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“Moses built an altar and named it The LORD is my Banner.” Exodus 17:15 NASB
The children of Israel made it out of Egypt through the Red Sea. Pharaoh was no longer a threat to them. God had miraculously provided for them. But they murmured and complained against Moses. The people were thirsty but there was no water. God tells Moses to take some of the elders of Israel and with your staff strike the rock at Horeb and water will come out of rock. Not long after, while they are still in Rephidim, the Amalekites attack them. Moses sends Joshua with men who would fight for them. Moses go up to the top of the hill with the staff of God. Joshua fights against Amalek. Moses, Aaron and Hur are stationed on the hill. As long as Moses hands are held up, the Israelite would win but when Moses let his hands down the Amalekites “prevailed.” Aaron and Hur sat Moses on a stone and supported his hands until sunset. So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek.
Moses is told by the LORD to write down as a memorial and recite it to Joshua. “I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.” Exodus 17:14. NAS In the verse that follows we see, “Moses built an altar and named it The LORD is my Banner.” Exodus 17:15 NAS
The LORD is my Banner. It isn’t just that Moses wanted to build an altar. There’s more to this passage than just another story about the Israelite plight to freedom. The banner says victory, we won! Scripture sometimes uses the word “standard”. It serves as a point to rally around for troops. Until recently, the raising of the American flag brought a feeling of pride and patriotism. For most of us it still has the same effect.
The story of Joshua fighting with Amalek is a picture, a shadow type for us today. The story goes back even further than the experience here in Rephidim. Amalek, the grandson of Esau, is a picture of man trying to do things his way instead of God’s way. It is a picture of the flesh crying out to have his own way. The children of Israel cried out from their flesh for water and food. They grumbled and complained just as we do. The victory over our flesh can be overcome by the LORD who is our banner. His name is Jehovah Nissi.
Isaiah 59:19, “So they will fear the name of the LORD from the west and His glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him.” Our victory over the enemy is in Jesus who is our victor. In Exodus we are told that the LORD will “utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under the heaven.”
At Calvary, Jesus disarmed the enemy.
Psalm 20:5-8 “May we shout for joy over your victory and lift up our banners in the name of God. Now this I know: The LORD gives victory to his anointed. He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
All of us wrestle with our flesh daily. All of us are under attack by the enemy daily. All who trust in Jehovah Nissi have victory when we trust in Him to fight our battles. All we need to remember is to stay under the covering of the standard. We are to walk by the Spirit and not fulfill the deeds of the flesh. There is one more thing I would like to bring out from the story in Exodus. It is the picture of Aaron and Hur lifting up Moses arms when they were weary. We all have times of struggle. It seems lately there are more and more who are facing difficult times. The Aaron and Hurs are essential in the body of Christ. We are friends, neighbors, coworkers, and family.
Who has had your back this week? I know I’ve had a couple of dear dear friends who have been there for me lately.
Who’s back have you had? Have you seen a sister who needs her arms held up for the battle she was facing?
Ultimately, Jehovah Nissi is the one to whom we run! But He may want to use your arms or feet to bring a helping hand, or an encouraging word to someone.
Be that sister or brother.
Battles The Afters
