Yahweh Nissi

I'm busy doing a devotional on the different characteristics of God.  This weeks one is Yahweh Niss - The Lord is my Banner.  I never really understood what this meant until this week. 

Back in the day when the Israelites were fighting the Amalekites, Moses went and stood on a hill and raised his arms. When this arms were up the Israelites were winning and when they were down the Israelites were loosing.  When the Israelites had won the battle Moses made and alter and called it Yahweh Nissi - The Lord is my banner. (You can read the whole story in Exodus 17:8-15) 

..... So why did Moses call the alter this and not something else? 

I think these could be some possible reasons WhY.....

When an army goes into battle the banner is always flown at the front the army. It identifies who they are.  When you are being attached you would like to know who is attacking you, the banner does this. The Israelites were Gods chosen people, He represented them and they represented him in the world.  God gave them their identification, just like a banner gives an army their identification. 

The banner always directed where you were going. If the banner carrier went left, you went left.  

During a battle the banner helped the members of the army find their comrades when they get lost or disoriented during the battle.  The banner helps them to stay focused on where to go and it also inspires courage among the army. When they see the banner it helps them to realize that they are not alone and apart of a "team" 

Moses sat on the top of a hill - he was the Israelites banner.  When his hands were up the Israelite army could see him and they were motivated to keep fighting and they were focused on the task. 

SoMe MoRe ThOuGhTs...

Deuteronomy 31:8 says "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.  I often pray this, because it's  true. God goes before us where ever we go, whether it's a battle or not. He's our banner. 

As Christians we need to be focused on God, constantly looking to him for direction and motivation.  Just like a banner gives the army direction and motivation, when we look to God we find our direction, realize we're not nearly as lost as we imagine, are able to refocus and get motivated again. 

1 Peter 2:9 says  "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession....."  This describes who we are today, the Israelites were Gods chosen people and he went before them. Jesus made it possible for us to become Gods chosen people.  This is who we are. God has given us our identity. God like a banner gives us our identity. 

This characteristic of God blows my mind, I never thought something as a simple as a banner can have so much "weight" behind it and be so powerful.  I think that it may even be a new favourite of mine. 

 

xKx