Hello Beloved,
As we continue our study on the names of God, we have moved from the compound names revolving around “Elohim” to the compound names revolving around “Yahweh,” God’s personal and covenant name. This week, we will consider in detail the name Yahweh-Nissi. The name comes from the two words “Yahweh” and “nissi.” Nissi originates from the Hebrew word “nes” which is translated “banner” or “standard.” Like many of our flags, the banner was an upraised standard used as a rallying point to call the whole people together to hear some vital message or to assemble and conduct an important action. The name itself means, “the Lord is our banner.”
In the early days of Israel’s wilderness wanderings, a certain group with unethical tactics known as the Amalekites attacked Israel from the rear, picking off those who were stragglers like the weak and elderly (Deut 25:17-18). This of course, was bad form. Israel, in defending itself, fought with the Amalekites. Moses stood on top of a hill, overlooking the battle, with the staff of God in his hand. Whenever Moses lifted his hand, Israel prevailed, but whenever he lowered his hand, the Amalekites prevailed (Ex 17:8-13). The raised hands have often been interpreted as a type of prayer, while the lowered hands would have inferred a ceasing to pray and a ceasing to depend on God for help. Consider the Psalmist who states, “So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.” Psalm 63:4 (ESV)
After a while, Moses grew weary, so his followers put a stone under him while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, both on either side. Because his hands were steady till the going down of the sun, Joshua and Israel overwhelmed the Amalekites (Ex 17:8-13). The Scripture states, “And Moses built an altar and called the name of it, The Lord Is My Banner, saying, ‘A hand upon the throne of the Lord! The Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation’” Exodus 17:15–16 (ESV). The significance of this altar and its name reveal that Moses recognized God gave the victory and triumph over Israel’s enemies.
I can remember sitting in the stands for a football or basketball game while attending the University of Arkansas. During the pre-game rallies, the cheerleaders would seek to motivate the crowds and ready them for the game by leading them in a couple of “Whoo pig sooui’s” (Razorbacks were the mascot) or a “fight Arkansas fight.” But at the exact right moment they would bring out the big guns, the Arkansas flag. When the flag was unveiled, usually by a male cheerleader running onto the field or the court and waving it frantically back and forth while the Arkansas fight song played, the crowd was usually whipped into a frenzy, and we were ready to cheer our beloved Hogs on to victory.
Too often, as Christians, we forget that we do not fight for victory but from victory. Christ gained our victory on the cross. This same Lord who gained us the victory over the power of sin and death can also empower us by His spirit to live the victorious Christian life no matter what our circumstances. So let us remember when we feel weak and vulnerable, as Moses did, our Yahweh-Nissi, or that the Lord is our banner.
Until next time, this is Pastor Daniel writing, “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.”
*Material for this newsletter article are taken from the notes of Jim Smith,
Professor of Bible and Theology at Brookes Bible College.