Sunday, November 30, 2014

Jehovah Nissi BY: KB © 11.30.14


Jehovah Nissi = the Lord is my banner

At some point we have heard both the Greek and Hebrew names for God yet we've heard very little in the way of practical and viable definition. I hope to break this down for you today.
Why is a banner important In military strategies because they designated  position  on the battlefield,(whose troops belong to who)  which is always a chaotic place. In the noise and smoke of battle, regiments could become scattered and turn on one another in fear, and vocal commands could not be heard. So a visual reminder was a critical component, and soldiers were trained to follow the flag.

The Lord is my Banner. This name for God is found in Exodus 17: 15 (HCSB). Take a peek at the context with me from verses 9-16.

Moses said to Joshua, "Select some men for us, and go fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the hilltop with God's staff in my hand." Joshua did as Moses had told him, and fought against Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. While Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, but whenever he put his hand down, Amalek prevailed. When Moses' hands grew heavy, they took a stone and put [it] under him, and he sat down on it. Then Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other so that his hands remained steady until the sun went down. So Joshua defeated Amalek and his army with the sword. The Lord then said to Moses, "Write this down on a scroll as a reminder and recite it to Joshua: I will completely blot out the memory of Amalek under heaven." And Moses built an altar and named it, "The Lord Is My Banner." He said, "Indeed, [my] hand is [lifted up] toward the Lord's throne. The Lord will be at war with Amalek from generation to generation."

I zoned in on the fact that we would be at war with the Amalekites for generations..."Why the Amalekites?" I asked.

So, I looked up who they were: The name is often interpreted as "dweller in the valley", and occasionally as "war-like," "people of prey", "cave-men" In some rabbinical interpretations, Amalek is etymologised as a people am, who lick blood, but most specialists regard the origin to be unknown.
In essence we would be at war with people who live in low places and thrive on the blood, misfortune and misery of others!

What battle are you in ?

Is it God chosen? Strange question, isn't it? Scripture is very clear in this particular passage that the Lord, in fact, chooses certain battles for us to fight. Are you allowing Him to assume the role of Jehovah Nissi  in your battle?

 Are you in  a battle that you have chosen, one that is outside the will of God? Are you fighting a battle because you're operating in self-will?  Does your current battle seem insurmountable? If you're recognizing Jehovah Nissi , then you have been promised the victory, but if you are  fighting based on your own will, you have guaranteed your defeat.

Where in your life do you need God to be Jehovah Nissi – the Lord my Banner – and go before you so that you may know victory? 


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