Jewelry: Like a Signet Ring

In the book of Haggai, the Lord chose Zerubbabel and He made him like his signet ring.  Zerubbabel carried the mark of God; therefore, Zerubbabel was filled with the Holy Spirit.  Today, the Lord marks those who receive Jesus as Savior and Lord with the same Holy Spirit.  For there is only One Spirit (Ephesians 4:4-6 New International Version [NIV] 1984).   

Ephesians 1:13 NIV 1984

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….

I am marked by the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth.  The Lord gave me the Holy Spirit to guide me, to comfort me, and to instruct me in everything. When I receive the truth of God and obey the instruction of Jesus, I demonstrate true and genuine love of God.  I am like the signet ring of God.  For my obedient life is the mark of God’s truth in me.  The Apostle Paul speaks to this reality in

1 Corinthians 9:2 NIV 1984

Even though I may not be an apostle to others, surely I am to you! For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

I am the seal of Jesus’ lordship over me when I love him and perform what I learned from him.  When I love Jesus, I love the Heavenly Father who sent him, and I am filled with the Spirit of Truth Who is “in all through all and over all” (Ephesians 4:6 NIV 1984).  

Jewelry: God’s Signet Ring

The signet ring is part of a verification method which seals important documents with an impression that identifies these documents as genuine ("Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia", n.d., p. 1).   The signet ring also bears witness to the authority of the wearer.  In the Bible, individuals who wear signet rings have reached a high level of spiritual achievement and advancement by overcoming difficult and problematic situations and hardships in their lives (Ester 8:10; Haggai 2:23 New International Version [NIV]1984). 

In Genesis, the story of Joseph reveals the life of an individual who endured one hardship after another with an optimistic attitude.  Joseph’s unwavering faith in God and positive outlook worked in union with God, which opened doors of opportunity in the complex and challenging environments of prison.  After many years of working in obscurity and anonymity, God promoted Joseph to a position second only to Pharaoh Ruler of Egypt (Genesis 41:39 NIV 1984). 

Pharaoh symbolized Joseph’s unwavering faith, spiritual discernment and his noble position and authority by dressing him in royal jewelry and clothing which mirrored these mental attributes.

Genesis 41:42 NIV 1984

Then Pharaoh 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 neck.

The story of Joseph illustrates that in the midst of the most difficult and trying circumstances of my life, I can remain faithful to God and maintain my optimism—that is, and expectant attitude that God will deliver me from my current situation to a better place in life if I don’t give in to a negative mental attitude.

References

(1984). The Holy Bible: New International Version. Grand Rapids, Mich: Zondervan.

"Signet Ring." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 30 Aug. 2012. Web. 02 Sept. 2012. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Signet_ring.