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Jehovah-Nissi: A Very Precious Banner In late 1944, the Russians fought tenaciously to wrestle Budapest from the German Third Reich. Savage house to house, hand to hand conflicts occurred in the streets, in the rubble, and in the city sewers, not much unlike what we hear transpires in Iraq on a daily basis. The Russian conquest consumed the strength of her troops, bringing a victory that didn't seem to be any better than a defeat. Though expensive to the Russians, the battle proved fatal to Germany. It so critically weakened Hitler’s army that it had no strength left to beat back the Russian offensive in the Spring. As a result, Vienna and Berlin fell quickly in 1945, and WW2 was all but over. What a lesson to be learned! Not every victory comes easily—sometimes the most expensive one offers significant long-term benefits. Confronting and defeating temptation is like that. It may seem too difficult for our resources—and it is—so we often choose to battle the lesser temptation. But it is the conquest of the tough and brutal issues of life that actually promises the easier defeats of the others. How is it possible? Through the precious Cross! Remember—freedom is never free! One of the most formidable and persistent enemies of the people of Israel was the Amalekites. Actually, the two were related, in that the Amalekites were descendants of Esau, and Israel can be traced back to Jacob—twin brothers. But it was Esau, who, not seeing his birthright as precious, sold it to Jacob for a measly bowl of stew. This spirit does not see the need to take spiritual things seriously. Many will often say that they do, but their actions prove them to be liars. This strategy of self-importance is one of Satan's most popular weapons, and it is often used very early on in his attacks. In fact, it was the Amalekites that confronted the people of Israel immediately after their divine deliverance from bondage in Egypt. God had just made the bitter waters sweet at Marah in Horeb, and He had just drawn water from the rock at Massah—both spiritual pictures of the coming Messiah, Jesus, who would cancel the bitterness of sin and its power, and, at the same time, be the Living Water. Exodus 17:8-9 tells us, "Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand." As the battle raged, Aaron and Hur joined Moses on top of the hill. As it turned out, as long as Moses held up his rod, the battle went in Israel's favor, but, if he lowered it, Amalek began to win. So, Aaron and Hur, one on each side of Moses, held up his arms, and Israel got the victory. To commemorate and celebrate what the Lord had done, "Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovah-nissi." (vs. 15) "Jehovah-nissi" is Hebrew for "the Lord is my banner." Banners and flags have long expressed loyalty to a cause. From time immemorial, these standards have been defended with the last breath of many a warrior. Recently, my wife and I were visiting family in Michigan, and while I began to write this message, I noticed the bright sun literally glistening on the rustling American flag outside the living room window. Interestingly, this "nissi" carries with it the idea of glistening. I began to recollect some of the words of "The Star Spangled Banner."—"And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there…" Through their longest night, the flag inspired them with hope—it was a banner before them that called them on. Countless have perished to keep flags flying—content to die, so long as their colors were still up. Spiritually speaking, true Christians will also be prepared to die rather than lower the standard, because they know that the lower the standard, the lower the living. The word "nissi" is translated "standard" and "ensign" in Isaiah; it is rendered "sign" in Numbers 26; and amazingly, it is the word for "pole" in the story of Moses lifting up the brass snake to give life to Israel. (Numbers 21) Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was also lifted up on a pole to be a banner of victory over the temptations of the world, flesh, and Satan. Dr. F.E. Marsh declares, "The Lord in His death for us is our Banner in victory—our Standard in life—our Ensign in testimony—our Sign to all that He is the Triumphant Lord." Moses and his staff had become a banner of victory over Amalek—a banner that pointed to an ultimate victory that can be obtained over this re-occurring spirit of Amalek. Immediately after Moses named the altar Jehovah-nissi, he gave the reason why—"Because the Lord hath sworn that the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation." (vs. 16) Physically speaking, it was very true. In the future days of Israel, her first king, Saul, thought he could determine how he should serve the Lord, with no real regard for what the Lord Himself said. You see, this is the spirit of Amalek—not seeing the ways of God to be precious. God had told Saul that when he enters into the upcoming battle with—you guessed it—Amalek, that he was to destroy all living things, including the animals. The spirit of Amalek was to be crushed, so, what did Saul do? Not only did he refuse to wait for the spiritual leadership of Samuel, he did not kill everything. He allowed their king—their head, so to speak—to live, and the spirit of Amalek lived, as well. And not only that, but he preserved some of the animals. Oh, he had a good excuse—he could use them for the sacrifices to God. Talk about twisted! Somehow my disobedience and laxity are going to honor God. Oh, I don't think so! Today, this spirit of Amalek is manifested in so many different ways, but at the core is rebellion and willful disobedience. Recently, on the News, it was reported that we must never say "no" to our children—everything must be positive. On the surface, it sounds like a good idea, but it is fundamentally flawed. The Lord tells us that "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" (Jeremiah 17:9) Many today begin with the premise that people are basically good, and they just need a little positive reinforcement. It is just the opposite—we, including our children, need to see the Cross of Jesus Christ as truly precious, repent of our sin that put Him there, be washed by the blood of Jesus, and desire the Holy Spirit to purify us from the inside out. Oswald Chambers put it this way—"The questions that truly matter in life are remarkably few, and they are all answered by the words, 'Come to Me.' Our Lord's words are not just, 'Do this, or don't do that,' but—'Come to Me.' Look at the stubbornness in your heart. Many would rather do anything than this one simple childlike thing—'Come to Me.'' If you really want to experience ceasing from sin, you must let go of everything, come, and commit all to Him." The self-centered spirit of Amalek will indeed go from generation to generation, right up until the Last Day. But it must not be so in the true Church! Amalek's hand had dared to assault Jehovah's throne to overturn it—even from the very beginning—so the Lord gave the authority and the power of that throne to His people to overwhelm and totally destroy the enemy. Today, that victorious Spirit is available to us—the indwelling Holy Spirit! William Whitelaw wrote, "One man with Jehovah could have chased a thousand; without Jehovah, a thousand could have chased one man. Hence, while Joshua went down into the valley to fight, Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up the hill to pray." What a picture—while Jesus, which in the Hebrew, is "Yeshua" or "Joshua," came down into this world to vanquish sin, His Church is now called into prayer, intercession, and spiritual warfare. But not in our way; in His! And that is surely precious! Jehovah-nissi! He is the standard, not us! So many today spend their time comparing themselves with others, only to feel pretty good about themselves. No! Jesus is the standard; He is our banner; He alone is precious! King David knew it—"We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the Lord fulfill all thy petitions…Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth." (Psalms 20:5; 60:4) His son Solomon knew it—"He brought me to the banqueting house, and His banner over me was love." (Songs 2:4) Recognizing this truth and submitting to it is perhaps the greatest battle—but with this won, the others are put in line. He does it, not us! No matter how strong the enemy, or continuous his attacks, or how reoccurring the spirit of Amalek may be around us, He is with and in His surrendered people—girding them with strength and teaching their hands to war. (Ps 18) Freedom is never free! Come and surrender!!! Copyright (c)
2007 Christ Our Rock Bible Church. |
