LOGOS TRADING POST - CHRISTIAN RINGS FOR MEN AND WOMEN

You are His and He is Yours

Luke 15:22 says, “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.’” In this verse taken from the story of the prodigal son, a ring is used in part to represent the approval God gives us when we repent and turn to him, a sign that we are truly Children of God. Whoever you’re buying a Christian cross ring for, always remember that you are His and He is yours. After all, God even says Himself, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” This is a fact for believers throughout all of history, and an important matter to remember. We belong to Him, so we should act like it. However, there is no one gentler, kinder, or fairer that we could hope to be held by. It is great news, then, that we belong to God, and the story of the prodigal son represents that belonging using a ring as its symbol.

Rings and the Story of God’s People

The role of rings in the Bible is often to represent authority, since most of the mentions of rings are of signet rings, the rings worn by kings or other important figures and used to stamp things with their authoritative seal. After all, the first mention of a ring to be worn on the hands is in Genesis 41. Once the time has come in Joseph’s story that he interprets the Pharaoh’s dreams and brings blessing upon Egypt, the Pharaoh responds in verses 38-42, which reads, “Pharaoh said to his servants, ‘Can we find a man like this, in whom is the Spirit of God?’ Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘Since God has shown you all this, there is none so discerning and wise as you are. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command. Only as regard the throne will I be greater than you.’ And Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.’ Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain about his neck.” In this case, the signet ring represents the authority we receive by God’s Spirit. Pharaoh recognized that authority in Joseph, and raised him up for it. Joseph’s story better than any other represents the promise of James 4:10, which says, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.”

Still, Joseph received legitimate authority from God’s Spirit within, but God remains the greatest authority, the king of all kings. A different story from the Bible that makes this clear is Zerubbabel’s. Zerubbabel was key to the rebuilding of Israel and the return of the exiles from Babylon, and thus he appears in several of the post-exilic writings of the Old Testament - Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai, and Zechariah, to be exact. However, setting our focus on the final statement of Haggai, found in Haggai 2:21-23, which records God saying, “Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I am about to shake the heavens and the earth, and to overthrow the throne of kingdoms. I am about to destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the nations, and overthrow the chariots and their riders. And the horses and their riders shall go down, every one by the sword of his brother. On that day, declares the Lord of hosts, I will take you, O Zerubbabel my servant, the son of Shealtiel, declares the Lord, and make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you, declares the Lord of hosts.” In this passage, God first emphasizes his authority over the kings and kingdoms, but then he declares that His authority is what is at work in Jerusalem, not Zerubbabel’s. Instead, Zerubbabel is the symbol of God’s authority, a tool with which God leaves His mark, just like a king would have used his signet ring.

Walking in Authority

Now, both of these Bible characters knew that God was the ultimate authority, but they had the confidence to step out and make a difference using that authority as well. Though you might have thought you were just here to look at Men’s Christian rings or Christian rings for women, we would also like to encourage you to look at each of our Christian rings and remember that you have the opportunity to walk in authority and make a real difference thanks to God’s Spirit. After all, let’s consider the sometimes overlooked parts of the Great Commission - Jesus Christ’s mission for us - the beginning and the end! Matthew 28:18 & 20 say, “Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me...And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Indeed, Jesus through His incredible sacrifice, glorious resurrection, and ascension to the right hand of the Father, has confirmed that all authority is His. However, He is also always with us, and it is in this sense that we can walk in great authority, the authority of Jesus! It is our hope, then, that as you consider our Men’s Christian rings and Christian rings for women, especially those styled after signet rings, you would remember that you have Jesus on your side, so you can walk in authority over any obstacle and any fear. We would turn your attention once more to the words of Jesus, this time in Luke 10:19, which says, “Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.”