prophet of the Lord that they could also ask. Ahab replied there was one Micaiah but that he hated him because he always prophesied evil against him. Really??? Under Jehoshaphat's persuasion Ahab summoned Micaiah and put the same question to him. Micaiah replied: "I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd" (1 Kings 22:17) and then recited to him an amusing anecdote. He said he saw the Lord sitting on his throne with all the host of heaven around him and the Lord asked "Who shall persuade Ahab that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?" Several made different propositions and then one spirit came forward and said, "I will persuade him". When the Lord inquired how he proposed to do that, he answered that he will put a lying spirit in Ahab's 400 prophets who will tell him to go to battle. And the Lord agreed to this plan. This angered Ahab terribly and he ordered for Micaiah to be put into prison and be fed nothing but bread and water until he returns from battle in peace. Micaiah's only response was: "If you return at all in peace, the Lord has not spoken it by me!" (1 Kings 22:28)
Ahab and Jehoshaphat did go to battle with Syria. In his arrogance and self-importance Ahab devised what he thought was a clever plan, to disguise himself so Syrians would not know who he was on the battle field. This he did taking elaborate measures but he overlooked one thing - he did not wear a full armour. Once on the battle field a certain man randomly drew his bow and 'smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness' (1 Kings 22:34) wounding him without even knowing who he was. By the time the evening came Ahab had bled to death.
When Paul was imprisoned for the firs time in Rome he wrote a letter to the Ephesian saints in 61 A.D. reminding them that they were on a spiritual battle field fighting against 'the rulers of the darkness of this world' and admonished them to wear the full armour of God or they will not be able to stand (Ephesians 6:11-17). He named protective parts of the armour such as the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, being the word of God. At the start of this same letter Paul mentions 'the dispensation of the fullness of times' (Ephesians 1:10) making it clear to us of this dispensation that we too should take heed because the battle that began so long ago is still raging. In our need for protection, which parts of God's armour could we afford not to wear in our combat with the forces of evil? We cannot afford to choose which part of the armour we will wear and which we will ditch because it's 'too heavy'. A section or two is not enough. Almost all the armour will not do. Full protection requires full armour.
When the fiery darts of the adversary strike will they find an unprotected part of us to sink into or will they bounce off the armour that's in place? Will we conquer the enemy of all righteousness or will we bleed to death on the battle field?
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