RUSSELL SANDERS
11-21-2024
THE LIFE OF MOSES LESSON 28
JEHOVAH-NISSI

Exodus 17:8-16 gives us a significant story in the life and leadership of Moses. God had just provided water miraculously when Moses struck the rock of Mount Horeb, despite the murmuring of the people against God. Water was provided, but their murmuring brought judgment of war, as they were attacked by an Amalekite army.

This was Israel’s first armed conflict. Moses chose Joshua to lead the army. The Amalekites were descendants of Amalek who was the grandson of Esau, Jacob’s brother. The descendants of Jacob (Israel) and Esau became bitter enemies for centuries.

Moses went up on a hill to observe the battle accompanied by Aaron and Hur. As the battle engaged, Moses lifted his hands unto God and Israel had the better of the fight. Eventually his arms became too tired, and as his hands lowered, the tide of the battle turned against Israel. Moses even became too tired to continue standing. Aaron and Hur found a large stone for Moses to sit on. Aaron and Hur then took Moses’ arms and held up his hands again unto the Lord. The tide of the battle returned to Joshua and Israel’s favor. By sundown, Amalek was defeated.

To honor the name of the LORD, Moses built an altar there and offered sacrifices of thanksgiving. In verse 15 he named the altar Jehovah-Nissi which means “Jehovah is my banner.”

Since ancient times and onward to the present times, ground armies have always carried a flag to identify themselves and for whom they were fighting. This flag is often called a “standard” or “banner.” Jehovah-nissi identified that they were the army or people of Jehovah.

We Christians also bear God’s banner. It is love, as Jesus said in John 13:35, “By this shall ye know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one for another.” His banner over us is love.

Do you radiate God’s love around you, or do you sometimes react in an unloving manner?