IF THE KING IS IN RESIDENCE, BE SURE TO FLY HIS FLAG.
“And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovah Nissi [that is, the Lord is My Banner].”There is no victory without a battle! We see that so clearly in this passage in Exodus 17. Moses built an altar when the battle was over and called it Jehovah Nissi – the Lord is My Banner. Despite the attacks of the Amalekites, God would never desert the people of Israel. Generation after generation could look up and know that the Lord was present in their midst. Moses builds this memorial of thanksgiving to God, and piles together these great stones—which, perhaps, still stand in some of the unexplored valleys of that weird desert land—to teach Israel the laws of conflict and the conditions of victory. These laws and conditions are implied in the name which he gave to the altar that he built—Jehovah Nissi, ‘the Lord is My Banner.’
What do these stones with their significant name; teach us, as they taught the ancient Israelites? They help us realize for whose cause you fight. The Banner was a symbol of the cause for which an army fought, or the cognizance of the king or commander whom it followed. Remember, when you go into the battle, that the battle is the Lord’s, and that the standard under which you war is the God for whose cause you contend – none else none less than Jehovah Himself. You are consecrated soldiers, set apart to fight for God. Such is the destination of all Christians. They have a battle to fight, of which they do not think loftily enough, unless they clearly and constantly recognize that they are fighting on God’s side. And so, by the stones that he piled and the name which he gave them, Moses taught Israel and us that they and we are under the command of God, and that it is the movements of His staff that are to be followed. Absolute obedience is the first duty of the Christian soldier, and absolute obedience means the entire suppression of my own will.
Sometimes, and often, there will be perplexities in our daily lives, and conflicts very hard to unravel. We shall often be brought to a point where we cannot see which way the Banner if leading us. What then? ‘It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait’ for the salvation and for the guidance of his God. And we shall generally find that it is when we are looking too far ahead that we do not get guidance. You will not get guidance today for this day next week. When this day next week comes, it will bring its own enlightenment with it.
The banner may suggest a false idea. It suggests the notion of a flag, or some bit of flexible drapery which fluttered and flapped in the wind; but the banner of old-world armies was a rigid pole, with some solid ornament of bright metal on the top, so as to catch the light. Moses stood on the mountain-top with the rod in his hand. When Moses lifted the banner, victory came to Israel; and when it fell, victory deserted their army. The true Victor was Jehovah, and it was He who was Moses’ Banner. It was by Him that the lifted rod brought victory; as for Moses, he had nothing to do with it; and the people had to look higher than the hill-top where he sat. Our victory is always in the Lord!
We see all through the book of Exodus that God is preparing a people who will worship Him. This means that the children of Israel worship God in all of life from the depths of their heart in faith and by obedience are cognizant that they are in utter dependence on His grace and power for their survival in this fallen world. In verse 15 of chapter 17, as a testimony to the Lord’s power and providence, Moses erects not an altar of sacrifice, but a commemorative altar. You can see the Lord’s work and the Lord’s centrality in the name that Moses gives to the altar. He calls it, the Lord is my banner. The rod of the Lord was the banner of Israel in that day in order to draw attention to the power of God. Every believer needs to remember God’s power and every believer needs to remember God’s judgment. We must also remember the coming judgment, according to Jesus, will be meted out by Him.
The Lord is God and Moses is not. Moses takes with him “the staff of God.” Moses heads to the top of the hill holds up his hand with the staff showing a dependence on God as he does. He wins the battle. Dependence on the Lord is a beautiful thing. We all grow weary and it is difficult to be out there all alone, slugging it out, depending on the Lord. We need others to prop us up, so to speak, to remind us that dependence on the Lord, not ourselves, is the way to go. There are no Lone Ranger leaders or disciples—we need each other to point us to the Lord.
We must rally behind the Lord—our Jehovah—Nissi (the Lord is my banner). This is how we win the battle and claim the victory. Moses had a banner – he built an altar after the victory with the Amalekites and called it “The Lord Is My Banner.” Moses wanted everyone to know that God was in residence with his people.
As Christians, we should raise the Lord’s banner over our lives. No matter how difficult our situation becomes, God will not abandon His residence in our midst. The apostle John declared, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). And Jesus said, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). If the King is present, His banner should fly.
Sure victory on Israel’s side because the Lord was with them. He braced their courage—they were girded with strength. He frowned—the foe can no more stand. He smiled—His people can no more fall. Man only prevails when the Lord supplies the wisdom, implants the prowess, and commands the outcome. And shall not He who is the first, the last, the whole, in all success, have all the glory? This is wise—let God have God’s place—the highest of the high.
Satan has a world to aid him. He strives to slay each man and all men by all. He can paint brilliant prospects. He can raise piles of wealth. He can deck honor’s crown with dazzling jewels. He sets the secret ambush. He digs the fearful pitfall. Self cannot separate from self. But let not the believer fear, Jehovah-Nissi is God’s pledge, which their enemies shall be put out forever.
The Banner leads to victory. They who cling to Christ must surely triumph. Before they strike one blow the day is won. The Banner if Jehovah! We will never lose a battle when God is in charge. If we successfully fight under God’s banner we always win. Praise God! Remember the cross of Calvary is a height which Satan cannot reach. We must be bold and keep our banner more conspicuous—live, labor, die, pointing to it.
The Banner promises that beneath this standard everything is yours! Here is blood to cleanse; righteousness to clothe; strength to help; mercy to pity; grace for demerit; life for death; all-sufficiency for all-deficiency. Angels never cease to sing, because on earth fresh converts vow, we are the Lord’s. The Banner is a worthy theme of boast—let the believer with pure pride exult in his high standard. Let all who know you; know whose you are and whom you serve. Let no shame cloak the Banner that covers your life.
You are now brought to the banqueting-house, where the Banner over you is love. The palace is in sight, where the Banner over you will be glory!
Jehovah Nissi
The Lord is my Banner!
