Strength in His NameSýnishorn

YAHWEH MAGEN, THE LORD MY SHIELD

At age 32, Alexander the Great became a world conqueror. In studying the fighting tactics that made him the most effective military commander in the world, experts cite his use of the shield as one pivotal component of his victories. Part of their offensive weaponry, the shield was surprisingly small and fashioned to be attached to the arm, leaving both hands free to wield a spear.

To provide additional protection, a specialized unit called Shield Bearers were positioned on the outside flank to protect the main fighting force. Also carrying weapons, they could hold their position of protection, change direction or charge on the enemy. By utilizing these two forms of shields for offense and defense, Alexander overcame every enemy force.

Alexander’s approach was effective but not new. In the days of Abram, there were also two kinds of shields –And God pointed to the smaller to demonstrate how He protects His people.

Abram had just completed a military campaign to rescue his nephew Lot who had been taken captive during a territorial war. After the victory, Abram made an offering to the Lord by giving a tenth of all the plunder to Melchizedek the high priest, who then blessed Abram by praising God who delivered him from his enemies. Then the Lord spoke.

“After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, ‘Do not fear, Abram, I am a [Magen] a Shield to you; Your reward shall be very great.’” (Genesis 15:1)

At the end of this victorious offensive battle, where Abram would have been vastly outnumbered, God chose to give a new revelation of Himself. “I am a Shield.” There were two varieties of shields in Abram’s day, the large, very heavy shield that covered the whole body and could form a defensive wall when joined with others – it was called a sinna; and then there was the smaller more mobile hand-buckler, called a magen. Both were important, but in calling Himself Abram’s Magen, it was clear God wanted him to understand that He moved forward with Abram. A nomad in the desert, with no fortress, no walls for protection, and small numbers in his camp, God was Abram’s traveling Shield enabling him to go forward, knowing the Lord went with Him as he advanced.

As a soldier, David understood the importance of going on the offense, and he too was outmatched militarily; so, he depended on the protection of God not just as His Fortress and Stronghold, the places of retreat, but as Yahweh Magen, the advancing ever-present God who shields. For these ancients, a literal shield had to be capable of absorbing the blows from swords and stone, giving protection from flaming darts and torches, and providing a place of refuge. Yahweh Magen was giving the assurance that those who stand behind Him are helped both offensively and defensively. He offered protection to take the blows so His people were freed to go forward in obedience. Because David experienced the reality of this, he could include this name in his song praising God’s strong names.

“The Lord is. . . My Shield…” Psalm 18:2

God has not changed. We can also know Him as Magen who will faithfully stand between His own and the enemy, one Paul clearly identifies.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. …16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” (Ephesians 6:10-16)

The psalmist declares that “(God’s) truth is a shield and a buckler.” (Psalm 91:4) and truth Jesus said, is His Word (John 17:17). That means that through both His presence and His Word, God becomes a shield for His people, defensively against the antagonism of Satan’s attacks and offensively that we might go forward into a hostile world to make Him known. He is Yahweh Magen, the Lord, My Shield.

SO WE CALL ON HIS NAME

Yahweh Magen, because you are My Shield, I will not fear the attacks of the enemy. Your Word is able to shield my mind and heart to withstand every assault. Lead me forward with confidence as I take the Light of your Truth into the dark and hostile world. Where I have fallen back or where I have stalled in fear, feeling alone, give me your confidence to advance in faith knowing you are My Shield.

REFLECT

Because God revealed this, in what area have you stalled or fallen back do you need to go forward in faith?

Continue your discovery of the strong names of God on Day 7.