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· 17 viewsGod is our protection and power. When the world and sin wage war against us, look to the hills and know the power to overcome is up there.
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Jehovah-Nissi
Jehovah-Nissi
Jehovah Nissi video
Turn to Exodus, chapter 17, verse 8. We’ll read through verse 16.
The last time we were together, we reviewed the escape of the people of Israel from Egypt after over 400 years of slavery/captivity. God sent 10 plagues to the Egyptians, which prompted Pharoah to let God’s people go. Ultimately, though, Pharaoh reneged, and came after them. This was where one of the most famous of miracles occurred. After the complaining Israelites reached the edge of the Red Sea, with the Egyptians hot on their trail, God instructs Moses to raise his staff. He did, the waters split, allowing the Israelites to escape to the other side, while swallowing up the pursuing Egyptians.
The Israelites were partying and singing safely on the other side, but the shouts of joy quickly turned to mumbling against Moses after a few days without drinkable water. So, God, not being petty like us, provides another miracle when Moses threw a tree into the water and made it drinkable.
Later, God also made food available each day via manna and quail. We know what quail is. What’s manna? Who knows? That’s why it has its name, manna. It means, “What is it?” LOL
All we know is that it fell from heaven, and sustained them in the wilderness. (Incidentally) Years later, Jesus would assert that He, not the wilderness food, is the true “bread from heaven” that gives eternal life ().
LOL
Years later, Jesus would assert that He, not the wilderness food, is the true “bread from heaven” that gives eternal life ().
However, in a short time the people grumbled against Moses because they could not find drinkable water. So, God did another miracle when Moses threw a tree into a polluted lake and made it pure (). He also made food available each day with manna and quail (). Manna were flakes they collected each morning. They called it manna, which means “What is it?”
Years later, Jesus would assert that He, not the wilderness food, is the true “bread from heaven” that gives eternal life ().
Now, after all this, you’d think the Israelites finally get it! They should know not to complain and worry, because God is Jehovah-Jirah (provider) and Jehovah-Rapha (healer/restorer) will take care of them.
NOPE!!! The get to Rephidim, and begin complaining again that there’s no water. God commands Moses to strike the rock with his rod (there’s that staff again), and water begins flowing out of it.
So, the Israelites figured that since they were well fed and fully hydrated they were finally secure in Rephidim. However, they were soon to face a crisis unlike any since escaping Egypt’s army. They were soon to encounter an attack by an army of their own kinsmen.
The Israelites thought that since they were well fed and fully hydrated they were at last secure in Rephidim. However, they were soon to face a crisis unlike any since escaping Egypt’s army. They were soon to encounter an attack by an army of their own kinsmen.
Let’s read:
8 Then Amalek came and fought with Israel at Rephidim. 9 So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose for us men, and go out and fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” 10 So Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought with Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11 Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. 12 But Moses’ hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. 13 And Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the sword.
14 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this as a memorial in a book and recite it in the ears of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.” 15 And Moses built an altar and called the name of it, The Lord Is My Banner, 16 saying, “A hand upon the throne of the Lord! The Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.”
Let’s pray
Prayer
The Lord is our Banner… what do we think about when we hear the term banner? Most recently, the banner of America has caused quite a stir with the Kaepernick situation, and protests in the league. As we near the 4th of July, you’ll most certainly see the display of flags, the American banner, in full force. You’ll even see fireworks that’ll somehow work together to create the image of our flag. Why is it so important to people?
To many, it’s a source of pride because of the ideal of democracy and freedom that it represents. To others, it represents the rights that are found here, that aren’t afforded to other people in other parts of the world. Then there are those, particularly in other parts of the world… American citizens who need help, they see that flag as a symbol of protection. They know when they step on the grounds of the US embassy, they’re under the protection of the United States!
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This is the significance of the American banner/flag in this movie. What about the banner in our text? Let’s explore...
However, in a short time the people grumbled against Moses because they could not find drinkable water. So, God did another miracle when Moses threw a tree into a polluted lake and made it pure (). He also made food available each day with manna and quail (). Manna were flakes they collected each morning. They called it manna, which means “What is it?”
Years later, Jesus would assert that He, not the wilderness food, is the true “bread from heaven” that gives eternal life ().
By now, the Israelites should have learned their lesson to depend on the Lord for their sustenance. Nonetheless, when they arrived at a place called Rephidim, they yet again complained that they had no water. So, once more, God provided water. He commanded Moses to strike a rock with his rod and out flowed pure water (). As a result of their testing God’s faithfulness, Moses named the place Massah (“testing” or “trial”) and Meribah (“protest” or “quarrel”).
The Israelites thought that since they were well fed and fully hydrated they were at last secure in Rephidim. However, they were soon to face a crisis unlike any since escaping Egypt’s army. They were soon to encounter an attack by an army of their own kinsmen.
8 Then Amalek came and fought with Israel at Rephidim. 9 So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose for us men, and go out and fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” 10 So Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought with Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.
We Can Stand Against Anything, if We Stand in the Lord.
Earlier, I mentioned the Israelites were to be attacked by their own kinsmen. This people-group was actually descended from Amalek, the grandson of Esau. Amalek’s is a product of Eliphaz, the eldest son of Esau, and his concubine, Timna. Amalek became a “chief” or “clan” in the tribe of Esau (v. 15). Therefore, the Amalekites were distant kinsman of the Israelites, dating back to Isaac’s twin sons, Jacob and Esau.
The Amalekites were the first nation to attack Israel after the exodus from Egypt. They were notorious for their plundering, barbarity, and atrocities against defeated enemies.
Why did they attack? Well first, sin has consequences. Even if God works through them to bring about His will, the sin itself still has consequences! Think of Abram’s sin before having Isaac. Ishmael and Isaac have been battling ever since. And Jacob’s deception ultimately lead to the quarreling between his and his brother’s offspring for generations. The Amalekites are mentioned over 25 times in the OT, and were constant trouble for Israel.
They appeared at several key points in Israel’s history: the exodus (); the conquest of the promised land; and during the reigns of Saul, David, and Solomon (; ; ). The Lord considered the Amalekites so decadent that He later told King Saul to utterly destroy them and everything they possessed (a command Saul disobeyed; ).
See, to me, the Amalekites are a type of sin. Just when the Israelites are saved from their oppressors, who’s the first group to attack, and ultimately be a nuisance for a long time? The Amalekites.
For those of us coming to salvation through Jesus, a lot of us were like the Israelites. There may have been a few challenges initially… Friends or loved ones leave us, finances, family, work issues come at us. But when God shows Himself to us, and our walk is even more pronounced, sin really comes at us. An old girlfriend wants to engage in some activities reserved for married folks. A promotion is tied to deceit. Friends you haven’t seen in a long time now are in town… and want to go to the strip club. Just like the Israelites and Amalekites in the OT, with sin, we’re going to be called to utterly destroy it, flee from it, and sometimes simply stand our ground and fight it. So how do we deal with this? The same way Moses did.
Find you a few good men (or people). It is at this point we are introduced for the first time to Joshua, the son of Nun (also known as Hoshea; ), a man who became one of the most important and heroic characters in the Bible. But now Moses commissioned Joshua to “Select some men for us and go fight against Amalek.” To me, this tells us that when we enter into battle, we can’t carry everyone with us. We must be selective.
It is at this point we are introduced for the first time to Joshua, the son of Nun (also known as Hoshea; ), a man who became one of the most important and heroic characters in the Bible. Joshua’s name means “Yahweh delivered.” Several variations of his name are found in the Bible, the most famous being, of course, “Jesus” (Greek: Yesou). Joshua was substantially younger than Moses, perhaps about forty-five. In he is called Moses’ “assistant” (CSB), or “young aide” (NIV). We can assume he had already been active in the life of the nation and was obviously a talented military leader.
But now Moses commissioned Joshua to “Select some men for us and go fight against Amalek.” He likely issued a call to all the tribes to send healthy men between twenty and fifty years old. This was a critical situation and Joshua only had one day to muster his army and prepare the army. It may be that Joshua had previously organized reserve Israelite forces to stand ready if ever needed. Now they were needed!
But now Moses commissioned Joshua to “Select some men for us and go fight against Amalek.” He likely issued a call to all the tribes to send healthy men between twenty and fifty years old. This was a critical situation and Joshua only had one day to muster his army and prepare the army. It may be that Joshua had previously organized reserve Israelite forces to stand ready if ever needed. Now they were needed!
Notice the unusual strategy that Moses proposed to Joshua. Moses told him that while the Israelites fought the Amalekites on the battlefield, he, his brother Aaron, and another man named Hur would ascend a hill nearby.
Not only did Moses take the two men, but he carried a very significant instrument, his staff. “I will stand on the hilltop with God’s staff in my hand,” Moses said. His staff visually demonstrated that Moses was not going to depend on his and Joshua’s military strategy, or the strength of the Israelite forces, for victory. It was the power of the Lord God, Yahweh, that would ultimately decide the battle’s outcome. The victory incorporated two parallel tactical elements operating simultaneously: Joshua and his men with their swords and Moses with the staff of God. So, the next day, Joshua did as Moses had told him, and fought against Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.
Not only did Moses take the two men, but he carried a very significant instrument, his staff. “I will stand on the hilltop with God’s staff in my hand,” Moses said. His staff visually demonstrated that Moses was not going to depend on his and Joshua’s military strategy, or the strength of the Israelite forces, for victory. It was the power of the Lord God, Yahweh, that would ultimately decide the battle’s outcome.
That staff was the same one God told Moses to use to convince them he’d lead them out of Egypt. It’s the same staff He told Moses to use to initiate some of the plagues against the Egyptians. It’s the same piece of wood that Moses raised and the Red Sea split. It was that same stick God told Moses to hit against the rock, that caused it to split and water flowed from. But it was never just about the wood. It wasn’t even really about Moses. It’s Moses’ faith in God that He could work through anything that allowed for God to truly show Himself to His people. He’ll do the same for you!
Moses knew that only the power of God could accomplish his goal. Christians are constantly assaulted by the challenges of life including financial issues, family concerns, moral temptations, and so much more. Thus, we need to recognize that God still defends us against attacks of the world, the flesh, and the devil if we turn to Him and submit ourselves to His will and power (; ).
Moses knew that only the power of God could accomplish his goal. Christians are constantly assaulted by the challenges of life including financial issues, family concerns, moral temptations, and so much more. Thus, we need to recognize that God still defends us against attacks of the world, the flesh, and the devil if we turn to Him and submit ourselves to His will and power (; ).
Point 1:
We Can Stand Against Anything, if We Stand in the Lord.
11 Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. 12 But Moses’ hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. 13 And Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the sword.
While Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed. He was holding up the same large staff that had functioned so powerfully when Moses confronted Pharaoh with the plagues (; ; ), at the Red Sea (14:16), and to extract water from the rocks (17:5-9).
In this case, and, indeed, in every case with Moses, we need to keep one truth in mind. His staff had no power in and of itself. It was no more than a piece of wood cut from a tree. It was not a magic wand. The power was not in the staff; it was in the power and authority of the Lord which it symbolized! This divine power was evident when, as the battle raged, Moses would hold his hands up while gripping the staff. Whenever he held them up, Israel prevailed. Whenever they dropped, due to Moses’ weariness, Amalek prevailed. Thus, Moses’ conduct was a sort of symbolic way of releasing divine power. We might wonder how Moses and the other observers gauged who was winning and who was not. There was no scoreboard, and as military veterans know, in the “fog of war” it is often hard to discern which side has the advantage.
I’m going to say this one more time. His staff had no power in and of itself. It was no more than a piece of wood cut from a tree. It was not a magic wand. The power was not in the staff; it was in the power and authority of the Lord which it symbolized! This divine power was evident when, as the battle raged, Moses would hold his hands up while gripping the staff. Whenever he held them up, Israel prevailed. Whenever they dropped, due to Moses’ weariness, Amalek prevailed.
In any case, we must recognize that Moses’ lifting his arms and staff was not just a psychological effect to inspire the troops to fight harder when they looked at him on the hill. His outstretched arms publically dramatized his unflinching dependence on God to win the day. In those days a common posture for prayer was actually with hands help up to acknowledge God’s sovereignty (see : 63:4; ; ). In recent decades, it has become more commonplace for congregants in evangelical churches to lift their hands and arms to pray, sing, and praise God.
In Moses’ mind him being on that hill, lifting “God’s” staff may have served two roles. One part inspiration - “Hey, ya’ll remember this staff? God is with us. Don’t give up!” Two parts praise - It was normal to pray and worship with your hands outstretched towards the heavens back then. It was a way of acknowledging His sovereignty.
We are not told how long the battle lasted. We can assume, however, that since nearly all combat in that era was swordto-sword or hand-to-hand, it must have lasted many hours. Consequently, Moses’ arms naturally grew increasingly tired. If you have ever tried to hold your arms at shoulder level or higher, you know that it only takes a few minutes for your shoulder muscles to fatigue and ache. Moses was strong even to his death (), but at some point even the brawniest of men will tire. Aaron and Hur saw that Moses was losing his stamina and knew intervention was necessary. So, they quickly took a stone and put it under him, and he sat down on it. Then the two men supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other so that his hands remained steady until the sun went down.
This battle likely lasted for a long time. They didn’t have stealth bombers, tanks, or even AK’s back then. Hand-to-hand was going to take some time. And even though Moses was a strong man, even to his death
7 Moses was 120 years old when he died. His eye was undimmed, and his vigor unabated.
), but at some point even the brawniest of men will tire. Aaron and Hur saw that Moses was losing his stamina and knew intervention was necessary. So, they quickly took a stone and put it under him, and he sat down on it. Then the two men supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other so that his hands remained steady until the sun went down.
at some point even the strongest men get tired. Aaron and Hur saw that Moses was losing his stamina and knew intervention was necessary. So, they quickly took a stone and put it under him, and he sat down on it. Then the two men supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other so that his hands remained steady until the sun went down.
Point 2:
Strong churches need strong leaders. They need men and women who will utterly depend on God for the doing of its ministries. A robust, yet positive and loving pastor, servantminded deacons, wise elders, and dedicated, sound Bible teachers are the backbone of any congregation. That being said, no one in any position of authority or prominence should ever seek the credit for what God is doing in a great church’s life. Every believer has a spiritual gift or gifts and is an indispensable part in the overall functioning of the body of Christ. As Paul states, “Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different ministries, but the same Lord. And there are different activities, but the same God produces each gift in each person. A manifestation of the Spirit is given to each person for the common good” ().
While God will Deliver the Victory, We Still Have to Fight.
14 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this as a memorial in a book and recite it in the ears of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.” 15 And Moses built an altar and called the name of it, The Lord Is My Banner, 16 saying, “A hand upon the throne of the Lord! The Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.”
God Is Still Our Banner of Protection.
tion.
Just as Moses stood boldly against the enemy who wished to destroy the Israelites, we can stand against the enemies threatening our spiritual lives. Just as God was Israel’s Jehovah-Nissi, the banner of protection over them, Jesus is the standard upon which we depend. As the prophet Isaiah foretold:
It seems clear that God wanted Moses to preserve the history in writing of what transpired in the Israelites’ wilderness wanderings. This record would serve two functions. One is that it would inform future generations of what their ancestors had experienced on their way to the promised land and how they had depended on God for their preservation. History is the memory of any nation. In the United States, studying history allows us to understand the positive and negative events and the sacrifices by our ancestors that brought us to where we are today. Imagine if every high school student in America was required to visit the National World War II Memorial. Would they gain a greater appreciation of the sacrifices of many in the past so that they can now live free and prosperous? Maybe so.
It was also written down to serve as a reminder and to recite it to Joshua. God put it in writing for Joshua and future Israelite leaders. They were to remember that it was His will that the Amalekites eventually be destroyed. God would completely blot out the memory of Amalek under heav-
en. This is also the first hint that Joshua was God’s choice as successor to Moses. It also implies that Joshua and the leaders after him were required to annihilate the Amalekites and obliterate everything they had when the opportunity came again. In fact, Moses indicates that the Lord will be at war with Amalek from generation to generation.
As mentioned before, years later King Saul had the chance to carry out this divine mission but failed to fully obey God’s decree (). That was one of the reasons God rejected Saul as king and gave the throne to David. As a result, Israel continued to be vexed by the Amalekites () until the time of Hezekiah.
Since the battle was over and God had given them the victory, Moses did what we would naturally expect, he built an altar to worship the Lord. This was the usual practice of God’s heroes beginning with Noah () and into the patriarchs’ time (; ; ). Altars were constructed to commemorate His interventions in their lives. The word “altar” (mizbeah) literally means “slaughter place” and usually involved the sacrifice of animals to God.
Moses dedicated the altar with the Hebrew name Jehovah-Nissi (or Yahweh-Nissi). Most Bibles now use the literal English translation: The Lord Is My Banner. This name signified, like a military standard or flag, that Moses raised his rod aloft so that the army of God would prevail. The staff and the altar would thereafter symbolize the divine presence in their midst. Moses concludes his consecration with a pledge to keep his hand lifted up toward the Lord’s throne. The source of Moses’ success was not his own ability, but the power of God working through him.
Just as Moses stood boldly against the enemy who wished to destroy the Israelites, we can stand against the enemies threatening our spiritual lives. Just as God was Israel’s Jehovah-Nissi, the banner of protection over them, Jesus is the standard upon which we depend. As the prophet Isaiah foretold:
and his resting place will be glorious. (
10 In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious.
)
Understand that we don’t simply need to look up to a man on a hill, holding a piece of wood, to for a sense of inspiration.
Rather, we simply need to look to the hill, where a man ON the wood provides the P-E-A-C-E that surpasses all understanding, no matter what comes at us!!!
The Israelites discovered that God is like a banner flying over His people covering them with His protecting presence. In a time of crisis, they learned that He would never abandon them and would fight to preserve them from their enemies.
Thinking about that movie scene, that’s really us right now. She was running to the US embassy, away from her enemies, because she understood that there was a protection for her because of her citizenship status.
The funny thing about citizenship, even if I’m born on a foreign land, I’m still considered American if my parents are citizens of the United States. WELL, it’s funny because not too long ago, I took one of those DNA tests to see where I’m from. My father and I actually both did one with two different companies and came back with similar results.
I know, you’re thinking, “duh… that’s your pops.” But the results will surprise you. Both of our tests came back and said that couldn’t figure out what we were.
Then it made complete sense to me. Because, yes, even though we’re born on this planet, and in this country, our citizenship resides in the Kingdom! How do I know? Well, my heavenly father isn’t merely a citizen of the Kingdom… He’s the King, Himself!!!
So when I’m being chased by the troubles of the world in this foreign land, Jesus is telling me, “I’m going to take care of something over here, and you SPRINT to that embassy.” Jesus sacrificed Himself so that I can enter the protection of the Kingdom, so that I may be able to benefit from the rights of the Kingdom of God, and may experience the power of God, Himself!
You can too. So if you’ve never accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, what are you waiting for. Your finances, career, health, sin, are all trying to attack you. Get up now. Sprint to the flag, and exclaim I’m a Kingdom citizen!!! I’m a Kingdom citizen!!! Let God watch over you. He is Jehovah-Nissi, “The Lord is my banner.” He is indeed our flag of protection.
We can rely on God as well to watch over us. He is Jehovah-Nissi, “The Lord is my banner.” He is indeed our flag of protection.
11 Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
