Family and Group Protection
Insurance
Protection - individual, collectively
Protection for the family in the Bible
Locking our shields together
Requirements for Family / Group Protection
Some brave and experienced warriors from the tribe of Gad also defected to David while he was at the stronghold in the wilderness. They were expert with both shield and spear, as fierce as lions and as swift as deer on the mountains. - 1 Chronicles 12:8 (NLT)
2 Chron 25:5
Baby dedications over the last 12 yrs. Spoke Is 54:17 over every child.
Noah
It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before.…Hebrews 11:7 (NLT)
Ark was a safe place for his family and any others who chose
Israelites
Announce to the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each family must choose a lamb or a young goat for a sacrifice, one animal for each household. ….After slaughtering it……They are to take some of the blood and smear it on the sides and top of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the animal. But the blood on your doorposts will serve as a sign, marking the houses where you are staying. When I see the blood, I will pass over you. This plague of death will not touch you… Exodus 12:3, 7, 13 (NLT)
House was a safe place for the family and any others who chose
Rahab
When we come into the land, you must leave this scarlet rope hanging from the window through which you let us down. And all your family members—your father, mother, brothers, and all your relatives—must be here inside the house. - Joshua 2:18 (NLT)
House was a safe place for the family and any others who chose
Paul’s letters to the church:
Used the example of Roman soldiers - Ephesians and 2 Timothy - They had seen it.
Paul had been real close to it from prison in Rome.
Not trying to be like Rome.
But Rome utilised Kingdom Principles that made them invincible
Eph 6 - armour
Focusing on the Shield during this look at Protection from God
Single shield efficiency and group shield efficiency
Weren’t the first and not unique to Rome but they were famous for it
Testudo - a shelter formed by overlapping oblong shields, held by soldiers above their heads.
Start pics
raise their shields over the heads of all the others so that nothing but shields can be seen in every part of the phalanx alike and all the men by the density of the formation are under shelter from missiles. Indeed, it is so marvelously strong that men can walk upon it and whenever they come to a narrow ravine, even horses and vehicles can be driven over it.
The Roman army was a very organized force with a very clear hierarchy. The officers were in complete control of the soldiers and the soldiers were trained to do exactly what was expected of them.
The key feature that gave Rome an edge over other militaries was their strategy and formation training. The cooperation that soldiers were trained to show on the battlefield maximized the effectiveness of the legions.
Umbrella
Vercingetorix (Latin: [u̯ɛrkɪŋˈɡɛtɔriːks]; c. 82 – 46 BC) was a king and chieftain of the Arverni tribe who united the Gauls in a failed revolt against Roman forces during the last phase of Julius Caesar's Gallic Wars. Despite having willingly surrendered to Caesar, he was executed in Rome.
Because there was often turmoil amongst the fierce Gallic tribes, they became prime targets for Caesar’s divide-and-conquer tactics. In the 50s B.C., Caesar became the governor of the province of Gallia Narbonensis. Conquering the remaining independent parts of Gaul would bring in cash and make him look good. He invaded under the pretext of helping Gallic tribes allied to Rome fight off their rivals. And he’d soon come to meet the mighty Vercingetorix.
- more passionate. Pure passion won a couple battles against the Romans
Rome - soldiers more disciplined and obedient
First Requirement
Follow His Instructions
I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. - John 10:14, 27 (NLT)
Jesus and Peter talking
Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.” Peter asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?” Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me. - John 21:19, 21-22 (NLT)
Don’t follow the pack. Follow Jesus. Talk with Him.
To see the next requirement let’s look again at the Roman military
Banner or Standard
a flag indicating the presence of a sovereign or public official.
a flag, emblematic figure, or other object raised on a pole to indicate the rallying point of an army, fleet, etc
World History Encyclopedia
The Roman Standard (Latin: Signum or Signa Romanum) was a pennant, flag, or banner, suspended or attached to a staff or pole, which identified a Roman legion (infantry) or Equites (cavalry)..
The Standard was important as a rallying point, symbol of pride and, more practically, as a means of communication in battle. A trumpet blast would draw the attention of the troops to the Standard which would then direct which action should be taken on the field
Shield - faith, light, collective
Shield of faith works by love
This was not an army of individual heroes hungry for glory but one of cohesion, precision and massive striking power.
He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love [for love waved as a protecting and comforting banner over my head when I was near him]. - Song of Solomon 2:4 (AMPC)
Second Requirement
Humility and Love
The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.” - 1 Peter 4:7-8 (NLT)
In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are. - 1 Peter 5:5-9 (NLT)
Vaccinated - protection is not sufficient to keep you from getting it, worst case - can get sick and die of covid or vaccine complications, can spread it to others
Unvaccinated - unprotected and can get it, worst case can get sick and die, can spread it to others
But anyone who hates a fellow believer is still living and walking in darkness. Such a person does not know the way to go, having been blinded by the darkness.” - 1 John 2:11 (NLT)
We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.” - 1 John 4:16 (NLT)
Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. - 1 John 4:18 (NLT)
Extra Resources
A Mighty Fortress is Our God
Looking at a principle taken from Romans 14 re Covid discussions
Romans 14:1-5, 7,10-23 (AMPC)
As believers, we welcome everyone into our fellowship, not criticizing their opinions or pass judgment on their scruples or perplex them with discussions.
One person's faith permits them to get the vaccine, while another person’s faith believes they don’t need to.
Let not a person who gets the vaccine look down on or despise the person who abstains and let not the person who abstains criticize and pass judgment on the person who does; for God has accepted and welcomes them both.
Anyhow, who are we to pass judgment on and censure another's household servant? It is before their own master that they stand or fall. And they shall stand and are upheld, for the Master the Lord is mighty to support them and make them stand whatever the decision they take.
One person believes in taking the vaccine, while another person doesn’t. Let each of us be fully convinced satisfied in our own mind.
None of us live to ourselves, but to the Lord, and none of us die to ourselves but to the Lord,
So why criticize and pass judgment on your fellow believer? Or why do you look down upon or despise your fellow believer? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God.
For it is written, As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God acknowledge Him to His honour and to His praise.
And so, each of us shall give an account of ourselves, and give an answer in reference to judgment to God.
So then, let us no more criticize and blame and pass judgment on one another, but rather decide and endeavour never to put a stumbling block or an obstacle or a hindrance in the way of a fellow believer.
I know and am convinced and persuaded as one in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is forbidden as essentially unclean, defiled and unholy in itself. But none the less, it is unclean defiled and unholy to anyone who thinks it is unclean.
But if our fellow believer is being pained or their feelings hurt or if they are being injured by what we say, then we are no longer walking in love. We have ceased to be living and conducting ourselves by the standard of love toward them. Do not let what we say hurt or cause the ruin of one for whom Christ died!
Do not therefore let what seems good to us be considered an evil thing by someone else. In other words, do not give occasion for others to criticize that which is justifiable for us.
After all, the kingdom of God is not a matter of getting the vaccine or not getting the vaccine, but instead it is righteousness, that state which makes a person acceptable to God, and heart peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
He who serves Christ in this way is acceptable and pleasing to God and is approved by men.
So let us then definitely aim for, and eagerly pursue what makes for harmony and for mutual upbuilding, edification and developing one another.
We must not, for the sake of expressing our opinion undo and break down and destroy the work of God! Everything is indeed allowable, but it is wrong for anyone to hurt the conscience of others or to make them fall by what we say.
The right thing is, not to speak our opinions that make our fellow believers stumble or hurt their conscience or offend or weakens them.
Our personal convictions, on such matters, exercise them as in God's presence, keeping them to ourselves, striving only to know the truth and obey His will. Blessed, happy to be envied, is he who has no reason to judge himself for what he approves, who does not convict himself by what he chooses to do.
But the person who has doubts, misgivings, or an uneasy conscience, about taking or not taking the vaccine, and then does so, perhaps because of us, stands condemned before God, because he is not true to his own convictions and he does not act from faith. For whatever does not originate and proceed from faith is sin. For whatever is done without a conviction of its approval by God is sinful
https://bibleresources.org/scripture-for-our-children-grandchildren-and-great-grandchildren/
Roman Military Info
Roman Soldiers Facts for Kids
Introduction to the Roman Soldiers
The weapons used for training were intentionally heavier than the actual war equipment. They were also taught how to use their shields as weapons
Discipline was reinforced in the soldiers through various activities and they were trained to live a strict military life.
The oath-taking also meant that the soldier has denounced his civil rights. If he broke the oath in any way, he would be punished by the commander in the way he saw fit.
When a soldier took the oath he promised that he would stay at his post till the time he is not released by a senior.
He promised that he would never steal from the army nor lose his weapons. He would show courage on the battlefield and be ready to die for Rome
It was an offensive army taught to fight with great brutality, to destroy enemy forces and remove them as a threat, and to subjugate and ultimately assimilate their foes to expand the frontiers of Rome. It was the motive force behind the establishment of colonies from Britain to North Africa to Turkey