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Let’s start with Isaiah before moving on to today’s lesson scripture from Psalm 119.  The scripture from Isaiah that I want to bring into the discussion is from chapter 49, in the first three verses of which, Israel is likened to a sword:

1 Listen to me, O coastlands, pay attention, you peoples from far away! The Lord called me before I was born, while I was in my mother’s womb he named me.
2 He made my mouth like a sharp sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me away.
3 And he said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified.” Isaiah 49:1-3 (NRSV)

Now for today’s lesson scripture from Psalm 119:

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
106 I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to observe your righteous ordinances.
107 I am severely afflicted; give me life, O Lord, according to your word.
108 Accept my offerings of praise, O Lord, and teach me your ordinances.
109 I hold my life in my hand continually, but I do not forget your law.
110 The wicked have laid a snare for me, but I do not stray from your precepts.
111 Your decrees are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart.
112 I incline my heart to perform your statutes forever, to the end. Psalms 119:105-112 (NRSV)

The Word of God is, in Ephesians 6:17, the “sword of the spirit”.  Israel is that sword, and it is through Israel that God will be glorified.  The word of God is the only truly offensive weapon mentioned in the “Whole Armor of God” section of the sixth chapter of Ephesians.  The word of God in Psalm 119 is the Torah – the law.  The Word of God – the ultimate achievement of Israel – is Christ.  The law can be seen as a weapon: to command obedience to a set of rules.  Or the law – as embodied in Christ – can be seen as a roadmap — a “way” to reconciliation with the Father.  Even more, it can be a way to please and worship the Father in joyful obedience – not fearful submission.  So, the “Sword of the Spirit”, when considered in this sense, is not a slashing, cutting, stabbing horror designed to end life, but a blade meant to cut through bonds that hold us in thrall to the “cosmic powers of this present darkness”, a beacon held before us like a commander’s sabre - pointing the way to Truth, to Righteousness and Salvation.

Well, anyway, that’s one thought.