Signet Rings

“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)

In the Old Testament book of the prophet Haggai, the final verses speak of the “signet ring” of God.  Through this prophet, the message to the governor of Judah at that time was that he would be like God’s signet ring, for he had been chosen by God.

In ancient and Medieval times, a signet ring was worn for several purposes. It bore marks which denoted the allegiance of the wearer to a certain person. For example, an official might wear a signet ring with the King’s insignia on it. Everyone who saw the marks on the ring would know the official was loyal to the King.

Sometimes official documents were authenticated by a circle of wax, into which the ring was pressed, leaving the imprint of the ring in the wax. This was an official seal and denoted the authenticity of a document and the approval of the owner of the insignia. Important messages were folded and sealed with the official seal, so that the recipient would know that the message contained inside had not been previously opened or tampered with.  Official documents and certificates today are often still marked with a decorative seal to denote their authenticity.

God is telling the governor, through His prophet Haggai, that he, the governor, would be used by God to display God’s power and authority throughout the land. The preceding verses describe how God is going to overthrow kingdoms and armies and royal thrones, but the kingdom of Judah has God’s blessing and “seal of approval”.

When we study the Bible, there are many parallel references contained therein between the Old and the New Testaments. What is begun sometimes in the physical in the Old Testament is extended into the spiritual realm more clearly in the New Testament era, after Christ has lived on Earth, died and risen again.

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession – to the praise of His glory. (Ephesians 1:13,14)

This is such a powerful passage. The apostle Paul, in his letter to the church at Ephesus is reminding us that we also bear a seal. We who have committed our lives to God bear His seal – not a ring, but the indwelling Holy Spirit that He gave to the body of Christ at Pentecost. We have His mark to say that we are loved by and love Him, are committed to Him and are loyal to Him. His Holy Spirit displays to all the world that we bear His favour, His power and authority. If anyone opposes us, they will be opposing Him.

We who bear the Holy Spirit need not fear the demonic realm or the attacks of sinful man. We do not become foolishly cocky or blasé about the evils of this world, but we have the blessed assurance of God’s protection and authority when it comes to spiritual warfare. Just as God assured the governor through Haggai that he would be successful in earthly battles, so we are assured of the victory of Christ in spiritual ones.

But more than this, the indwelling Holy Spirit has the power to draw unbelievers to Christ. Just as the seal proved the authenticity of a document, so the Holy Spirit authenticates Christ in us. There is no greater witness. Christ in us is real, He is loving, He is powerful, He is true. He is. And the world cannot deny Him, even when it tries to. He longs for the unsaved to come to Him. He does his utmost to draw them. Keep praying that the unsaved will see Him in your life, in your work, in your actions, in your words.

To God be all the glory. 

Not exactly signet rings....

but two beautiful engagement rings :)