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If you ever have a chance to watch a re-enactment of a Civil War Battle, take the time to go. It is magnificent to watch the rows of charging foot soldiers, the feel the ground vibrate with the gallop of the cavalry and hear the thunder of the cannons as they bellow on the field. I have never seen one in person, but I have had the opportunity to view several on TV or video. I have always been struck by the confusion of the battle field. The clouds of smoke rolling from the guns, the crash of arms and cries of battle. It seems like it would be easy to get disoriented. But one thing always rises above the smoke and confusions, the flags of the different armies and companies. You can see the pennants and flags flying in the breeze even when you can’t see the man standing next to you.
The standard bearer was an important part of the battle before the invention of radios and satellites. He was the one who led the charge. Amazingly, he went into battle unarmed. If the standard bearer was wounded, the nearest man would drop what he was doing to pick up the flag, partly out of respect, but more importantly because it was the focal point of the troops. Without the banner to lead the way, the battle often fell into disarray.
This presents a striking picture for us today, as we look at a battle in Israelite history, and a time when the God received the name Jehovah Nissi, the Lord your banner. For His people, God is the banner to be followed. He leads the way into battle. This morning we look at Jehovah Nissi, and see why He called Himself by this name.
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Introduction
Only a few weeks had elapsed since Marah. There God had revealed Himself as Jehovah Rophe - the Lord who heals. In changing the bitter waters to sweet, God had shown Himself to be the only one who comforts in sorrow, the balm for our sufferings. He alone provides the remedy for the sins of mankind and sweetened the bitter waters of human misery and death through Christ.
Israel hd gone from Marah to Elim, a place of rest and refreshment. From there they journeyed into the wilderness of Sin where they began to doubt and complain again. First, there was no food, and they longed for the fleshpots of Egypt. But Jehovah Jireh, the Lord who provides met the need, and provided manna, that heavenly bread.
Then they came to Rephidim, and there was no water. Once again, Israel doubted God and complained against His treatment and wondered if He had abandoned them completely. Here God caused water to gush from the rock, enough to satisfy the multitude. That is when the Amalekites appeared.
Strangely, there was no complaint, no murmering against God. Maybe the children of Israel were still in awe over the water from the rock. Maybe they were not as frightened to face flesh and blood as they had been to confront hunger and thirst. Moses calmly orders Joshua to organize the men and go to fight the enemy.
I am sure the Amalekites thought this would be an easy victory. They were battle tested, seasoned by experience. The Children of Israel were hardly worthy opponents. These recent slaves who wandered in the desert without adequate supplies were nothing but an ill-equipped, ill-trained mob. But little did Amalek know the secret of Israel of Israel’s calm and confidence. They were the children of God. He was their banner in war.
I. Who is Jehovah Nissi
A. He is the Lord your Banner
1. We think of a banner as a flag
a. Baseball teams hang the pennants they win in their parks
b. Basketball teams hang championship banners from the rafters
2. The word means to glisten
a. Historically, a banner was a pole with a shiny ornament that glittered in the sun
(1) looked like the flag poles without flags
(2) or the baton of the band director in the marching band
b. The physical banner here was the Rod of God
(1) an historic shepherds staff
(a) turned into a serpent
(b) initiated plagues in Egypt
(c) divided the red sea
(d) provided water in the wilderness
(2) a symbolic stick
(a) a simple piece of wood
i) nothing special
ii) just a tool
(b) a visible symbol of God’s presence and intervention
i) did not make the wood powerful
ii) it was a tangible reminder that He was at work
a) much like the Arc of the Covenant would be
b) both were later stored in the Holy of holies - the place where God visited man
c. The real banner was Jehovah Himself
(1) notice the rod was not named
(2) name was given to the alter
(a) place where man met God
(b) place of worship
(c) place of memorial
(d) place of recognition
(3) Jehovah was the one who glittered that day, held aloft for all men to see
As the banner of His people, Jehovah Nissi is...
B. The source of purpose for His people
1. Remember David and Goliath
a. Traveled to battle field
b. Heard Goliath’s challenge
c. Began to stir up trouble
d. Reproached by Eliab - eldest brother
e. Asked: IS THERE NOT A CAUSE
(1) don’t we have a reason to make a stand
(2) a reason to risk life and limb
(3) a reason to face Goliath
(a) not for hearth and home
(b) but to remove the reproach being heaped on God
2. Jehovah Nissi provides the cause for His people
a. Jehovah is the rallying point for His people
(1) in the midst of the battle fierce
(2) when confusion reigns supreme
(3) when fear and despair creep into the hearts of men
(4) the cry goes out
(a) rally to your captain
(b) rally to me
b. He is the reason His people do what they do
(1) the reason for our existence
(a) not here by chance
(b) not unlucky to be caught in the throes of battle
(c) designed before the creation of the world to know and follow God
(2) the reason we keep moving
(a) purpose rather than aimless wandering
(b) hope and courage to replace fear and discouragement
(c) direction in a chaotic world
i) imagine the confusion of an ancient battle
a) the noise
b) the cries of aggression
c) the wails of the wounded
ii) yet, each person moving in concert
a) predetermined course of action
b) moving toward an established goal
iii) this is the cause Jehovah our banner provides in the unpredictable world we face every day
a) we have a plan
b) we have a goal
c) because we have a cause
(3) our banner is our identity
(a) it reminds God’s people of who they are
i) I am an American
ii) I am descended mostly from Swedish stock
iii) I am a native Minnesotan
iv) but above all, I am a Christian
(b) our banner tells everyone where we stand
i) who we follow
ii) where we are going
iii) what we are doing
(c) it binds all of God’s people together
i) providing fellowship
ii) mutual care
iii) encouragement
3. The Lord our banner provides purpose for his people
Those who follow the banner of Jehovah also will see that...
C. He is the source of strength for His people
1. When His presence was evident, the Israelites prevailed
2. When His presence was absent, the Amalekites prevailed
3. He was provided the power His people so desperately needed
a. Physical strength
(1) might to persevere
(2) endurance to overcome fatigue
(3) ability to push through obstacles
b. Inner strength
(1) confidence
(2) courage
c. Strengthened heart and hand in the conflict
(1) because his might was greater than the enemies
(2) his protection carried the day
4. Without the power of His presence, His people were helpless
a. They had no reason to think they could win the battle
b. They had no hope of winning the battle
Ultimately, in providing purpose and power, we see that...
D. He is the source of deliverance for his people
1. Victory flowed entirely from Him
a. Not from the
(1) magic rod
(2) or inspirational Moses
(3) or valiant Joshua
(4) or courageous soldiers
(5) Those are hollywood lies
b. His presence was the essential ingredient
(1) He fought against Amalek
(2) He upheld his people
2. Victory was assured by Jehovah Nissi
a. He had decreed the end of Amalek
b. He had chosen Israel for His own
c. He would intercede to make His word sure
3. Victory was absolute in Him
a. There was no doubt in this battle
b. There was no doubt in future battles with the Amalekites
c. There was no doubt about the eventual end of the matter
When the Lord is your banner, He provides purpose for life, strength for the conflict, deliverance from the enemy.
II. What response does Jehovah Nissi desire
A. Rally to the banner
1. There is a battle being waged - else no reason for a banner
a. Amalekites were God’s foes
(1) descended from Esau, who sold his birthright for a bowl of stew
(a) despised spiritual things
(b) lived for momentary pleasure
(2) here they despised God still
(a) had no concern for a redeemer
(b) thought only of protecting their grazing land
(3) rejected His purposes
(4) opposed His plans
b. There is always a foe to fight
(1) some Christians dream of a Victorian or Puritan age
(a) easy to live righteously
(b) easy to make right choices
(2) God’s enemies are always present
(a) sometimes hidden
(b) sometimes blatantly open
(c) always opposing God and His people
(3) the battle rages today more openly than in recent history
(a) 100 years ago America was a different place
(b) but the opposition to day is the same as it has always been since Eden
2. You are in the battle - whether you like it or not
a. You have been involved in the fray since the day you were conceived
(1) not a new fight started at salvation
(2) you just change sides when Jesus becomes your Savior
(a) you used to fight against God
i) His desires
ii) His goals
(b) now you stand beside Him
b. Fighting is not optional
(1) every decision you make furthers God’s agenda or opposes it
(a) there is no neutral ground
(b) you are either with God or against Him in the conflict
I know, you are going to stand on the sidelines, and just stay out of God’s way. After all, it is His victory, right
(2) that is not what God has given His people the banner for
(a) striking difference between Red Sea and Rephidim
i) Read Sea - 14:13
ii) rephidim - 9-10
a) salvation is of the Lord
1) nothing I can add to it
2) nothing I can do to accomplish it
b) the redeemed are called to battle
(b) the New Testament makes the same claim on Christians
i) Eph 2:8-10 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
ii) Jude 3 - Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
(c) the victory is God’s but He blesses those who claim the cause
i) think of David
a) 40 days of challenge
b) no one willing to carry the banner to battle
ii) think of the initial stop at Jordan
a) God wanted to give them the land
1) he wanted them victorious
2) he wanted them to enjoy His blessing
b) they were not willing to carry the banner into Canaan
iii) James 1:25 - But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
3. It is time to report for duty
a. The battle begins in our own lives - the battle of the flesh
(1) even though we are saved, we are still possessed of the Old Man
(a) the new nature is perfect, created in us at salvation
i) it is not a cleaning of the old man
ii) it is something new altogether - life where death reigned
iii) 2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
(b) this dualism creates conflict within us
i) Galatians 5:17 - For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
ii) Romans 7
(2) the battle begins with subduing the Old Man, and it is a daily battle
(a) die daily
i) I Corinthians 15:31 ...I die daily.
ii) die to sin
iii) die to rebellion
iv) die to self
v) that Christ may live in you - Galaltians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
(b) pray daily
i) The Bibles says
a) Psalm 86:3 - Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily.
b) Psalm 88:9 - Mine eye mourneth by reason of affliction: LORD, I have called daily upon thee, I have stretched out my hands unto thee.
c) 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing
ii) Many Christians spend no more time with God than to thank Him for their food
a) confess and repent
b) praise
c) give thanks
d) intercede
e) petition
(c) read daily
i) Psalm 1:1 - Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
ii) Bereans were a good example in Acts
a) read the whole book
b) study as you go
c) memorize what you read
d) meditate on what you learn
e) it is the bread of life
b. The battle is bigger than any individual
(1) 2 Corinthians 10:3 - For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
(2) Ephesians 6:11-12 - Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
(a) these are not kingdoms and governments of earth
(b) these are the Satanic hosts who wage war against God and His followers
(c) this battle is fought in the spiritual realm, not the physical
(3) Jesus said Satan is the prince of this world (John 16:11)
(a) is a usurper sitting on the throne of earth
(b) ruling his kingdom in rebellion against God
(c) God’s people stand in his way
i) he will destroy men where he can, blinding them to salvation
ii) where he cannot destroy, he will rob of blessing
iii) but he is always on the attack
c. But the battle is fought by individuals
(1) there is no inconsequential assignment
(2) there is no inconsequential person
(a) not the soldiers
(b) not Joshua
(c) not Moses
(d) not Aaron or Hur
(e) you are important in God’s work
4. There is a battle being waged, and you are a part of it, one way or the other.
a. Jehovah Nissi calls you to rally to the banner
b. To refuse your call to duty is traitorous
(1) turning your back on your fellow soldiers
(2) and on the one who redeemed you
c. Claim the cause as your own
(1) stand for Christ in your personal life
(2) count for Christ in your world
(3) fly the Lord’s banner
When you report for duty, Jehovah Nissi also desires that you will...
B. Claim victory under the banner
1. You cannot win the battle, no matter how hard you fight, by your own strength
a. Israel failed to learn this lesson
(1) Numbers 14
(a) trying to enter Cannan without the Lord
(b) lost to these same Amalekites
(2) Joshua 7
(a) defeated at AI
(b) Joshua 7:12 - Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you
b. That is why God’s messengers constantly remind us of our need for Him
(1) Psalm 20:7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.
(2) Zechariah 4:6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.
(3) Victory only comes under the banner of the Lord
2. You cannot lose in God’s strength
a. Victory will always belong to God
(1) His goals
(2) His timing
(3) God wins even when it is not apparent to us
(a) think of Jeremiah
(b) think of the exile
(c) think of the death of Christ
b. God’s victory’s are sure
(1) 1 Corinthians 15:57 - But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
(2) 2 Corinthians 2:14 - Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
(3) I John 5:4 - For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
c. We are helpless without God, but our enemies are helpless before God Close
Is Jesus your banner today?
Are you saved
Are you reporting for duty, doing battle in the power of the Spirit against the flesh and standing for God in the face of opposition.
Have you been sitting on the sidelines, enjoying your salvation and eternal security but refusing to stand with God?
Have you grown weary and wandered away from the fight because things did not go the way you planned.
Rally to the banner today. Stand for Christ. The victory awaits, but only for the faithful.
