Exodus: The Lord Is My Banner! Exodus 17:8-16

Call to Worship

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmLibVd1HJ8 The Blessing Song, Dennis Jernigan

Psalm 58 NIV

For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” Of David. A miktam. 1 Do you rulers indeed speak justly? Do you judge people with equity? 2 No, in your heart you devise injustice, and your hands mete out violence on the earth. 3 Even from birth the wicked go astray; from the womb they are wayward, spreading lies. 4 Their venom is like the venom of a snake, like that of a cobra that has stopped its ears, 5 that will not heed the tune of the charmer, however skillful the enchanter may be. 6 Break the teeth in their mouths, O God; Lord, tear out the fangs of those lions! 7 Let them vanish like water that flows away; when they draw the bow, let their arrows fall short. 8 May they be like a slug that melts away as it moves along, like a stillborn child that never sees the sun. 9 Before your pots can feel the heat of the thorns— whether they be green or dry—the wicked will be swept away. 10 The righteous will be glad when they are avenged, when they dip their feet in the blood of the wicked. 11 Then people will say, “Surely the righteous still are rewarded; surely there is a God who judges the earth.”

Prayer

Opening Hymn

Announcements:

Remarks about Psalm 58

Harvest Celebration Dinner will be a week later this year. We are combining it with our Hanging of the Greens service. We have lots of wonderful things planned for that day. First, we will have our Hanging of the Greens for the first part of the service. This will be followed with our annual visiting Christmas choir. Then we will close with our harvest potluck.

The first Sunday night in December we will have the Taste and Sounds of Christmas. More information will be coming regarding that.

The Christmas Food Boxes are in jeopardy of not happening this year. I am the last of the leadership for that and I am unable to do it by myself. Unless we can find someone to coordinate this effort, it will not be happening this year. If you would like to know what is involved and may be willing to coordinate this effort, please talk with me today. Unless we have someone come forward early this week, we will be canceling the turkeys that were previously ordered and calling off this effort. I have been trying to organize a meeting with other churches but have had very low response and those who did respond are not feeling they can give time in a leadership capacity.

Deuteronomy 31:14–18 NIV

14 The Lord said to Moses, “Now the day of your death is near. Call Joshua and present yourselves at the tent of meeting, where I will commission him.” So Moses and Joshua came and presented themselves at the tent of meeting. 15 Then the Lord appeared at the tent in a pillar of cloud, and the cloud stood over the entrance to the tent. 16 And the Lord said to Moses: “You are going to rest with your ancestors, and these people will soon prostitute themselves to the foreign gods of the land they are entering. They will forsake me and break the covenant I made with them. 17 And in that day I will become angry with them and forsake them; I will hide my face from them, and they will be destroyed. Many disasters and calamities will come on them, and in that day they will ask, ‘Have not these disasters come on us because our God is not with us?’ 18 And I will certainly hide my face in that day because of all their wickedness in turning to other gods.

Worship Set

James 1:2–12 NIV

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. 9 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. 10 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business. 12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

Prayer Chorus

Prayer

Worship through the Word:

The Lord Is My Banner!

P.S....Post Script. Have you ever written a letter, signed off on it and then thought to include one last thought? In such cases, we add p.s. and write a final note.

Today I am adding a p.s. to last week’s sermon. As I have had my daily devotions this week, it came to my mind that I needed to add one thing to last week. My devotions were not on this subject at all. It was just as I meditated that this thought came.

Last week I was talking about God’s healing, and I mentioned that we do not become instantly righteous when we are saved. I said there are habits and attitudes that God over time works to reveal to us. As we acknowledge them, He leads us and heals us of the circumstances that promoted those in our life, therefore removing the unhealthy response we project.

What I said is true, however, there is a New Testament blessing that we live under despite our imperfection. I may not be perfect in my actions (habits and attitudes), but by God’s standard I stand righteous before God, despite my weaknesses because I live under the righteousness of Jesus Christ. His righteousness is accounted to me since His blood was shed on my behalf.

So, why do I need to concern myself with those habits and attitudes that are not aligned in righteous living you may ask?

There are two reasons why they should concern us.

First, if we truly love God, we should desire to please Him. When we love someone, we like to do things that make them proud of us. We like to do things that please them. That means that even though I stand under the righteousness of Christ, I still make every effort to do right myself.

Second, our lives here are on earth are made better by our obedience to God. Those negative things in our life still build walls between us and God. We draw closer to God as we work to overcome them with the power of His help. We also suffer other consequences from those poor habits and attitudes. So, with God’s help, we work to make better choices and to take note of those things God brings to our attention to bring healing and more righteous responses for our part.

I thank God every day for His love and patience with me. I am blessed to know that Jesus’ righteousness is credited to my account, and that makes me even more determined to do my part to persevere in becoming more like Him each day.

Today, we find Israel facing a new test. This one, they will need to take part in the answer, yet again, God is the one who delivers them.

Look with me at Exodus 17:8-16.

Exodus 17:8–16NIV

8 The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. 9 Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.” 10 So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. 11As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. 12 When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. 13 So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword. 14 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it, because I will completely blot out the name of Amalek from under heaven.” 15 Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner. 16 He said, “Because hands were lifted up against the throne of the Lord, the Lord will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation.”

The Word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.

Pray

I. God is Our Defender!

Last week, we listed many wonderful benefits God provides for His people. Today we will add one more. God is our defender!

When Israel left Egypt, they were physically, emotionally, and spiritually unprepared to do battle against Egypt. Now however, they are physically strong. The travel, the food God has provided, the times of rest, have all helped them physically. They have also become more independent minded from Egypt, and they have witnessed what God can do.

It came about that while they were resting at Rephidim, that they came under attack by the Amalekites. So, let us look at...

A. The Amalekite Threat v 8

The Amalekites were distant relatives of Israel, and their parting was not necessarily friendly.

You see, the Amalekites were the descendants of Esau. Time does not always heal all wounds. In fact, often descendants carry forward what is believed to be injustices of the past. Think, the Hatfield’s and the McCoy’s kind of hostility.

Now, if you remember much of the story of Jacob and Esau, you may be thinking it ended on a good note. Jacob returns to his homeland fearful of Esau exacting revenge. Jacob sends ahead of him many offerings to Esau as gifts, a conspicuous plea for mercy before Jacob arrives.

Esau complies. The brothers meet, hug, and cry. They seem to part amicably, but do they? Jacob’s last words to Esau are for Esau to go on ahead of him and he will follow, but Jacob doesn’t follow. In fact, there is no evidence that Jacob ever went to see Esau after that.

Then there is the fact that Esau was to have the greater portion of grandpa’s estate, but it was stolen by Uncle Jacob. Even though God blessed Esau with his own wealth, family members often look at other things they feel should have been theirs. Things haven’t changed much. We see the same issues today.

The Israelites are now returning after hundreds of years. They will be traveling through Amalekite land. The old animosities begin to churn, and the Amalekites decide they will not allow the Israelite vermin a chance to steal anything further from them. At least, this is the supposition I am going with. :-) So, they attack Israel.

Once again, Moses demonstrates his faith in God. He tells Joshua.

Exodus 17:9NIV

9 … “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.”

Up to this point, the enemy that Israel has been fighting is an internal enemy. It was their own sinful natures they have been battling with, but now they are about to battle with an external enemy. This time, they will fight, but the outcome is still in God’s hands. So...

B. Moses Intercedes for Israel (v 9, 11, 16)

Exodus 17:11NIV

11 As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning.

It is interesting to hear the various reasons people give for Moses standing with his hands outstretched toward the heavens, but to me it is obvious. He was praying. He was interceding, pleading Israel’s case before God asking for His intervention and power to help them win the battle.

Here again is another spiritual battle. God had promised Israel to bring them to the land He has promised their descendants, but Satan does not want God to succeed. He will do all He can to prevent it. Who do you think egged on the complaining? Satan did. Now Satan has stirred up some 500–600-year-old offenses to create a war to stop Israel. How does one deal with spiritual battles? Prayer and standing with your hands lifted high was always the posture of prayer for Israel.

Look at these accounts of prayer from scripture.

Exodus 9:29NIV

29 Moses replied, “When I have gone out of the city, I will spread out my hands in prayer to the Lord. The thunder will stop and there will be no more hail, so you may know that the earth is the Lord’s.

1 Timothy 2:8NIV

8 Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.

Exodus 17:16 even alludes to this action of Moses on the hill being prayer.

Exodus 17:16NIV

16 He said, “Because hands were lifted up against the throne of the Lord, the Lord will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation.”

God is the answer to this problem just like He was the answer to their previous problems. So, Moses intercedes for Israel while she fights this battle. When the battle is over, there will be no doubt that God was responsible for their victory since they could see the response to Moses hands being lowered or held high.

Just like Moses interceded for Israel, (not just this time, but many times throughout their journey), Jesus intercedes for us. Once again, this Old Testament account reveals what God will provide for us through Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:34NIV

34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

Hebrews 7:23–25NIV

23 Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; 24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

Jesus does not just do this periodically, but every day Jesus is interceding on your behalf for whatever comes your way.

Of course, Moses was not Jesus. He was a Jesus archetype, but Jesus as we just saw is alive forevermore and always capable of sustaining that intercession on our behalf. Moses was old and frailer. His spirit was willing but his body was weak, so he needed help. And here we see,

C. The Power of Corporate Worship (v 11-12)

Exodus 17:11–12NIV

11 As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. 12 When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset.

Aaron and Hur witnessed Moses weakening and they came to his aid. They propped up his arms when he grew tired. They probably were sending prayers of their own God’s way, both on behalf of the battle below and for strength for Moses.

Did you know that prayer is a form of worship? When we bring our concerns before God’s throne, we are lifting our requests in worship acknowledging that God has the answers and the power to act on those requests.

We are powerful as we stand with God, but as frail humans, we need the help and encouragement of others. We are always stronger when we are with others, and we are less susceptible to sin when we choose Godly friends.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 NIV

12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

It would have been an encouragement to those below to see these three men interceding on their behalf. Moses would have been encouraged to know he was not alone as he fought the good fight standing in that need of prayer.

Never underestimate the strength and support you get from meeting with the body of believers at church.

D. The Weapons of a Godly War

Exodus 17:13NIV

13 So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.

We can too fast put too much stalk in our own ability. However, that day, it was not Joshua’s sword that won the true battle. It was God in answer to Moses’s prayer. We know this because they only succeeded when Moses’s hands were raised. When Moses’s hands dropped, the Amalekites were able to press their advantage.

The true sword of spiritual battle are the spoken words of Jesus Christ. Listen to this account in Revelation which demonstrates this.

Revelation 19:11–16 NIV

11 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. 13He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: king of kings and lord of lords.

This sword coming from his mouth is figurative. It is not a physical sword but the spoken word. Paul identifies it for us in Ephesians 6:17.

Ephesians 6:17NIV

17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

It was the spoken Word of Christ that brought all creation into being.

John 1:1–3NIV

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

It will be His spoken word that brings the final destruction to our world, and I have no doubt the new Heavens and earth will also be brought forth through His spoken word.

Nothing speaks more to God’s ultimate power than what we learn about His spoken Word.

Next, we see...

E. The Enemy of God’s People Are God’s Enemies (v 14, 16)

Exodus 17:14, 16 NIV

14 Then the Lordsaid to Moses, “Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it, because I will completely blot out the name of Amalek from under heaven.”…16 He said, “Because hands were lifted up against the throne of the Lord, the Lord will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation.”

God never tolerates those who take actions against His people.

Romans 12:17–19NIV

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.

Now, here I wish to point us back to verses we read earlier in the service. Psalm 58 I included not because it fit this account in Exodus, but because I felt we could relate to it during these days of political unrest. I read a Psalm each morning and this was the Psalm I read Tuesday morning. I sat down for my daily devotional time. My thoughts went quickly to the day’s elections. When I read this Psalm 58, I couldn’t help notice how well it fit my feelings on the elections taking place.

I remember when Barack Obama was first elected. I was in Pennsylvania at that time. There were so many people in distress certain that disaster would come to our nation over that election. Here is where I wish to remind you that no election outcome is in our hands. Do not get me wrong. We need to exercise our right to vote. I believe that is important and that God would have us do so as citizens in this land at this time. However, the true outcome is always what God wills. Sometimes they may go the way we hope and sometimes they will not, but we can be assured whatever the outcome, God has a purpose.

When the nation of Israel was obeying God, the enemy never had a chance. However, when the nation was not obeying God, God gave Israel into the hands of their enemy. In Deut 31 read earlier and in Moses final song in Deut 32, he foretells of Israel’s future punishment due to her lack of obedience. However, even as the nation was being punished, God’s obedient servants always excelled. People like Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. We see that God protects His people even when the nation is being punished. I am sure they faced some difficult times when the land was first invaded, and they were chained and brought to Babylon. Then the table turned for them and they ended up living in comfort as leaders of this foreign land.

Our nation is going in a direction away from God. It will suffer, however, as God’s people, we have no need to fear. We may face some difficulties, but God will help us to overcome them.

Now, we learn another name for God.

F. Jehovah Nissi, The Lord is My Banner (v 15)

Exodus 17:15NIV

15 Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner.

To get a feel for just how important this is, I want to show you a short clip of one of my favorite movies. This is a battle scene, so it is somewhat violent, but it really relates what I wish to demonstrate here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCE8jHLJe3g 2:05 (The Patriot)

In battle, different regiments often have standards that someone carries. These are held high for all to see. They give encouragement that all is still well, and the battle continues. It often leads the army in the direction they are to go.

Moses with his staff raised high was acting like that banner. When he was holding up the staff, the men fighting could look up there and see it lifted high and know all was going well. It gave courage and encouragement to push forward.

In a time of battle, King David wrote Psalm 60 about this banner of God’s.

Psalm 60:2–4NIV

2 You have shaken the land and torn it open; mend its fractures, for it is quaking. 3 You have shown your people desperate times; you have given us wine that makes us stagger. 4 But for those who fear you, you have raised a banner to be unfurled against the bow.

Conclusion:

As I prepare to bring this sermon to an end this morning, I want to conclude with this idea of God as our banner. Psalm 60 fits well our nation right now. Our land is being shaken and torn open. We are in desperate times, which is demonstrated by record number of those voting this election.

Since, I am writing this Tuesday, I do not have any idea of what the outcome of the election will be. It may go the way I hope, or it may not. Either way, I believe we are in for some tough times. So, allow me to give you some encouragement. You can profess God is your banner and here are four things that means for you.

God As Your Banner Means...

1. His Purpose Stands Firm.

In the video, the flag went down. The troops became confused and were fleeing in various directions. They were unsure of the battle, and they became discouraged. They began to abandon the hope. However, when the flag was lifted high and carried forward, the troops rallied. They found their courage and they took the battle to victory.

Things may seem like they are faltering in our nation. If we focus on those things, we can feel discouraged and like we are fighting a losing battle. However, our banner is not the American flag. It is Jesus Christ. If we keep our eyes focused on Him, we have hope and courage as we know the end of the battle is already won. Not only that, but we also know that the fighting gets most intense just before the end. We may very well be close to the end of this battle.

Hebrews 12:2NIV

2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

That is the glory we are all fighting for, and nothing can take that from us but ourselves.

Next, God as your banner means...

2. He is With You Through Every Trial

Last week we spoke of God as being ever-present. He stood before them on the rock, and He provided water. This water was more than something to quench their thirst. It was spiritual in nature giving a promise of eternal life.

When Moses stood before them on that hill with arms lifted in intercession, he was reminding them that God was ever-present with them. Whether the enemy is fighting us internally or externally, God is with us. His Spirit literally lives within us communing with us. There is no time He isn’t with us. He continual presence gives us strength.

Hebrews 13:5NIV

5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Third, God as your banner means...

3. His Provision Sustains You

No matter the shape of our economy, God will guide and provide for our needs. We are His people, and He will provide for us. In the wilderness, Israel had manna and quail literally from the hand of God.

Philippians 4:19 NIV

19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Often God does so through His people. The early church shared among each other. Those who had more gave to those who had less. At other times, God works through the miraculous to provide, like the missionary I spoke of last week who prayed for an onion and within minutes a truck load went by dropping one.

No matter what happens in future days whether they be higher prices, shortages, etc… We can be assured that God will provide. His banner over us assures us of our needs.

And finally, God as your banner means...

4. His Protection Brings Victory

The victory is already achieved. It was won when Jesus arose from death. Death and Satan can no longer lay claim on Him.

His banner over us assures Satan and death have no claim on us either. If we have placed our faith in Jesus and are following Him, our victory is assured as well.

This takes us to my postscript earlier. Jesus’ righteousness has been credited to our accounts. There is no threat that Satan can hold over us. We belong to Christ.

As you leave today, we can be thankful that even though we live in this world, we are not slaves to the systems of this world. We belong to Christ. He is our banner, and it is a banner that nothing can remove from before us.

Romans 8:37–39NIV

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.