Untitled Sermon (5)

God Directs our Steps

Lord directing Israel into difficult situations - prove HIs power and build their faith and grow their character.

Life’s journey more than reaching a destination - not growing in faith, knowledge of God, and godly character then wasting opportunities

arrived at Rephidem in wilderness of Sin - no water- God to test them again - God proved He could give them water and feed them but they quarel with Moses = hearts still in Egypt - guilty of ingratitude and unbelief

Every difficulty God allows - a test to make us better or a temptation to that can make us worse and its our own attitude that determines what it will be

If in unbelief we start complaining and blaming God - temptation will rob us of an opportunity to grow spiritually - trust God and let Him have His way - the trial will work for us and not against us

Romans 8:28 “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

James 1:12–15 “Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.”

When people are out of fellowship with the Lord and are angry and bitter - the usually want to do unreasonable things that only make the situation worse

People wanted to stone Moses Exodus 17:5 “Then the Lord said to Moses, “Pass before the people and take with you some of the elders of Israel; and take in your hand your staff with which you struck the Nile, and go.”

Moses called on God: Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.”

Rock = type of Jesus smitten for us on the cross 1 Corinthians 10:4 “and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ.”

Water = type Holy Spirit whose coming was made possible by Christ death, resurrection and ascension

John 7:37–39 “Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’ ” But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.”

God test His people in everyday experiences of life - used difficult experiences of life to strengthen our faith and mature our character

Israel’s faith = weak - thought God brought them to a place He couldn’t care for them.

Israel’s issue - not hearts to submit to the Lord

Joruney of Faith - experience trials invovling the necessities of life also face battles when our enemies attack

We are pilgrims and soldiers - we must occasionally endure hardships as we follow the Lord:

2 Timothy 2:3–4 “Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.”

The Enemy - v.8

Devil = greatest enemy 1 Peter 5:8 “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

used the world and flesh to oppose us Ephesians 2:1–3 “And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.”

God delievered Israel from Egypt - God’s people today have been delievered: Galatians 1:3–4 “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,”

We are in the world physically but not of the world spiritually John 17:14–16 ““I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. “I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.”

Amalekites = descendants of Jacob’s brother Esau - Gen. 36:12;Genesis 36:16 “chief Korah, chief Gatam, chief Amalek. These are the chiefs descended from Eliphaz in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Adah.”

Hebrews 12:16 “that there be no immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal.”

No record of Jews fighting in Egypt - once delivered from bondage - discovered they had enemies - so in our Christian life - When we identify with Christ - His enemies become our enemies

Luke 12:49–53 ““I have come to cast fire upon the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled! “But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished! “Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division; for from now on five members in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three. “They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.””

1 Timothy 6:12 “Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”

Need the battles of life to balance the blessings of life - become too confident and comfortable and stop trusting the Lord

The Strategy

Deuteronomy 25:17–19 ““Remember what Amalek did to you along the way when you came out from Egypt, how he met you along the way and attacked among you all the stragglers at your rear when you were faint and weary; and he did not fear God. “Therefore it shall come about when the Lord your God has given you rest from all your surrounding enemies, in the land which the Lord your God gives you as an inheritance to possess, you shall blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven; you must not forget.”

Attacked from behind = the weakest place in the camp - Amalek attacked after Israel experienced a great blessing in provision of the water from the rock

Satan and his demonic army - Ephesians 6:10–12 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

know what our weaknesses are and when we are not ready - attack - must watch and pray lest we enter in temptation - Mark 14:38 ““Keep watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.””

Enemy often attacks when God’s people experience special blessings - Lord can use those attacks keep us from trusting gifts than the giver

Joshua victory over Jericho - overconfident and defeated at Ai; Elijah defeat the fales prophets, became discouraged and wanted to quite; after the Lords blessing at baptism led into the wilderness to be tempted.

1 Corinthians 10:12 “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.”

The victory v.9-13

No evidence of them fighting any battles in Egypt - didnt have to fight - Lord fought their battles.

When Israel faced the Amalekites in battle at Rephidim it wasn’t with overwhelming force, an experienced army, or the best commanders. It was as a transient tribe of herdsmen escaping slavery in Egypt and travelling uncertainly to a promised land they hadn’t seen in over four hundred years. They were trespassers travelling through the lands of fierce fighting peoples. They travelled with women, children, herds, and all their possessions. The battle was for survival, for hope, for a future.

But they travelled with something else too, something else that no other nation on earth had – a pillar of fire, a cloud of smoke, the very presence of God. Israel did not fight its battles alone. No matter how inexperienced or overmatched they were they were never the underdogs. No matter how desperate they felt they were never at a loss. The great general, the perfect protector, the LORD was with them. The very name used in Scripture is Jehovah Nissi - "the Lord is my banner". Moses experienced both physical and spiritual victory with the Lord's banner waving over the battle.

Exodus 14:13 “But Moses said to the people, “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever.”

1 John 5:4 “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.”

First mention of Joshua - 200x times in - name means salvation

Knew the rigors of Egyptian slavery and aptitude for military leadership - made a General by Moses

He became Moses servant - Exodus 24:13 “So Moses arose with Joshua his servant, and Moses went up to the mountain of God.”

God’s policy = prove ourselves to be faithful servants before we can be promoted to leaders - Matthew 25:21 ““His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’”

Israel victory - 3 elements:

Power of God in Heaven

Skill of Joshua and the army

Intercession of Moses; Aaron and Hur on the mountain side

God could have sent angels to annihilate the enemy - but He uses Human instruments to accomplish His purpose

Joshua and army would trust in God and fight and Moses would trust God and intercede and God would do the rest and God’s name would be glorified

Customary for the Jews to lift hands in prayer Psalm 28:2 “Hear the voice of my supplications when I cry to You for help, When I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary.”

Psalm 63:4 “So I will bless You as long as I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.”

1 Timothy 2:8 “Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension.”

Moses held the staff of God in his hands - confessing total dependence on the authority and power of Jehovah - not Moses empowering Joshua but God!

As long as Moses held hands up - Victory

Why Moses grow weary - Deuteronomy 34:7 “Although Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died, his eye was not dim, nor his vigor abated.”

True intercession is a demanding activity

to focus your attention on God and pray without ceasing can weary you !

Colossians 4:12 “Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God.”

Joshua couldnt have succeeded with out Moses; Moses not prevail without support of Aaron and Hur not all can be a Moses; Joshua but can be Aaron and Hur - help hold hands up as we obey God

God is looking for people to who will share in battle and victory b/c they steadfast in prayer

Romans 12:12 “rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer,”

Isaiah 59:16 “And He saw that there was no man, And was astonished that there was no one to intercede; Then His own arm brought salvation to Him, And His righteousness upheld Him.”

Savior in heaven making intercessions for us: Hebrews 7:25 “Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.”

Holy Spirit intercedes - Romans 8:26–27 “In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”

Moses not build a monument for self - give all glory to God

Lord is My Banner

Banners are visible.

The whole point of a banner is to be seen, unmistakable and un-ignorable.

Banners are for those who raise them. They are an act of celebration, remembrance, or announcement.

Banners are for those who see them. They are an invitation and a gathering place. They summon and call. They attract passers by.

As you consider all this, you may see how God is the banner—Jehovah Nissi—of all who believe, all who are His followers, all who trust Him with the same faith Moses, Aaron, Hur, and Joshua trusted.

They hang from the rafters of arenas honoring champions. They are raised to honor soldiers returning from war. They adorn public places to celebrate occasions or people who deserve honor.

Banners are to remember and commemorate. Towns all over America raise banners on certain holidays every year to commemorate something dear to them – a patron, a product, a hero, a tradition, a holy day.

Banners are labels and signets. They announce names and images which people can recognize from a great distance. They show the location and identity of a business or event so people can navigate to it.

Rephidim has the plural ending ("-im") and means something like "resting places." For context keep in mind they depart from the area in which manna and quail are first given to them, that is, the Wilderness of Sin.

Then - Then is often used in the Bible as a "time sensitive" conjunction (see expressions of time) and marks a succession of time - thus the idea is "at that time" or "after that" or "next". It behooves the good inductive student to always stop and interrogate the text, asking for example "What time is it?", noting what is succeeding what. As you practice this "technique", you are developing a "questioning mindset" which (1) slows you down to savor the sweetness of the Word of God which is like honey, (2) allows you to actually meditate on the passage, the benefits of which are incalculable (Joshua 1:8-note, Ps 1:2-note, Ps 1:3-note).

First, where does the enemy attack? Ironically the name of the place, Rephidim, means "rests" (plural)! There is no true "rest" in the spiritual war with Satan, because the enemy never rests (cf 1 Pe 5:8+, Job 1:7 “The Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?” Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it.”” . 

Second, when is "Then?" When does Amalek attack? After the blessing then the battle! After the LORD had performed a miracle. “The blessing of the Lord is often immediately followed by a battle with the enemy!” (Anonymous) 

Rod Mattoon -- "The attack occurred about two months after the Exodus, toward the end of May or early in June, when the Bedouins leave the lower plains in order to find pasture for their flocks on the cooler heights. The approach of the Israelites to Sinai would of course attract notice, and no cause of warfare is more common than a dispute for the right of pasturage. The Amalekites were at that time the most powerful race in the Peninsula. Here they took their position as the chief of the pagans. They were also the first among the pagans who attacked God's people. This is the first attack out of Egypt and it will contain significant lessons for us as Christians." 

This is a crucial battle. Why? Recall Ex 13:17 where we learned about the potential impact early contact with war might have on the young nation. Moses wrote “Now when Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, even though it was near; for God said, “The people might change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.” Had the Israelites been defeated at such an early stage on their journey, they may have become so discouraged that they would have turned around and gone back to Egypt.

Amalek came and fought against Israel at Rephidim (see previous discussion) - Amalek was the grandson of Esau (son of Isaac) as we learn in Genesis 36:15-16. The Amalekites were a nomadic tribe in the region of the Negev (map; images). Rephidim means rests (plural). One cannot take this too far but it does at least raise the thought that we are often most vulnerable when everything seems calm and restful. The point is that our enemy never sleeps and we too must remain ever vigilant and on guard...even when we "rest" (cp Mt 26:41+, Mk 14:38)!

The verb fought (Hebrew = lacham) is translated in the Septuagint with the verb polemeo meaning to make war or fight and is in the imperfect tense. You say "so what?" The point is that the imperfect tense (in both Hebrew and Greek) conveys the picture of a repeated action, and thus one begins to understand that the Amalekites were carrying out unprovoked attacks against Israel and doing so in a cowardly, despicable way described by Moses in his later account in Deuteronomy....

JOSHUA TO FIGHT MOSES TO SIT

Choose men for us and go out, fight against Amalek -  Choose is a command to take a keen look and make a careful, well-thought out choice, in this context choosing men who were capable of fighting. Why would such discernment be necessary? At this stage, Israel could hardly be described as a seasoned fighting force., for Israel had lived hundreds of years as slaves in Egypt. And when the Egyptians came to destroy them, God fought and they watched in amazement! Morgan in fact says that "“In their first movement God led them in such a way as to avoid the possibility of war (Ex 13:17). Now they were involved in war.” So the "odds" of finding battle ready Israelis was basically "zero" which would have weighed the balance of power even more in Amalekites favor. The Septuagint adds the adjective dunatos (mighty, possessing inherent ability to perform some task - i.e., in this case to fight) as a qualification for the men Joshua is to choose..."choose mighty men for us".

Joshua's assignment was to muster a task force. Clearly this was part of God's way of grooming Joshua to be the future military leader of Israel as they entered the promised land where warfare would be necessary to possess their possessions. To be a leader Joshua needed the ability to discern qualities in others that would be of value in completing the task (in this case war). 

Back again to Exodus 17 we find that when Moses was faced with a deadly enemy, he responded quickly, giving commands and instructions to his trusted servant Joshua.

THOUGHT - When we are confronted by sudden, unexpected attack from our mortal enemies, the world, the flesh and the devil, do we respond by quickly seeking our "Joshua", our Jesus?

ow, in this passage if you look at verse 9 you’ll note that unlike at the Red Sea, God instructs the people to play an active role in their own defense. At the Red Sea, the people of God were to stand still and see the salvation of the Lord (Ex 14:13+) Here at Rephidim the people are to have an appointed army to respond to the Amalekites and they themselves must be faithful in defending Israel against the attackers. Isn't it interesting how even in the Pentateuch, even in the Torah, even in the first five books of the Bible, there is a nice balance between the active and the passive elements of the believing life. There is the passive element of depending upon the Lord, trusting in the Lord, resting in the Lord, watching the Lord work, depending on His power, and there is the active element of doing the responsible things that God calls us to do. Both of those elements are part of healthy Christian growth. If you have a totally passive approach to the Christians life, you’ll be in "the let go and let God" camp (ED: A better and balanced "camp" is "Let God and let's go"). You will sort of sit in the pew and see what He's going to do. If you’re in the totally active camp, then you will have a hard time trusting on Him to do it and you will be trying to figure out the way you are going to do it for Him. There is a balance in the Christian life between depending on God and on acting in accordance with those things He has called us to do, and you see that balance even here as the children of Israel are called to play an active roll in their own defense. (Sermon)

Joshua means "Jehovah is salvation" or "Jehovah is Help" and the Septuagint translates the Hebrew with Iesous the NT word for Jesus. Ex 17:9 marks the first mention of Joshua in Scripture. He would have been about 45 years of age and had served as Moses’ aide-de-camp (Ex 24:13, 33:11; 32:17; Josh 1:1). It should be noted that at this time in Israel's sojourn Joshua's name was still Hoshea, (variously defined as "to give deliverance or help" or as "salvation") and was later changed to Joshua at Kadesh (Kadesh-Barnea) just before the 12 spies were sent on a reconnaissance mission into the promised land of Canaan (Nu 13:16). We know that Joshua was a man of faith, for he and Caleb were the only two of the twelve spies who brought back an encouraging report of the promised land they were sent to spy out.

This field training against the Amalekites was undoubtedly preparation for Joshua as he led the Israelites against the pagan enemies in Canaan. Even as God had trained Moses for his work, He was now training Joshua to succeed him.

Tomorrow I will station myself on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand -  Joshua in the valley and Moses on the hill. We see here a principle that weaves through both testaments, the principle of Divine sovereignty and human responsibility. God's part and our part are inextricably, mysteriously linked. It is interesting that in Exodus 17:5 Jehovah told Moses "to take in your hand your staff." 

Walter Kaiser explains it this way - He was to muster an army to fight against the Amalekites while Moses, with the staff of God in his hand, would stand on top of one of the nearby hills overlooking the plain. Both elements were to be operating: (1) the sword in Joshua's hand and (2) the staff (symbol of divine intervention) in Moses' hand. Once again divine sovereignty and human responsibility were linked in carrying out the will of God. (The Expositor's Bible Commentary)

John MacArthur on the staff of God - It became the symbol of God’s personal and powerful involvement, with Moses’ outstretched arms perhaps signifying an appeal to God. The ebb and flow of battle in correlation with Moses’ uplifted or drooping arms imparted more than psychological encouragement as the soldiers looked up to their leader on the hilltop, and more than Moses’ interceding for them. It demonstrated and acknowledged their having to depend upon God for victory in battle and not upon their own strength and zeal. It also confirmed the position of Moses both in relation to God and the nation’s well-being and safety. They had angrily chided him for their problems, but God confirmed his appointment as leader.

OBEDIENCE THE  SECRET OF SUCCESS

And Joshua did as Moses told him - This is the first mention of Joshua in the Bible. Note his immediate obedience. Obedience is the "secret" for success and blessing in the spiritual life and in (spiritual) warfare.

THOUGHT - Are you being defeated by your "spiritual enemies" the world, the flesh and the devil. Are you being obedient? Are you "keeping short accounts" quickly confessing your sins? 

VICTORY COMES  FROM THE LORD

So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed - Note the phrase held his hand up indicating one hand (hand is singular in the Hebrew text), undoubtedly the one holding the rod or staff of God. 

THOUGHT - In Exodus so far the staff of God is the token of the power of God. When Moses used it, God demonstrated His power. To use the staff of God was to say that God did it. To fight without the rod was to face defeat. For more detailed discussion of the significance of Moses holding up his hand and Israel prevailing click discussion of helping hand. 

To use the rod of God was to say that God did it; to fight without the rod was to face defeat. -- NET Note

The uplifted staff functioned as a banner much like ancient armies would carry before them as an ensign when they went into battle. In this battle with the Amalekites, Moses in effect held the banner before Israel. And in this context the banner was symbolic of Jehovah Himself, Jehovah Nissi, the LORD our Banner. This Name would (should) serve to remind Israel of Jehovah's presence and power for victory over their adversaries! 

And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other - Supported is literally "grasped securely." Many writers say their physical support was tantamount to their support in prayers. That's possible but is not clearly stated. It seems that the most reasonable interpretation is they held up Moses' hands because he was tired. Of course they could have been praying for him, for Joshua and for Israel, but the primary meaning is literal support for his hands. 

THOUGHT - Clearly this picture is applicable to the body of Christ. God’s leaders thankfully usually recognize their need to depend on others to support them in their work, but sadly many pastors are burning out (80% will not be in ministry 10 yr later!) apparently because they are relying on themselves (See Excellent articles on Pastor Burnout). Today the church is a living dynamic body (Ep 1:22, 23+, Ep 4:4+, Eph 4:12+; Col 1:24+) (not a dead static building, an organism not an organization) and IF the "Aaron's" and the "Hur's" in the body are poor stewards (cf 1 Pe 4:10-11+) and fail to utilize their spiritual gifts (1Co 12:4,7,11,18, Ro 12:3-8f+), both the "common good" (1Cor 12:7) of the body of Christ and the "glory of God" (1Pe 4:10, 11+) will be adversely affected (and this may account for why the "Amalekites

His hands were steady until the sun set - This time phrase until the sun set  suggests the battle raged all day long. So once Aaron and Hur came on the scene Moses was able to hold high the "banner" of the Lord, the staff of God so that the Israelis could see it as they fought in the valley. And as they saw the staff of God remain visible in Moses' steady hands, they also were aware that they were prevailing over the Amalekites. As discussed above, Israel knew the staff of God had been associated with the power of God, and this was affirmation of that truth and of the truth that God was with them, God was for them and God would give the victory. One is reminded of the phrase THE BATTLE IS THE LORD'S, as recorded in Scripture

The faith and perseverance of this tired but true triad represent a clear illustration of the truth stated in (He 6:11, 12-notes) by which the saints of all ages are to lay hold of God's promises and ultimately His victory over "the Amalekites". Joshua learned this lesson and at the command of Jehovah performed almost an identical role for his army taking Ai as Moses had done for Joshua (Joshua 8:18+)

"Then Jehovah said to Joshua, “Stretch (natah) out the javelin that is in your hand toward Ai, for I will give it into your hand.” So Joshua stretched out (SAME HEBREW VERB natah repeatedly used of Moses' outstretched staff/hand in Exodus - Ex 7:19, Ex 8:5, 6, 16, Ex 9:22, 23, Ex 10:12, 13, 21, 22, Ex 14:16, 21, 26, 27) the javelin that was in his hand toward the city....26 For Joshua did not withdraw his hand with which he stretched out the javelin UNTIL he had utterly destroyed all the inhabitants of Ai." (Joshua 8:18, 26+)

COMMENT - So as long as Joshua's javelin was stretched out Israel was victorious, eventually blotting out Ai. Let us learn the basic spiritual warfare principle that Joshua had learned so well -- that is, that strength and success in battle against God's foes lay not in the "arm of flesh" (2 Chr 32:8) but in a constant and complete dependence upon Jehovah’s power. It is also interesting that even as Moses built an altar after the victory, Joshua likewise built an altar (Joshua 8:30+) and "wrote there on the stones a copy of the law of Moses, which he had written, in the presence of the sons of Israel." (Joshua 8:34+).

JEHOVAH NISSI: THE LORD IS MY BANNER

Compare similar action by Jacob building an altar and naming it El-Elohe-Israel (Ge 33:20), the mighty God of Israel.

And Moses built an altar - A sign of worship to Jehovah. The altar became an anthropomorphism (an interpretation of what is not human or personal in terms of human or personal characteristics) for God. Note that when Israel murmured and failed God, the name commemorated the incident or the outcome of their failure (Ex 17:7 [Ex 17:1-7]). When they were blessed with success, the naming praised God.

Built an altar -  phrase occurs 12 times in the ESV - Ge 8:20; Ge 12:8; Ge 13:18; 26:25; 35:7; Ex 17:15; 24:4; 32:5; Jos. 8:30; Jdg 6:24; 1Sam. 14:35; 1Ki. 18:32

And named it The LORD is My Banner - The Hebrew Name is Jehovah Nissi the only mention of this Name in Scripture. 

J Ligon Duncan says that "The rod of the Lord was the banner of Israel in that day in order to draw attention to the power of God. Every believer needs to remember God's power and every believer needs to remember God's judgment. We must also remember the coming judgment, according to Jesus, will be meted out by Him. Take your hymnals in hand and look with me briefly at hymn 318. This is the great hymn of Wesley and Cennick, Lo’ He comes with clouds descending. It's a hymn about the second coming and it's the one hymn in our hymnal about the second coming which focuses on the judgment of the Lord Jesus Christ. Yes, Joy To The World mentions the phrases, but this hymn focuses on the truth. "Lo! He comes with clouds descending, once for favored sinners slain; thousand saints attending swell the triumph of His train. Alleluia! Alleluia! God appears on earth to reign. Every eye shall now behold Him, robed in dreadful majesty; those who set at naught and sold Him, pierced, and nailed Him to the tree, deeply wailing, deeply wailing, shall the true Messiah see. Every island, sea, and mountain, heaven and earth, shall flee away; all who hate Him must, confounded, hear the trump proclaim the day: Come to judgment! Come to judgment! Come to judgment, come away! Now Redemption long expected see in solemn pomp appear! All His saints by man rejected, now shall meet Him in the air. Alleluia! Alleluia! See the day of God appear!" The Lord Jesus Christ will come again to mete out the judgment of God in a final display of His power. (The Lord is My Banner)

David Thompson - Moses decided to name this altar–“Jehovah is my Banner” or “Jehovah is my Signal Pole.” The point is Jehovah is the one who gave this victory. The signal pole was a statement that God would destroy the Amalekites who waged war with Israel. It would take a couple of generations, but God would do exactly what He promised He would do. (Sermon)

Banner (05251)(nec/nes) means a banner, an ensign, a standard, a signal pole (wood pole which was visible when raised - Nu 21:8), a signal (non-verbal communication - Nu 26:10, Jer 4:6), a sail (for a boat - Isa 33:23). Nec/nes served as a rallying point or standard which drew people together for some common action for or for the communication of important information. The banner could be an ornamental piece of cloth on the end of a staff or pole as a leader’s signal. Usually the signal was placed on a high place in the camp. 'Nēs is used in the sense of sign or warning where the destruction of Korah and his family in a sense became a "banner" which warned against similar rebellious behavior! (Nu 26:10). Later in the wilderness journey, Moses lifted up a bronze serpent on a pole (nēs) (Nu 21:8, 9) (See excursus on bronze serpent). 

Moses’ staff is the ensign to which Joshua’s army could look and that symbolized God’s saving power. Moses declares that God Himself is the Standard, the Ensign of His people.

The Septuagint (LXX) has an interesting Greek phrase kurios mou kataphuge to translate the name Jehovah nissi. This Greek phrase is literally the Lord my Refuge (my safe retreat, my sure refuge). This same Greek word, kataphuge, (which is not found in NT) is used 19 times in the Septuagint translation of the OT and most of these uses refer to God Himself. And so we see kataphuge used to translate the following descriptions of God (these

Devotional note on Jehovah Nissi from God is Enough - Nothing is more abundantly proved in the Bible than that the Lord will fight for us if we will let Him. All He asks of us is to be still and let Him fight for us. This is the only sort of spiritual conflict that is ever successful. But we are very slow to learn this. When temptations come, instead of handing the battle over to the Lord we summon all our forces to fight them ourselves. We believe, perhaps, that the Lord is somewhere near, and if the worst comes to worst, He will step in to help us. But for the most part we feel that we ourselves and we only must do all the fighting. Our method of fighting consists generally in a series of repentings, resolutions and promises, weary struggles for victory, and then failing again—over and over. Each time we tell ourselves that now at last we will have the victory, and each time we fail even worse than before. This may go on for weeks, months, or even years, and no real or permanent deliverance ever comes. God has told us to cease from our own efforts and hand our battles over to Him.

Comment - In Israel's first battle with the Amalekites war was waged as instructed by Moses (Joshua on ground/Moses on hill) and God granted victory. In Israel's second recorded battle the enemy was again the Amalekites but this time their efforts brought a disastrous defeat. What was the difference? As alluded to in the devotional when we attempt the battle in our own strength as Israel did the passage below we too will be defeated.

In Numbers 14, we read that in an expression of their unbelief, Israel refused to go into the promised land. Then we read of their response upon hearing God's decree ('Surely you shall not come into the land in which I swore to settle you, except Caleb [see description of his character Nu 14:24] the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun" Numbers 14:30):

In the morning, however, they rose up early and went up to the ridge of the hill country, saying, "Here we are; we have indeed sinned, but we will go up to the place which the LORD has promised." But Moses said, "Why then are you transgressing the commandment of the LORD, when it will not succeed? "Do not go up, lest you be struck down before your enemies, for the LORD is not among you. "For the Amalekites and the Canaanites will be there in front of you, and you will fall by the sword, inasmuch as you have turned back from following the LORD. And the LORD will not be with you." But they went up heedlessly to the ridge of the hill country; neither the ark of the covenant of the LORD nor Moses left the camp. Then the Amalekites and the Canaanites who lived in that hill country came down, and struck them and beat them down as far as Hormah. (Numbers 14:40-45)

2 Corinthians 2:14 “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.”

Exodus 17:8–16 “Then Amalek came and fought against Israel at Rephidim. So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose men for us and go out, fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will station myself on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought against Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set. So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this in a book as a memorial and recite it to Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.” Moses built an altar and named it The Lord is My Banner; and he said, “The Lord has sworn; the Lord will have war against Amalek from generation to generation.””

1 Samuel 17:47 “and that all this assembly may know that the Lord does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the Lord’s and He will give you into our hands.””