The Color of Worship - Orange

 

Ligure, or Jacinth, is the ninth stone used on the breastplate of the high priest. On this stone is engraved the tribe of Issachar. It is mainly of an orange to orange-red shade, a brilliant bold orange. This gemstone is the eleventh foundation in the wall of the new Jerusalem. 

    The color of this stone is associated with warfare, though Issachar's name means, "God has rewarded me" or God Rewards". His blessing from Jacob states that he would choose to farm the land given him, have a desire to settle down and work hard to achieve stability, and have a willingness to serve others. In Judges 5:15, Issachar follows on the heels of Barak, as they both run together into the fray, into the battle. His lack of selflessness (desire to serve others and not himself) and determination to overcome Israel's enemies were a result of his blessing from Jacob. 

    1 Chronicles 12:32 tells us that 200 men of the tribe of Issachar were politically savvy: "they understood the times". They were aware of their enemies and prepared in advance how to defend Israel and how to attack Israel's enemies. They paid attention to the moral, political and cultural changes and challenges around them. These men of Issachar are men of spiritual discernment and godly wisdom. They are men of strategic thinking, always alert and watchful. They are the example of how the Christian should be prepared for spiritual warfare. 

Ephesians 6:10-20 describes the armament of the Spiritual Warrior in the order in which it is applied to us.  

1.  Be Strong in The Lord {Nehemiah 8:10; Psalm 28:7; Isaiah 41:10} and in the power of His might {Ephesians 1:19, 20; 2 Corinthians 12:9; Isaiah 40:29-31}, the tunic under our armor [vs 10]

2. Put on The Full Armor of God, which enables us to stand against the wiles (the deceptions and calculated treachery) of the devil. [vs 11-13]

3. Girdle ( belt, sash) of Truth around our waist, preparing ourselves for action[vs 14]

4. Breastplate of Righteousness, akin to the breastplate of the high priest, which for the believer symbolizes the righteousness of Christ over our hearts, making it possible for enter into God's holy presence [vs 14]

5. Shoes of the preparation of the gospel of Peace on our feet, showing our preparedness {1 Peter 3:15, 16} in obeying Christ's command in Mark 16:15 to "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every living creature." 

6. Shield of Faith which quenches fiery darts [vs 16] 

7. Helmet of Salvation [vs 17] {1 Thessalonians 5:8}

8. Sword of The Spirit, which is The Word of God [vs 17]

9. Praying always in The Spirit, Watching with perseverance [vs 18]

10. Speak the words which tell of the mystery (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) of the gospel in boldness, [vs 19]

~birth of Christ foretold-Isaiah 9:6, 

~Jesus is born - Matthew 2:1, 2. 

~Crucifixion foretold - Isaiah 52:14-Isaiah 53:9

~Jesus' trial and crucifixion - Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, John Luke 18:28-19:30

~Resurrection foretold - Isaiah 27:19, Matthew 16:21;26:32, Mark 8:31, Luke 9:22, John 5:24-29

~Jesus walks out of the grave - Matthew 28:1-8, Mark 16:1-9, Luke 24:1-12, John 20

11. Preach freely and boldly,  fearlessly and without care for one's self, but with the goal to share Jesus with as many people as we can before our days end [vs 20] 

             

Color of Worship-Orange-Yellow

JACINTH

1 Chronicles 12:8, 14

And of the Gadites there separated themselves unto David into the hold to wilderness men of might, and men of war fit for the battle, that could handle shield and buckler, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and were as swift as the roes upon the mountains...These were the sons of Gad, captains of the host: one of the least was over an hundred, and the greatest over a thousand.

Deuteronomy 33:20

And of Gad he (Moses) said,

Blessed be he that enlargeth Gad: He dwelleth as a lion,

And teareth the arm with the crown of the head.

Depending on which author you read, the precious stone used to symbolize the tribe of Gad is either Sardonyx/Sardine or Jasper. But if the stones were set in the ephod in order of birth, that would make Gad's stone a Ligure. Ligure has been translated as being Amber, Opal, Jacinth and Onyx. 

AMBER

ONYX

Still, while type of stone may seem to be obscure, color variations stay the same. Ligure, Gad's stone, is a bold orange-yellow, which is what we were seeking. 

His name means "A troop overcomes", troop here means 'good fortune' (Genesis 30:11). But the way it is phrased "a troop overcomes" also means 'an overcoming army, a victorious army'. 

In 1 Chronicles 12:14 we read that the least one of the sons of Gad had the ability to overcome one hundred enemy soldiers, while the greatest, or strongest, had the ability to take down 1,000 enemy fighters. A troop overcomes, indeed.

1 Chronicles 12:8 says that these men of Gad separated themselves unto David. What does that mean? They defected, switched sides, to enjoin themselves to David, who was on the run from King Saul. These were "men of might and men of war fit for the battle, that could handle shield and buckler (lance or spear), whose faces were like the faces of lions (fierce), and were as swift as the roes upon the mountains." 

Matthew Henry's Commentary shows us that these men of Gad who joined themselves to David believed that God was with him and came to support him in battle, not like the others who had previously joined him: men who wanted or needed to hide out with David. These men of Gad were strong, efficient warriors and they left their lands to help David fight his battles. I would imagine that just their decision alone encouraged David and strengthened him emotionally, as well. 

And so we come full circle to this Color of Worship: Orange (-Yellow). A bold color that SHOUTS! to the enemy that their Conqueror has arrived. A troop overcomes, indeed. We raise our Banner high, our Banner being JEHOVAH-NISSI THE LORD MY BANNER. We are overcomers when our faith and trust is fully resting on what God can do and not on ourselves. For we know that our only part in any battle is to have faith, and not very much faith either. 

 

Mustard Seed

 

Matthew 17:20 "Faith as small as a mustard seed". The smallest seed in the garden is the one that produces an abundance. The littlest amount of faith in God can move mountains, put enemies to flight, uproot trees, tear down walls and overcome temptations. 

Ephesians 6:10-12 "Finally, my brethren (brothers and sisters in Christ), be strong in The LORD, and in the power of His might. 

Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

A little bit of faith is being 'strong in The LORD and in the power of His might.

•  JEHOVAH-CHATSAHI THE LORD MY STRENGTH. (Psalm 27:1)
• JEHOVAH-GANAN THE LORD OUR DEFENSE and
• JEHOVAH-MAGEN THE LORD MY SHIELD (Psalm 89:18 for both)
• JEHOVAH-NAHEH THE LORD WHO SMITES (Ezekiel 7:9)
• JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH THE LORD IS PRESENT                   (Hebrews 13:5)
•  THE LORD IS MY HELPER  (Hebrews 13:6)
• JEHOVAH-'IZOA HAKABOTH THE LORD STRONG AND MIGHTY IN BATTLE (Psalm 24:8)

We are overcomers in every battle because The LORD fights our battles for us, when we let Him. The men of Gad knew that The LORD GOD was with David, so they left Saul's side of the battle and joined forces with David. We have got to stop fighting against God and join forces with Him! We must overcome the temptations that rise against us by THE WORD OF GOD spoken forth from our faith. Speaking Bible verses without backing them up with faith, is useless. Even the devil knows Scripture but it does him no good because he refuses to accept that GOD IS GOD. 

We overcome with THE WORD OF GOD and with The Power of The Holy Spirit of GOD. Both must be evident in our lives that we might truly be the people of God. Our might is pitiful; His might is powerful. Our strength is weak; His strength is magnified. 

Let us walk in victory every step of this journey we are walking with our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST! Let us walk by faith and not by sight. Let us walk in our integrity, in His light, in His WORD.