Jehovah Nissi // Exodus 17:8-16

JEHOVAH NISSI

 

Today we are going to continue our study on the compound names of God.  The name we are going to look at today is Jehovah Nissi, which means the Lord is my Banner or literally the Lord is my “signal pole”.

 

The American flag, much like a signal pole or standard, serves as a symbol that represents unity, pride, and identity for the United States of America. It is a visual representation of the nation's values, principles, and history. The flag acts as a signal to rally Americans together // to demonstrate patriotism // and to honor the sacrifices made by those who have served and continue to serve the country. // As I along with many other Americans wave that flag from our homes it can be seen from afar and draws attention to the need for respect and reverence. 

 

And even greater yet we have a “signal pole” a standard, a banner that waves the name of our God, Jehovah, // the One who fights our battles, //  the One who owns every battle, //    the One who is making a way where there seems to be no way //  the One who is for us and not against us // a SIGNAL that Victory is immanent!  A STANDARD of holiness and righteousness, and a SYMBOL of Forgiveness and Redemption for a world that desperately needs it!

 

In Exodus 17, Moses takes his leadership creates a rallying point for the nation, and as they face their first opposing attack on their venture into the promised land, Moses commands his young warrior Joshua to go out and fight while he holds the rod of God in his hand and the enemy would soon be defeated and progress towards God’s promises would continue to move forward! 

 

The Amalekites pick a fight with Israel on this region of Rephidim and this would be the first conflict in the wilderness where Israel would need to fight a battle to keep moving forward.    This would become the start of a historical conflict that would continue from generation to generation with the people of Israel as they stake claims to the promises of God.  The Amalekites would show up time and time again.

 

Sometimes God calls us to fight for the PROMISED BLESSINGS of God.

 

Moses calls his young and up and coming chief commander Joshua to fight this battle against the Amalekites but with the reassurance that Moses himself would go up on the mountain with rod of God in his hand raised to the heavens signaling to Joshua and his men, that victory was immanent.

 

This war with Amalek is what would be considered a Holy War in scripture.   Moses writes down the command of Jehovah in

 

Deuteronomy 20: 1-4

20 “When you go out to battle against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them; for the Lord your God is with you, who brought you up from the land of Egypt. 2 So it shall be, when you are on the verge of battle, that the priest shall approach and speak to the people. 3 And he shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel: Today you are on the verge of battle with your enemies. Do not let your heart faint, do not be afraid, and do not tremble or be terrified because of them; 4 for the Lord your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.’ — The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Dt 20:1–4.

 

In Psalm 20:7, these battles were understood to be fought not with horses and chariots but in the name of the Lord our God.

 

God is calling for a generation of men and women who will fight for the integrity of truth and the demonstration of God’s power.

 

#1.  They will know how to handle the word of God.

 

Notice, that Joshua defeated this enemy with the edge of the sword.  Can I metaphorically compare that this generation of Joshua alive today will know how to fight with the double edged sword…handling the truth with both edges = DILIGENCE AND INTEGRITY. (Hebrews 4:12)

 

This young generation of preachers will be diligent in their study to know how to pierce into the soul and the spirit of this next generation, keeping with the integrity of God’s word and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart of those who are far away from God.

#2.  They will be submitted to the generation before them, those who are praying for their victory.

 

The boots of Joshua on the ground were only effective as long as the hands of Moses were held high to the heavens.

 

God is calling for a generation who will raise the standard of Prayer, Unity and Praise

 

#1.  A standard of intercession and prayer. 

Victory is completely dependent on intercession and prayer.  Again, boots on the ground are only successful when hands are raised to the heavens.   Outcomes of any battle in life are always linked to consistent, persistent and unwavering intercession that is built on absolute confidence and trust in the Jehovah, the Lord our God.

 

#2. A standard for unity and teamwork. 

Moses was not a lone ranger, he sought out his brother Aaron and Hur to join him on the mountain, and when his hands grew tired, they supported him, they lifted his hands up, so that the Rod of God would continue to be raised as a banner.  This was to illustrate the power of unity, when individuals come together and maintain an attitude of prayer and intercession, the battle is won effectively.  (THEY WERE NOT FIGHTING FOR THE ROD, THEY WORKED TOGETHER TO KEEP THE ROD UP!)

 

#3. Lastly, standard of Praise and Worship.   

Moses would write down this victory, and recount it over and over, building an altar in this moment to commemorate that the Lord is Jehovah Nissi. 

He is the source of our victory,

He is the Protector of our people,

He is the Deliverer of our nation,

He is the Sovereign God in whom there is no other. 

And He will utterly wipe out our enemies from among us…

…if we continue to raise this standard and …

…keep our hand grasping the throne of God with worship and praise!

 

This would not be the only time a “signal pole” or Jehovah Nissi would be revealed.

 

In the book of Numbers, chapter 21, the Israelites were being plagued by fiery serpents as a punishment for their disobedience. They were complaining against God and Moses, saying why have you brought us out here?  So, God instructed Moses to make a bronze serpent and put it on a pole, and whoever looked at it after being bitten would be healed.

 

Jesus would reference this moment in John 3…saying, "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him" (John 3:14-15, NIV).

 

Jesus is indicating that, similar to the bronze serpent on the pole that brought physical healing to the Israelites, He would also be lifted up on the cross to provide spiritual healing and eternal life for all who believe in Him.  That serpent on the pole was a rallying point for the nation of Israel to be healed, just as Moses’ hands raised would be a rallying point that Israel would be delivered from the Amalekites, and now Jesus when raised on the Cross would become a rallying point for the entire world revealing Jesus as Jehovah Nissi…

 

Raising the Signal of the final victory over sin and darkness.

Setting the Standard of holiness and righteousness with God.

Revealing the Symbol of ultimate forgiveness and redemption.