"'On that day,' declares the Lord Almighty, 'I will take you, my servant Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel,' declares the Lord, 'and I will make you like my signet ring, for I have chosen you,'
declares the Lord Almighty." - Haggai 2:23
This time, when going to this place, I saw Jesus reach for my raised right hand, and put a ring on my finger!
I understood it to be a signet ring, like the ones kings gave people in the Bible when they were granting them their authority as king. Researching further, I learned that signet rings have been used since the Old Testament times as a personal signature or symbol of family heritage. Ancient kings used signet rings to designate authority, honor, or ownership. For example, there are several Bible references to signet rings:
- Genesis 41:42 - "Then Pharoah took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph's finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his check."
- Esther 8:2 - "The king took off his signet ring, which he had reclaimed from Haman, and presented it to Mordecai. And Esther appointed him over Haman's estate."
- Haggai 2:23 - "On that day," declares the Lord Almighty, "I will take you, my servant Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel," declares the Lord, "and I will make you like my signet ring, for I have chosen you."
- Luke 15:22 - "But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him (the prodigal son). Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.'"
What an empowering feeling to know that God has given me His signet ring, as a symbol of His authority, honor, and ownership of my life as a bride of Christ. All who accept Jesus as Lord are given this same ring, and like those who were given signet rings in the Bible, there is an expectation that we are to do something with that authority!
What are we supposed to do? In Matthew 10:1, "Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness." And Matthew 28:18-19 says, "Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.'"
We are called to GO, and with rings on our spiritual fingers, we are recognized as members of God's family with His authority as sons and daughters of the King. The next time you are nervous about talking to others about Jesus, or praying for someone's healing, imagine that ring on your finger, and the authority it represents. You are a child of the King - hold your head up high and show the world what that means!
"Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father." - John 14:12
-Adam Gellert
