Many soldiers carried shields in ancient times. The shield was very important. It helped protect the soldier from enemy swords and javelins.
In some ancient societies, the shield was a symbol of honor. A soldier was not supposed to drop his shield. He was not supposed to return from a battle without his shield. Lacedomia [ancient city near Sparta] was one of these societies. A Lacedemonian mother gave her oldest son the shield of his father. She said these words when she gave it to him: “This shield thy father preserved, do thou preserve it also or perish. Bring it back or be brought back on it.”
Greeks who lost their shield were put to death. According to them, only cowardly soldiers threw away their shields and ran from the battle.
This symbolism is used in Hebrews 10:35. “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.” The word for “confidence” in the Greek is a word meaning “frankness and boldness of speech.” This boldness of speech acts as a shield. It is a boldness in speaking about Christ. The Christian should never be ashamed to speak about Christ. The Christian should always be ready to speak in defense of the Christian faith (1 Peter 3:15).
The confidence or boldness of speech has a great reward. If the Christian is not ashamed of Jesus, Jesus is not ashamed of the Christian (Matthew 10:32-33).
Study your Bible. Learn all about Jesus. Learn what He wants you to do. Then, have confidence in Him. If any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to help you.
