Two New Pieces of the Armor of God

During our Family Scripture Study tonight, I learned of two new pieces of the armor of God of which I had not previously known.

Isaiah 59:17 For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak.

We already knew about the breastplate of righteousness and the helmet of salvation, but the clothing of vengeance and the cloak of zeal are new.

The clothing of vengeance doesn't pertain to us. The "he" in this verse is Jesus Christ, and as we read in Romans 12:19, vengeance is the Lord's.

Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

The cloak of zeal, however, may be useful to us. Oxford defines zeal as "great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective," which is something we can all strive to have. It can be difficult to maintain such enthusiasm, just as it's difficult to constantly maintain the breastplate of righteousness, but it's a worthy goal to strive for.

It was interesting to learn of these two new (to me) pieces of the Armor of God, especially the cloak of zeal. I hope to gain more energy and enthusiasm in my cause, so I too can be "clad with zeal as a cloak" and thus more fully do as directed in Ephesians 6:11 and "put on the whole armour of God."