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I. THE WARRIOR. The fact that He is no less than a Divine being, although for a specific purpose He assumed our nature, distinctly intimates that He should be known as the mighty God; while the power that has been given to Him as the Mediator, and the wonders He has accomplished in magnifying the law, bringing in an everlasting righteousness, spoiling principalities and powers, and destroying him that had the power of death demonstrates that, with the greatest propriety, He may be styled "the most Mighty One." "War is the garb in which He often arrays Himself when He goes forth to scourge the guilty nations of the earth." In this respect He is styled "the Captain of the Lord's host"; and described as "a man of war," and then it is emphatically added "the Lord is His name." He is Jehovah; Jehovah Zabaoth, "The Lord of Hosts," to show that the armies of earth and the hosts of heaven are under His control. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords; the King of glory; the Lord strong and mighty; the Lord mighty in battle. In the contest to which He is called, He never can be mistaken, for "the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hid in Him"; and it is just as impossible that He can ever be defeated, for He is "the power of God," as well as "the wisdom of God."

II. HIS ENEMIES.

1. Those apostate spirits who are described as "principalities and powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places." Having fallen from their first estate, their minds are filled with implacable hostility to the Redeemer.

2. Those who persecute the followers of Christ.

3. Those who uphold any system of religious faith opposed to the spirit and design of Christianity.

4. All who have not yet experienced the renewing influences of the Spirit of God, and who demonstrate by their conduct that they are of the world lying in iniquity.

5. All who despise the institutions of grace.

III. HIS ARMOUR. As His kingdom is spiritual in its nature, the weapons by which its interests are to be maintained are also spiritual. The sword which Messiah girds upon his thigh signifies the Holy Scriptures, elsewhere styled "the sword of the Spirit." But the sword is not the only instrument with which the Saviour goes forth against His enemies. Like an ancient warrior He bears a bow and a quiver replenished with arrows, calculated to do terrible execution against the enemy. By these "arrows," we understand the announcements of the Gospel.

IV. HIS EXPEDITION AGAINST HIS ENEMIES,

V. HIS VICTORY.

1. Behold the conquest of the powers of darkness upon Calvary, when, according to ancient prophecy, the Saviour bruised the head of Satan and weakened the whole energies of his kingdom (Colossians 2:14).

2. Then, again, how terribly did the Saviour act towards the Jewish nation. The cup of their iniquity at length became full, and then their capital, in which they had maltreated the Lord of Glory, was consigned to destruction; they were driven forth as homeless wanderers throughout the world.

3. Notice the victory which Christ has gained in establishing His kingdom upon earth.

VI. CONCLUSION.

1. See the dignity and glory of the Captain of salvation.

2. Consider the danger of opposing Christ.

3. Contemplate the gracious character of the conquests of Christ.

4. Rejoice in the perfection and glory to which the Church shall be brought through the omnipotence and grace of Christ.

(Robert Cairns.)

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KJV: Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty.

WEB: Strap your sword on your thigh, mighty one: your splendor and your majesty.