This is the fourth post in the series "Who Is God?'
Exodus 3:14-15 (NKJV) 14 And God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And He said, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.' "15 Moreover God said to Moses, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: 'The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations.'
My proper name is Donald, but I’m also called dad, father, grandpa, son, uncle, brother, nephew, and pastor along with others. Each of these is a name for me which describes certain attributes. God’s proper name is Jehovah, but as with you and me His is known by other names that describe Him.
Jehovah-Nissi
Exodus 17:8-16 (NKJV)8 Now Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim.9 And Moses said to Joshua, "Choose us some men and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand."10 So Joshua did as Moses said to him, and fought with Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.11 And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.12 But Moses' hands became heavy; so 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 the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.13 So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.14 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Write this for a memorial in the book and recount it in the hearing of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven."15 And Moses built an altar and called its name, The-LORD-Is-My-Banner;16 for he said, "Because the LORD has sworn: the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation."
Moses recognized that Jehovah was Israel's banner under which they defeated the Amalekites and he built an altar and named it Jehovah Nissi (The-LORD-Is-My-Banner)
Nissi is derived from the Hebrew word Nes which mean “banner". Nes is also sometimes translated as a pole with an insignia attached. 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. This is what God is to us: a banner of encouragement to give us hope and a focal point.
Our battles against sin, fear, depression, sickness, loneliness, lack, and sin, are fought in the physical realm, however the war is a spiritual one (See Spiritual Warfare series). God’s presence and power are with us today as we fight our battles as He was with Israel.
Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV)12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
2 Corinthians 10:4-6 (NKJV)4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
Exodus 3:14-15 (NKJV) 14 And God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And He said, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.' "15 Moreover God said to Moses, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: 'The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations.'
My proper name is Donald, but I’m also called dad, father, grandpa, son, uncle, brother, nephew, and pastor along with others. Each of these is a name for me which describes certain attributes. God’s proper name is Jehovah, but as with you and me His is known by other names that describe Him.
Jehovah-Nissi
Exodus 17:8-16 (NKJV)8 Now Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim.9 And Moses said to Joshua, "Choose us some men and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand."10 So Joshua did as Moses said to him, and fought with Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.11 And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.12 But Moses' hands became heavy; so 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 the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.13 So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.14 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Write this for a memorial in the book and recount it in the hearing of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven."15 And Moses built an altar and called its name, The-LORD-Is-My-Banner;16 for he said, "Because the LORD has sworn: the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation."
Moses recognized that Jehovah was Israel's banner under which they defeated the Amalekites and he built an altar and named it Jehovah Nissi (The-LORD-Is-My-Banner)
Nissi is derived from the Hebrew word Nes which mean “banner". Nes is also sometimes translated as a pole with an insignia attached. 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. This is what God is to us: a banner of encouragement to give us hope and a focal point.
Our battles against sin, fear, depression, sickness, loneliness, lack, and sin, are fought in the physical realm, however the war is a spiritual one (See Spiritual Warfare series). God’s presence and power are with us today as we fight our battles as He was with Israel.
Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV)12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
2 Corinthians 10:4-6 (NKJV)4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
We do have to fight, but God has equipped us with His armor
Ephesians 6:10-17 (NKJV)10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
We fight our battles under God’s banner much like the military of the United States fights under our flag (banner) of stars and stripes. The President of the United States is the Commander and Chief of its military, and Jehovah is Commander and Chief of the military of His Son Jesus Christ, the church. Not only is Jehovah Nissi our Banner He, through Jesus ensures us of victory (See By Faith In God You Have The Victory-You Are More Than A Conqueror).
Moses’ naming of the altar Jehovah-Nissi is a reminder that we are victorious when we honor the name of Jehovah and rally to Him as Jehovah Nissi, our Banner.
"Jehovah Nissi" - Lyrics by Mortification
Jehovah Nissi, the Lord is my banner in war
Jehovah Nissi, upholding the armour of God
Amalek came at Israel
Moses ordered Joshua choose some men
Go out and fight
Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill
With the rod of God in my hand
I will raise the banner
Joshua rounded the men
Israel fought with Amalek
Moses, Aron, Hur on top of the hill
When Moses raised his hands Israel prevailed
Moses hands became heavy
so they put a stone under them
Aron and Hur support their friend
until the going down of the sun
Joshua defeated Amalek
and so it was with the power of the sword
written in the memorial book
The Lord is my banner in war!
And the Lord has shown
He will have war with Amalek
from generation to generation
With the rod of God in my hand
Jehovah Nissi
Ephesians 6:10-17 (NKJV)10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
We fight our battles under God’s banner much like the military of the United States fights under our flag (banner) of stars and stripes. The President of the United States is the Commander and Chief of its military, and Jehovah is Commander and Chief of the military of His Son Jesus Christ, the church. Not only is Jehovah Nissi our Banner He, through Jesus ensures us of victory (See By Faith In God You Have The Victory-You Are More Than A Conqueror).
Moses’ naming of the altar Jehovah-Nissi is a reminder that we are victorious when we honor the name of Jehovah and rally to Him as Jehovah Nissi, our Banner.
"Jehovah Nissi" - Lyrics by Mortification
Jehovah Nissi, the Lord is my banner in war
Jehovah Nissi, upholding the armour of God
Amalek came at Israel
Moses ordered Joshua choose some men
Go out and fight
Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill
With the rod of God in my hand
I will raise the banner
Joshua rounded the men
Israel fought with Amalek
Moses, Aron, Hur on top of the hill
When Moses raised his hands Israel prevailed
Moses hands became heavy
so they put a stone under them
Aron and Hur support their friend
until the going down of the sun
Joshua defeated Amalek
and so it was with the power of the sword
written in the memorial book
The Lord is my banner in war!
And the Lord has shown
He will have war with Amalek
from generation to generation
With the rod of God in my hand
Jehovah Nissi
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