Topical Bible: Iron: Taken in War, often Dedicated to God

◄ Iron: Taken in War, often Dedicated to God ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Iron, a significant metal in biblical times, was frequently associated with warfare and the spoils thereof. Its strength and utility made it a valuable asset in ancient conflicts, and it was often dedicated to God as a symbol of victory and divine favor.

Biblical Context and Usage

Iron is mentioned numerous times throughout the Bible, often in the context of warfare and conquest. The Israelites, like many ancient peoples, recognized the strategic importance of iron in crafting weapons and tools. The Philistines, for instance, were noted for their advanced ironworking skills, which gave them a military advantage over the Israelites (1 Samuel 13:19-22).

Dedication to God

The dedication of iron to God is a recurring theme, reflecting the belief that victory in battle was granted by divine intervention. In the aftermath of a victorious campaign, the spoils, including iron, were often consecrated to God as an act of gratitude and acknowledgment of His sovereignty.

One notable instance is found in the account of King David's conquests. David dedicated the spoils of war, including iron, to the Lord. In 1 Chronicles 22:14, David speaks of his preparations for the temple, saying, "I have taken great pains to provide for the house of the LORD 100,000 talents of gold, 1,000,000 talents of silver, and quantities of bronze and iron too great to be weighed." This dedication underscores the belief that all victories and their resultant spoils were ultimately gifts from God.

Symbolism and Significance

Iron, as a symbol of strength and durability, also carried spiritual significance. It represented the unyielding nature of God's will and the steadfastness required of His people. The use of iron in the construction of the temple and other sacred objects further emphasized its role as a material worthy of divine service.

In Deuteronomy 8:9, the Promised Land is described as "a land where you will eat food without scarcity, in which you will not lack anything, a land whose stones are iron and out of whose hills you can dig copper." This description highlights the abundance and providence of God, with iron serving as a metaphor for the strength and stability He provides.

Conclusion

The biblical narrative presents iron as both a practical resource and a symbol of divine favor. Its dedication to God following military victories reflects a worldview in which all aspects of life, including warfare, are under the purview of the divine. Through the dedication of iron, the Israelites acknowledged God's hand in their triumphs and His rightful claim to the fruits of their labor.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Joshua 6:19,24
But all the silver, and gold, and vessels of brass and iron, are consecrated to the LORD: they shall come into the treasury of the LORD.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

God, the All-Seeing One
... or has been plunged into hell, dragged down by iron chains to wait in ... There is a
story told of the American War, that one of the prisoners taken by the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/god the all-seeing one.htm

God, the All-Seeing One
... or has been plunged into hell, dragged down by iron chains, to wait in ... There is a
story told of the American War, that one of the prisoners taken by the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/god the all-seeing one.htm

Righteous Hatred
... are we to proclaim an utter and entire war of extermination. ... to God that your sin
may be taken away, and ... his hands had been pierced with rough iron nails, and ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/righteous hatred.htm

Indwelling Sin
... your tongue." Some insinuation of Satan has taken fire, like a ... but the Canaanite,
with chariot of iron, will attempt ... you as ever; here will be a war carried on ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/indwelling sin.htm

The Memorable Hymn. "And when they had Sung an Hymn, they Went Out ...
... who has his full strength about him"taken out to ... bricks made without straw, and of
the iron furnace; but ... Behold, He comes, all glorious from the war: as we ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/till he come/the memorable hymn and when.htm

The Shameful Sufferer
... of his race; he would never provoke a civil war, and yet ... the story of an English
king, who was taken out by ... melt a rock, and make a heart of iron move; that ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the shameful sufferer.htm

The Polity Settled by Moses; and How He Disappeared from among ...
... unless any one can show that they have taken bribes, to ... together, and there be no
instrument of iron, let him ... land should be full of weapons of war from their ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 the polity settled.htm

Weak Hands and Feeble Knees
... bathe their wounds, and cover them from the storm of war. ... his hand refuses to clutch
it with an iron grasp ... You have not taken God at his naked word, and trusted ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/weak hands and feeble knees.htm

And ii.
... the characteristic feature of the captives taken in war, show how ... ii.12, 13, is supposed
to have taken place ... that height, in a moral sense, is often ascribed to ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap i and ii.htm

Christ About his Father's Business
... though often in the roughest, coarsest manner, with iron gauntlets on ... and some of
you have taken solemn vows ... as good soldiers of Christ, we ought to war a good ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/christ about his fathers business.htm