Read it: Exodus 17:8-16; Isaiah 11:10
Live it: On day 2 of this Binge the Bible series, Pastor James introduced us to the name Yahweh. Over the course of God’s revelation of himself to us we are introduced to Yahweh in compound forms. Today’s reading introduces us to Yahweh-Nissi (The Lord is my banner).
The Israelites were on their way from Egypt to the Promised Land. They had not yet come to Sinai, but they had encountered several obstacles: no water, no food, the Red Sea, Pharaoh’s armies advancing against them. God had shown himself powerful and able to meet every obstacle. Now the Amalekites came out in battle array against the Isralites. Joshua led the Israelite armies against them while Moses observed from a nearby hilltop. As long as Moses held his staff up toward heaven, the Israelites prevailed, but when his arms tired and he let the staff down, Amalek prevailed. Aaron and Hur arranged a seat for Moses and stood on either side of him holding up his arms. By sunset the Israelites soundly defeated the Amalekites.
Moses built an altar and called it Yahweh-Nissi, which means The Lord is my banner. It is a celebratory name. It celebrated the victory given by God. It is a recognition that God is our source of victory, and we should celebrate Him as such.
Isaiah 11:10 is part of one of Isaiah’s great Messianic prophecies in which he applies the term “nissi” (banner) to the coming Messiah (Jesus). Jesus is OUR BANNER.
Ps Rod