Side Lights on Scripture: Foes Under the Foot

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THE monuments of Babylonia and ancient Egypt afford excellent side lights on Scripture. They show that the ancient nations used the very imagery to which we are accustomed in the words of the Bible. The accompanying diagram is taken from an Egyptian monument. It is the footstool of a king. Upon it are portrayed his enemies, Arabs and Ethiopians, which occupy the alternate rows of the design. The Arabs have beards, the Ethiopians none. The idea thus rendered is by no means uncommon, and the king is often represented with his foot upon the necks of his enemies. Such a word as “Sit Thou at My right hand, until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool” (Psa. 110 Heb. 10:1313From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. (Hebrews 10:13)), at once occurs to the mind. The next illustration is remarkable. It is taken from a mummy case, and represents the sandals of the deceased, upon which his enemies are portrayed. These men are bound, arms and feet, and each has a rope hanging down from his neck. They are absolutely in the victor’s power. Joshua, in the day of victory, bade his captains “Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings” (Josh. 10:2424And it came to pass, when they brought out those kings unto Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the captains of the men of war which went with him, Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings. And they came near, and put their feet upon the necks of them. (Joshua 10:24)), adding, “Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the Lord do to all your enemies against whom ye fight.” These old pictures are representations of actual occurrences.
There is a passage in the New Testament which is of very great importance, and which seems to derive a greater interest as we again look upon our illustration. It is this: “The God of peace shall bruise (or tread) Satan under your feet shortly” (Rom. 16:2020And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. (Romans 16:20)); so that we may say, “Fear not, nor be dismayed; be strong and of good courage.”
Our last illustration is of a very striking character. The conqueror’s feet stand upon the bows of his enemies. The bow is the weapon of strength. It was in ancient Egypt the grand offensive weapon, and was most efficiently handled. The conqueror’s feet repose upon the pride of the foe. The symbol is one which admirably expresses the absolute overthrow and subjection of adversaries.