The Lord Is Our Banner

There is a scene in Exodus 17 that is better than the flag scene in the movie, Patriot. It occured right after the children of Israel had been complaining about water again, this time at Rephidum ('place of rest'). Moses, frustrated, went to God. God told Mose to take the rod and hit a rock (water out of a rock?). Voila! Water!

Amalek attacked the Israelites when they were camped at Rephidim. Moses responded by appointing Joshua to lead up the battle against them. Joshua did as Moses told him. Moses took Aaron, and Hur up on top of a hill with the rod of God in his hand. As Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed in battle and when Moses let down his hand Amalek prevailed. As Moses got tired of holding his hands up, Aaron and Hur propped him up until they won.

Moses never physically entered the battle. His praying focus to God was visible. This battle was won by God.  Joshua carried out God's will. Those who stood by saw how the battle was won. For Joshua who would later take on the big task of leading the children of Israel into the promised land, it was just what he needed to learn and experience.

The name for God, Jehovah-Nissi, signifies victory in the battle. The name means: The Lord Our Banner. A banner is a standard (often a flag with an insignia) to identify a group or company with the force behind it. For God's people in Exodus, God was their standard.

Exodus 17:13-16 And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.14 And the Lord said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.15 And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovah-nissi: 16 For he said, Because the Lord hath sworn that the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.

God is our banner. Whatever today's 'Amalek' is, God provides the victory. The battle may take time and effort, but it is won with focus and prayer. God wants us to remember what he has done, is doing and will do for us. He is the wind in our banner.

Psalm 60:4 Thou hast given a banner to them that fear (respect) thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah.