Day 228 Swords of Iron – “Tactical Armor”
Chaim starts the video by broaching the topic of Hebrew Sages from ancient times, saying that they changed the world and affected the world down to the present day. Chaim also mentions the Hebrew University, which was established in Jerusalem even before the modern State of Israel was established. He also mentions King David and Moses and some of the other authors of the books of the Bible, as well as Jewish poets from the Middle Ages who were all instrumental in writing down important historical records and philisophical ideas.
Then he says he’d like to quote one of the Sages of Israel and he invites his viewers to guess which one he’s quoting.
He then recites some words of the Apostle Paul, written in his Epistles ot the congregation in Ephesus. Specifically, he quotes Ephesians 6:12-15 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
Chaim urges his viewers to take these words seriously and do whatever they need to do to STAND wherever God has placed them, putting on whatever armor they need to put on. He compares this to the protective equipment he’s wearing during his service in the IDF, starting with the belt that holds his pants up. He says that this is like the “belt of truth” described in the passage. He urges his viewers to stand for the truth wherever they go, especially since the truth is on Israel’s side.
He then compares the bulletproof breastplate he’s wearing (he takes a moment to thank viewers who donated to the Aliyah Return Center’s effort to equip soldiers with these breastplates) to the “breastplate of righteousness” described in the passage. He then points to his tactical combat boots (once again thanking donors who provided them) and compares them to the “the preparation of the gospel of peace: described in the passage.
He says that we must all have the message straight in our minds, that Israel is a part of God’s plan for the redemption of the whole world.
He then moves on to “the shield of faith” which he compares to believing in the promises God has given us about the future of Israel, even though the present situation includes many difficult circumstances. He asks his viewers to leave their email in the comments section of the video so he can send them the 64 Scriptural passages that pertain to Aliyah and the promises about the return of the Jewish people to their ancestral homeland.
Then, he makes a comparison between the tactical Kevlar helmet he’s wearing and the “helmet of salvation” mentioned in the passage. He says that this is like having confidence and optimism that God will save His people.
Then, he compares his weapon to “the sword of the spirit” mentioned in the passage, which is identified as the Word of God. He says that this is a reference to the fact that there are many Scriptures in the Bible which can be used to go on the offense in the Spiritual battles we’re fighting. He again brings up the Scriptural passages pertaining to Aliyah. He says that when we pray these verses in faith, and when we persevere in prayer, this is how we overcome.
The video concludes with two Israeli soldiers expressing their gratitude for donations to the Aliyah Return Center which provided them with the gear they needed to fight this war.
