November 18, 2024
EXODUS 17:8-15
8 The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. 9 Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men. Then go out and fight against the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill. I’ll stand there holding the walking stick God gave me.”
10 So Joshua fought against the Amalekites, just as Moses had ordered. Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. 11 As long as Moses held up his hand, the Israelites were winning. But every time he lowered his hands, the Amalekites began to win. 12 When Moses’ arms got tired, Aaron and Hur got a stone and put it under him. Then he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held up his hands. Aaron was on one side, and Hur was on the other. Moses’ hands remained steady until sunset. 13 So Joshua destroyed the Amalekite army with swords.
14 Then the Lord said to Moses, “This is something to be remembered. So write it on a scroll. Make sure Joshua knows you have done it. I will completely erase the memory of the Amalekites from the earth.”
15 Moses built an altar there and named it Yahweh-Nissi (which means “the Lord is my banner”).
8 The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. 9 Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men. Then go out and fight against the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill. I’ll stand there holding the walking stick God gave me.”
10 So Joshua fought against the Amalekites, just as Moses had ordered. Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. 11 As long as Moses held up his hand, the Israelites were winning. But every time he lowered his hands, the Amalekites began to win. 12 When Moses’ arms got tired, Aaron and Hur got a stone and put it under him. Then he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held up his hands. Aaron was on one side, and Hur was on the other. Moses’ hands remained steady until sunset. 13 So Joshua destroyed the Amalekite army with swords.
14 Then the Lord said to Moses, “This is something to be remembered. So write it on a scroll. Make sure Joshua knows you have done it. I will completely erase the memory of the Amalekites from the earth.”
15 Moses built an altar there and named it Yahweh-Nissi (which means “the Lord is my banner”).
"Yahweh - Nissi" translates to "The Lord is my Banner." Yahweh refers to the Existing One or Lord, primarily meaning to be or to exist in Hebrew. It also represents a God who continuously reveals Himself.
"Nissi" denotes a banner, specifically a pole with an emblem attached, intended to be seen from a distance, serving as a standard or signal. You have no doubt seen this if you have ever seen the opening ceremony of the Olympics, where each team carries their country’s flag. Or perhaps you have attended a Windsor Spitfires game and watched "Bomber" skate out on the ice leading the team waving the Spitfires flag.
The name of God, Yahweh-Nissi, is first mentioned in Exodus chapter 17. Here, the people are engaged in a relentless battle against a their enemy the Amalekites.
Moses, recognizing that the Lord was Israel’s banner under which they defeated the Amalekites, builds an altar named Yahweh-Nissi (the Lord my Banner). In battle, opposing nations would fly their own flag on a pole at each of their respective front lines. This was to give their soldiers a feeling of hope and a focal point to remember who they were fighting for and where their allegiance was.
This is what God is to us, a banner of encouragement to give us hope and a focal point. A reminder for us who we serve and where our loyalty lies. God's Word is our guideline for living. We look to our Creator and his strength during our struggles and battles. This focus of re-focus helps us to recall who God is and whose we are. "Turn your eyes upon Jesus," is how the hymnwriter put it, "and things of earth will grow strangely dim."
A banner beautifully represents God's protection and deliverance. It symbolizes His presence, power, and provision over us. The concept of God as our banner serves as a symbol and a reminder that our reliance should be on Him, rather than on our own strength and efforts. We are to rely upon our good and gracious God. We are to look to Jesus, our banner, our Yaweh Nissi.
It’s easy to become discouraged when we look at the world and the daily suffering and discord all around us. It’s easy to become discouraged and feel defeated in our own lives at times. The book of Hebrews opens with the author emphasizing the ways in which God communicates with us. Hebrews then proceeds to declare the greatness and supremacy of Jesus, affirming that Jesus surpasses all that we may be tempted to rely on in this life.
Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control.
Hebrews 2:8
It’s easy to become discouraged when we look at the world and the daily suffering and discord all around us. It’s easy to become discouraged and feel defeated in our own lives at times. The book of Hebrews opens with the author emphasizing the ways in which God communicates with us. Hebrews then proceeds to declare the greatness and supremacy of Jesus, affirming that Jesus surpasses all that we may be tempted to rely on in this life.
Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control.
Hebrews 2:8
Thanks be to God!
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