Exodus 17:8-16, YAHWEH-Nissi

The all-wise God was careful in the way He led Israel out of Egypt and on to the Promised Land.  At first, He led them on a path that avoided war, Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt (Ex. 13:17).  But after leaving the Egyptians behind, in the overflowing waters of the Red Sea, God began to prepare Israel for war, for fighting their enemies in the power of God.

The first skirmish (Num. 24:20), if you will, was with the descendants of Amalek, a grandson of Esau.  The battle took place at Rephidim, where God provided water from the rock to satisfy the needs of Israel.  The story involves everything Israel must remember when they go to war: they must obey the LORD by being willing to face the enemy, they must trust in the LORD, and the LORD will, in fact, fight for them.  It is a great story of intercession and the “fellowship of prayer” as Aaron and Hur support Moses’ hands.  At the Red Sea Moses had just lifted his rod and the seas parted; then he brought his rod down and the sea returned over the Egyptians.  This battle lasted throughout the day until sundown.  Moses needed others to support him in his role.

When it was over, the LORD told Moses to record this event in a book.  Many years later, the memory of this incident would be God’s reason for telling King Saul to attack and annihilate the Amalekites, a command that Saul would not fulfill and that would result in his loss of the kingdom to David (1 Sam. 15).  God’s promise to have perpetual war against Amalek was the reason Moses gives for naming the altar he built, YAHWEH-Nissi, The-LORD-Is-My-Banner.  The idea of the “banner” is that, in time of war, it is the rallying point for the people as they gather for action.  Literally, it is something lifted up.

This is the only reference to God as YAHWEH-Nissi; but several references to “nissi” (the banner or standard) relate to the Lord Jesus Christ.

·       In Num. 21:8-9, the bronze serpent is a “nissi,” something lifted up.  The people look to it and are healed.  This is a profound picture of what the cross of Jesus is about (John 3:14-15; 12:30-33).

·       In Isaiah 11:10, the Root of Jesse … shall stand as a banner to the people, for the Gentiles shall seek Him.  Jesus is that Root, the Root of David (Rev. 5:5; 22:16), Who, when lifted up, draws all men to Himself.  Paul quotes Isaiah in Rom. 15:12 as part of glorifying God for His mercy to the Gentiles.

God has given a banner (nissi) to those who fear Him, that it may be displayed because of the truth (Ps. 60:4).  We are in a warfare, a spiritual and very real warfare.  And the banner of the truth of the gospel is our rallying point, our standard.  That is the battle, and at stake are the glory of God and the souls of men.  May we take our stand in the full armor of God!