Character of God: Jehovah Nissi

Exodus 17:14-15 NKJV
14 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write this for a memorial in the book and recount it in the hearing of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.” 15 And Moses built an altar and called its name, [f]The-LORD-Is-My-Banner; 16 for he said, “Because [g]the LORD has sworn: the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.”

The more you know someone, the better you are able to interact with them and the same applies to God. No wonder the psalmist in chapter 103 tells us that Moses knew the ways of God while the children of Israel knew his deeds. God make himself known to us through circumstances that we go through in our life.

Take the case of the Israelites in the case of our key verse. The Amalekites are out to attack the Israelites and as long as Moses holds his staff high, the Israelites prevail in this battle. When he gets tired, Haron and Hur hold up the hands of Moses and in doing so, Joshua who is down below in the battle field leads the Israelites to a victory over the Amalekites.

So who won the battle? Was it Joshua leading the troops down below or was it Aron and Hur who held up the hands of Moses or was it Moses who help up the staff? God allowed them to work as a team but it was really the Lord who won the battle for the children of Israel.

After this, Moses builds an altar and calls it Jehovah Nissi, the Lord is my banner. This was the first battle that the children of Israel faced after they came out of Egypt and God used this to show them that He is their banner. The rod of Moses represented the power of God and it reminded them that it is not by might or by power but by the Spirit of God. For us today, that rod represents Jesus Christ and the cross at Calvary.

The enemy is walking around like a roaring lion looking for who he may devour and thus we need Jehovah Nissi to fight our battles for us.
Psalm 20:7
7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the LORD our God.

Reflective Thoughts
What does Jehovah Nissi mean to you?
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Just as Moses lifted the rod to attain victory, you and I need to lift Jesus up in our lives, what does that mean to you?
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Do you trust God to fight your battles for you? If yes, what posture should you take?
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