JEHOVAH NISSI

 

Jehovah Nissi means “God our Banner”.  A banner is defined as a pole, a standard or a miracle.  In biblical times a banner was used as a signal that was raised to gather or assemble the people. A raised banner served to announce that something significant was about to happen.  God's people rallied for battle with the raising of banners. During the confusion and chaos of a battle, soldiers would look for the king’s banner.  The sight of it being held high gave them courage and confidence.

The name Jehovah Nissi first appears in Exodus 17:15.  God had delivered the Israelites from captivity in Egypt and was leading them to the Promised Land. (Exodus 4-17)  As the israelites were getting ready to fight the Amalekites, Moses instructed Joshua to lead the army in battle. Moses then went on top of a hill, lifted his rod to heaven, and raised his hands up to God.  When his hands were raised, Israel was more powerful than the Amalekites, but when he became fatigued and lowered his hands the Amalekites were stronger. Holding up his hands was a symbol of dependence on God and an appeal to Him for help and enablement. This act of obedience to God empowered Joshua to defeat the Amalekites.  Exodus 17:14-15 tells us, “ After the victory, the Lord instructed Moses, 'Write this down on a scroll as a permanent reminder, and read it aloud to Joshua: I will erase the memory of Amalek from under heaven.' Moses built an altar there and named it Jehovah-Nissi (which means “the Lord is my banner).”

 Moses was declaring they had victory, not because of the greatness of the army, but because they were positioned under the banner of God (Jehovah Nissi).

As God’s children, the Lord Himself is our Banner, our Jehovah Nissi.  He is our confidence and the source of our strength in battle. When we have darkness and confusion in our lives we have the assurance of God, our Banner, being lifted high over our situation.  In Exodus 17:14 God instructed Moses to write down the events of Israel’s victory against the Amalekites.  He wanted this remembered for generations to come...for us. In the bible Egypt is symbolic of the world system or sin.  Just as the Israelites were attacked when they left Egypt, we are attacked when we come out of the world to serve God. Who are the “Amalekites” that are attacking you?  Is it fear, addiction, pride, selfishness, anger, or bitterness just to name a few?  God’s banner of salvation is waving over you. His promise of salvation includes help during distress, deliverance,  rescue, and healing. Without God we can do nothing (John 15:5), but when we position ourselves under the Banner, Jehovah Nissi, we can have victory over our enemies.

Father, I thank You that with You we can have victory over all that tries to come between us and You.  I pray we would realize Jehovah Nissi is not just Your name, but it is a reflection of Who You are.

JEHOVAH TSEBAOTH Part 3

Jehovah Tsebaoth is God’s name which describes Him as the Lord of Hosts or God of battles.  A host is an army and may refer to an army of: people, angels, stars and planets (heavenly hosts), or  hosts of animals. Whatever kind of host or army the bible is speaking about, God, Jehovah Tsebaoth, is the Head.

I want to look briefly at heavenly hosts.  God not only created the heavens (Genesis 2:1), He also knows how many stars there are and calls each one by name (Psalm 147:4)  According to scientists the universe is comprised of approximately one billion trillion stars, yet Jehovah Tsebaoth has named and is in control of each one.  What an amazing God we serve!!

There is a battle recorded in Judges chapters 4 and 5 that describes how God moved the stars.   King Jabin had a powerful army with 900 iron chariots. The chariot’s wheels had sharp spikes that would shred their opponents to ribbons.  God told the Israelite army, which was only armed with clubs and stones, to go into battle. It looked as if defeat was imminent, or for certain.  But God had a plan. He moved the stars which caused a change in the weather and it began to pour down rain. The chariots wheels sank in the mud and Israel won the battle.

Joshua chapter 12 tells of an event when the Israelites were in battle with the Amorites.  The Israelites were outnumbered, but God spoke to Joshua in verse 8, “Do not be afraid of them,” the Lord said to Joshua, “for I have given you victory over them. Not a single one of them will be able to stand up to you.”  

Joshua knew the battle would have to be won before sunset.  He prayed to God to allow the sun to stand still. Verses 12-13 describes this event: “On the day the Lord gave the Israelites victory over the Amorites, Joshua prayed to the Lord in front of all the people of Israel. He said,“Let the sun stand still over Gibeon,  and the moon over the valley of Aijalon.”    So the sun stood still and the moon stayed in place until the nation of Israel had defeated its enemies.”

Again the situation looked impossible, but God had promised them victory.  Often circumstances in our life seem as if there is no solution. Remember Jehovah Tsebaoth will fight for you.

Father, we are trusting in You, not our circumstances.  I pray You would continue to reveal your magnificence to us and help us see the reality of Who You are.