Today we conclude our sermon series called, “What God Goes By.” Let’s begin with a matching quiz to see how well you know the names of God.
1. Elohim
a. The Covenant Keeper
2. Adonai b. God the Healer
3. Jehovah Shalom c. The God Who is There
4. Jehovah Jireh d. God of the Angel Armies
5. Yahweh e. God the Creator
6. El Shaddai f. God the Provider
7. Jehovah Shammah g. God the Lord
8. Jehovah Rapha h. The God of Peace
9. Jehovah Sabaoth i. God the Almighty
(Answers: 1-e; 2-g; 3-h; 4-f; 5-a; 6-i; 7-c; 8-b; 9-d)
The name we are focusing on today is Jehovah Nissi, which means, “God is my Banner.” It’s been really neat to have banners posted in the auditorium during this series to help us remember how He has revealed himself. There’s something about seeing God’s name high and lifted up that reminds us of His presence, His power and His peace. Some of you may wonder why we’ve camped in the Old Testament for so long. I’ve even heard someone say that we’ve been spending too much time in the first part of the Bible. Let me address that concern. We’ve tackled this topic for at least four reasons.
We all need to get to know God better. By learning His names, we’ll be able to call upon Him. According to Psalm 75:1, “His name is near.”
The entire Bible is inspired by God. We need to remember that according to 2 Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.”
Jesus fulfills the Old Testament. Jesus said in Matthew 5:17: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” Each name of God has its fulfillment in Christ.
The Old Testament stories serve as “examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did…and were written down as warnings for us…” (1 Corinthians 10:6, 11). Romans 15:4 also elevates the importance of the Old Testament: “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” Ray Stedman writes: “The Old Testament is really the richest commentary ever written on the New Testament. If you are…beginning to fail and your heart finds itself in the grasp of doubt, then turn to the record of God at work in the Old Testament.”
By the way, after Easter we will launch a new sermon series called “A Journey to Joy.” This study will be a verse-by-verse exposition through the New Testament book of Philippians.
In order to understand and appreciate Jehovah Nissi, let’s look at how this name was first used. Two weeks ago when we studied Jehovah Rapha, we learned in Exodus 15 that the people of Israel went from praising to protesting. They sang and then they got sour because they didn’t have any water. When they finally found some water, it was bitter, but when Moses threw a piece of wood into it, it became better. In chapter 16, the Israelites commence their complaining again, this time because they are hungry. Showing His grace and teaching them that He provides for their daily needs, God rained down bread from heaven each morning and for their evening meal he provided barbequed quail.
When we come to chapter 17, the people are on the move, and when they get to Rephidim, they become thirsty again. True to form, the Israelites immediately lash out at Moses one more time in verse 2: “So they quarreled with Moses and said, ‘Give us water to drink.’” Then they start grumbling in verse 4 and accuse Moses of bringing them into the desert to kill them. Friend, if you find yourself grumbling and complaining, it could be a sign that some sourness has infected your spiritual life. Someone has said, “Christians are like cars – when they begin to knock, there’s something wrong inside.” Ken Hemphill, who has written a wonderful book called, “The Names of God,” offers this perspective: “When we fail to see God’s hand in our daily affairs and to trust Him for our daily provision, we begin to fret and complain about our difficult circumstances” (Page 108).
Moses is exasperated and so he cries out to the Lord: “What am I to do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me.” God then instructs Moses to take some of the elders and go ahead of the people. When he comes to the rock at Horeb, he was to strike it with his rod, or staff. When he hit the rock, water flowed out of it. According to verse 7, this place was called Massah and Meribah, which are names that mean testing and quarreling. They were putting God to the test by saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?” In essence they doubted Jehovah Shammah, the God who is there; and Jehovah Jireh, the God who provides.
The Significance of the Staff
I have to pause here to make a point that I don’t want you to miss. The rod in Moses’ hand has special significance. In Exodus 4:2-4, God told Moses to throw the staff on the ground, and when he did, it became a snake. Moses ran away from it but God told him to pick it up by the tail. When he did, it turned back into a staff. This was a teachable moment for Moses as we read in verse 5: “This is so that you may believe that the Lord, the God of their fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has appeared to you.”
From then on, whenever Moses held up his staff, he was reminded of God’s powerful presence. Later Moses used this staff to send plagues upon the Egyptians, and it was with the staff that he struck the waters of the Nile and a clear path appeared for the Israelites. When they were safely on the other side, Moses stretched out his hand holding the staff and the waters returned, wiping out the Egyptians. And now this same staff was used to strike the rock.
This staff was not a magic wand but instead represented the holy hand and awesome arm of Yahweh, their covenant-keeping God. This was God’s way of showing them that He was with them and that He was going to do battle for them when their backs were up against the wall. Now, stay with me on this. God’s people were complaining and quarreling and rebelling. I’m sure that Moses wanted to take his staff and smack the belly-achers, but instead he was told to hit the rock. In one sense we could say that the people deserved to be hit by the rod of God, as we all do. Because we are sinners, we deserve the judgment that comes from the mighty arm of the Almighty. But instead of hitting them, God provided a substitute, and the rock was hit instead.
Let’s go back to 1 Corinthians 10:4: “…for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.” In other words, God was saying to Moses, “Take that staff and instead of striking them, strike the Savior for their sins.” That gives me spiritual Goosebumps! Way back in Exodus God is giving us a picture of the need for a substitionary sacrifice. Jesus took the blows that are rightfully ours, absorbing the full force of God’s judgment. Now, keep the significance of the staff in your mind as we come to the second half of chapter 17.
The Attack of the Amalekites
Verse 8 describes the dilemma that God’s people are about to face. They’ve been thirsty and hungry but now an enemy is ready to ambush them. While they are at Rephidim, getting refreshed, the Amalekites attack. The Amalekites were the descendants of Esau, and were the enemies of God and of God’s people. As we go through this encounter, it may help to view the Amalekites as representing the sin within our hearts and the evil one who continuously comes after us. When Moses sees that his people are about to be pummeled, he calls out to Joshua in verse 9: “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.” Joshua made a careful, well-thought out choice to find the best men he could locate while Moses was up on the mountain. The people were to do what the Psalmist did in Psalm 121:1-2: “I lift up my eyes to the hills — where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
This is a paradigm shift for God’s people. Up until now, God fought all their battles for them. The problem with this is that they became passive and then became complainers when God didn’t do things exactly they way they wanted. Now, they are told to be proactive and fight their enemies. The danger here is that they will have to remember that they cannot do anything in their own strength. They are to be proactive and not passive, yet they are to remember that God is their power. The same is true for us. We can’t just sit back and do nothing, nor can we do everything, but we must do something.
As we rely on His strength, taking steps of courage, He alone gets the glory and our faith in Him will grow. Instead of just being observers of God’s work, now they were being asked to be participants in God’s work. Oliver Cromwell, who fought for England over 300 years ago, had no military training but was very successful. He often pointed to the fact that God enabled him to win his battles. He is known to have said to his troops, “Trust in Providence and keep your powder dry.” We must do what we can but must always trust in God.
Picture the scene. Up to two million Israelites are trying to quench their thirst and now the Amalekites attack. Those in the front of the group are whetting their whistle and those in the back are very vulnerable. The Amalekites have gone out of their way to come after God’s people, because Rephidim isn’t even close to where they live. The Amalekites want to take them out before they head to the land of Canaan. Satan does the same to us. He comes after us when we least expect him, and he’ll go out of his way to knock us out, or knock us off stride. We know from Deuteronomy 25:17-18 that the Amalekites attacked when God’s people were at their weakest point: “Remember what the Amalekites did to you along the way when you came out of Egypt. When you were weary and worn out, they met you on your journey and cut off all who were lagging behind…”
While Joshua is leading the battle below, Moses, Aaron and Hur are battling above them, at the top of a hill. Look at Exodus 17:11: “As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning.” With the rod of God in his hand, Moses visibly demonstrated that it was the power of God fighting for them that gave them strength. As his hands are held in a posture of praise and adoration, the troops could trust that God was with them. The staff symbolized how God had come through for them before and He would do so again. It was the pledge of His presence.
When they looked to the mighty arm of Jehovah, they experienced victory, but when Moses got tired and started to drop his hands, the Amalekites made advances. Here’s the principle. They were to fight with all their might, but they were to never take their eyes off Jehovah. They were God’s soldiers, fighting under His command. In verse 12, Aaron and Hur help Moses when he got tired. They found him a stone to sit on and then propped up his hands so they remained steady until sunset. As a result, verse 13 tells us that Joshua overcame the Amalekites. In verse 14, Moses is told to write everything down and to make sure Joshua hears about it. This word “hears” literally means “to put in the ear.” The King James Version captures the idea: “Rehearse it in the ears of Joshua.”
The rod of God became the focal point for God’s people as they fought. Opposing armies would often fly a flag on a pole at their front lines to rally the troops. I remember seeing how prominent the different flags were during the Revolutionary War reenactments when we visited Williamsburg. When the flag moved, the troops moved. And when the flag fluttered in the wind, the soldiers took courage. Flags give hope and they also bring the army together with a sense of unity.
In Old Testament times, people often did not have actual cloth flags but would just use a pole, or a staff as their banner, although Numbers 2:2 states that “The Israelites are to camp around the Tent of Meeting some distance from it, each man under his standard with the banners of his family.” Just like every country today has a flag, so too, the 12 tribes of Israel used banners to identify and rally the troops.
I’m part Irish so I wore green on Thursday (show flag) and I’m also part Polish so I wore two different colored socks today (show flag). Here’s the American flag (show flag) and the Pakistan flag (show flag). All of our states even have flags (show Illinois and Wisconsin). The flag has no power itself, but it signifies that the soldiers who are fighting have behind them one whose power and resources are at their disposal. When believers gather under the banner of God, we are saying that we have God’s power and resources available to us.
After the victory was won by the Israelites over the Amalekites, Exodus 17:15 says that “Moses built an altar and called it THE LORD IS MY BANNER.” [Jehovah Nissi] Moses recognized that the battle was won only because they fought under the Lord’s banner. Look at verse 16: “For hands were lifted up to the throne of the LORD.” When the Lord’s banner is lifted up, we will be victorious.
Psalm 20:5: “We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the LORD grant all your requests.”
Psalm 60:4: “But for those who fear you, you have raised a banner to be unfurled against the bow.”
Song of Songs 2:4: “He has taken me to the banquet hall, and his banner over me is love.
Principles to Apply
I see at least four truths that we can learn from the name Jehovah Nissi.
1. Victory isn’t always quick but it should be the norm for every believer. Some of us have struggled for years with certain sins. Just like the Israelites had to battle all day against the Amalekites, so too, we often have to tackle trials and temptations for a long time before we begin to see victory. Having said that, some of us have given up, or given in, because we don’t think we can ever experience freedom. The Bible is clear that we are victors because of what Christ has done for us. Claim the truth of Romans 8:37: “In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” One commentator says that we are “hyper-conquerors.” Psalm 60:12: “With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies.” 1 John 5:4: “For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.”
2. We must intercede in prayer and proceed in obedience. Moses provided intercession on the mountain and God provided intervention in the valley. We must work hard and pray hard. Someone put it this way: “Pray as if everything depended on God and work as if everything depended upon you.” 1 Timothy 6:12 reminds us that we are to be active participants: “Fight the good fight of the faith” and Proverbs 21:31 provides the other half: “The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD.”
3. We need friends who will battle with us and pray for us. You have been designed to be in community with others because life is way too difficult to do by yourself. If you’re not in a small group, make plans to join one. If your teenager is not coming to Student Impact, do what you can to encourage them to come. That reminds me of the story told about a Christian who had stopped attended church services. After a few months the pastor decided to visit him. It was a chilly evening, and the pastor found his parishioner at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for the pastor’s visit, the member welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and waited. The minister made himself at home, but said nothing. After several minutes, the pastor took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth, all alone. Then he sat back in his chair, still silent. His host watched all of this in quiet contemplation. As the one, lone ember’s flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow, and its fire was no more. Soon, it was cold and dead. Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. The minister glanced at his watch, slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember, and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately, it began to glow once more, with all the light and warmth of the burning coals around it. As the pastor reached the door to leave, his host said, “I’ll be back in church Sunday.”
We need each other’s support because many of us are carrying burdens that are too heavy to bear alone. Moses needed the strength of others in order to pray. The troops needed each other to battle. As you look around, is there someone who needs you to help lift their tired arms? Do you need help reigniting your prayer life? If you’re losing ground to the enemy, it may be because you’ve stopped praying.
4. Focus on memorials to help you remember. When God defeated the Amalekites, the first thing Moses did was write down what happened in a book. This is an important principle. If you don’t keep a journal, you may want to begin recording God’s work in your life. Next, he built an altar. He did this as a memorial, so he and his people would never forget. I can think of four memorials that are designed to jog our memory today.
Palm Sunday. We remember today that Jesus came into Jerusalem and was met by a throng who praised Him with branches. Matthew 21:8 tells us “…others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.” This was a common way to welcome a victorious King when he would return from battle. These palm branches were also a symbol of joy and victory and were placed on graves as a sign of eternal life. Since they often grew out in the desert near water, palm trees were a sign that life-giving activity was near. By laying palm branches on the road, the people were signifying that Jesus was the victorious King who gives eternal life to those out wandering in the desert of life.
The Cross. On Friday we remember that Jesus was nailed to a wooden rod and that He died in our place. One of the most famous banners in the Old Testament is found in Numbers 21. Once again the people are complaining and grumbling but this time they face another danger when poisonous snakes begin to bite them and they start to die. After confessing their sin to Moses, the Lord told Moses to make a “fiery serpent” and put it on a pole. Whoever looked at this “banner” would live. Jesus picks up on this picture in John 3 when Nicodemus begins to ask questions about how to enter the kingdom of God. Jesus tells him that he must be “born again” and then in order to drive home the point, Jesus references this event in verses 14-15: “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” Jesus is Jehovah Nissi, the banner of salvation. He was lifted up on a piece of wood on a hill, bringing victory over sin and Satan, and those who look to Him will be saved.
Colossians 2:15 is a wonderful picture of Christ’s triumphant victory: “And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” The word for “disarmed” is literally “stripped,” as in stripping a defeated enemy of armor on the battlefield. The powers and authorities of this evil world stripped Christ of his clothing and popularity, made a public spectacle of him on the cross, and thought they had triumphed over him by putting Him to death. Little did they know that the victory actually belonged to Jesus. We’ll celebrate that on Easter Sunday! Friends, evil no longer has any power over you because Christ has stripped Satan’s weapons and he is now disarmed.
The cultural background to this verse is rich with meaning. When the Romans went off to fight their enemies, after winning the war, they would bind their vanquished foes together by the hands and march them single file back to Rome where they would have a huge celebration. Thousands of Romans would line the streets to watch this “public spectacle.” At the front of the parade would be the conquering General. Following him would be those soldiers who had acted heroically in battle. The rest of the army would follow. And then at the rear of the procession would be all those who had been conquered. As they would march past the crowds, the people would jeer at them, cast insults, and even throw things. You didn’t want to be the main attraction at one of these pubic spectacles!
Jesus has turned those who thought they were captors into captives, displaying them in His victory celebration. We don’t have to succumb to sin or fear Satan. Jesus is our banner and He has triumphed at the cross. 1 Corinthians 15:54-57: “Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Communion. One reason we are told to celebrate the Lord’s Supper is so we will never forget what Jesus has done for us. It’s a time to remember. I hope you’re planning to attend our special “Christ in the Passover” service on Good Friday. It will begin at 6:00 p.m. and we’ll conclude by celebrating communion.
Baptism. Another symbol that helps us remember is the ordinance of Baptism. As individuals are lowered into the water, they are symbolizing the death of Christ, and as they come up out of the water, they are proclaiming that Christ is alive. Our next service will be held on Sunday, May 1st. We already have 12 people signed up. Call the church office if you’re ready to take the plunge.
Let me ask you a question. Whose flag are you flying today? Are you rallied around Jehovah Nissi or are you flying the flag of “me?” I don’t know what you are going through or who your Amalek is, but God will give you the victory if you look to Him. But only if you will wave the white flag of surrender. Atlanta courthouse shooting suspect Brian Nichols finally surrendered after the woman he took hostage read the Bible to him and a chapter from the Purpose Driven Life book. He literally waved a white flag to indicate that he was ready to give up. Are you ready to surrender to the Savior right now?
When Jesus is lifted up, when His banner is over us, there can are no rivals to His throne. I received an email this week that shows the victory that Jesus has won over the hearts of people all around the world. (I removed the gentleman’s name for his protection but have left the grammar the way it is):
“hello brian bill
i am…from pakistan
i came to a website and read your sermon on the john 1:1
as i read it i feel some thing changing my heart and when i read what max lucado wrote about the cave i think in my life i was in that cave and your sermon was the voice and my life has changed i am amuslim when i make comparison with islamic teachings i found what you wrote the perfect and jesus the right way i want to believe in jesus
can you please send me some books to read about jesus more and more
please give me reply”
When this Muslim man figured out who Jesus was, and that He is raised up as a banner, his life changed. Jesus Nissi is the right way, and the only way. His banner over you is love. Are you ready to be changed? Will you surrender to Him and follow His flag for the rest of your life?
I’d like to close by reading something called, “The Christian’s Horizon.”
What do I see as I look back?
Millions of mercies along life’s track;
God’s love shining where all was black;
That’s what I see looking back.
What do I see as I look within?
A heart by my Savior redeemed from sin;
A hope, through His grace, heaven’s joys to win;
That’s what I see, looking to Him.
What do I see looking forth today?
Blessings granted before I pray;
A sheltering arm, a guiding ray,
That’s what I see, looking at today.
What do I see as I look on?
Burdens lifted and trials gone;
A light at every, surpassing dawn;
That’s what I see, looking on.
What do I see as I look above?
God’s own banner, whose name is love;
Love unspeakable, wonderful love;
That’s what I see when I look above.
