Exodus 17:15
And Moses built an altar and called its name, The-Lord-Is-My-Banner (NKJV)
Moshe built an altar, called it Adonai Nissi (CJB)
And Moshe built a Mizbe’ach, and called the shem of it Hashem Nissi (OJB)
And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovah-Nissi (ASV)
This week we tackle the names, Adonai Nissi, Hashem Nissi, and Jehovah Nissi. All of these names mean the same thing, the Lord is my Banner. But what does it mean to be a banner?
First, we need to understand the context in which this verse occurs. When Moses built the altar and named it, the Israelites had just come out of a battle victorious. But it is what occurred during that battle that frames this verse. When we see what happened in the second half of Exodus 17, the Israelites are engaged in war with the Amalekites. During this battle, Moses stood at the top of a hill with the rod of God in his hand. It was this battle that as long as Moses held the rod up and his arms were raised the Israelites would prevail. However, the moment his arms fell the Amalekites would start to prevail. Thus because Moses arms became heavy and tired, he started to falter so Aaron and Hur went up on the hill and held Moses arms up (one on each side of him). And they stayed that way until the battle was won. When the battle had completed Moses built an altar to God.
God was that banner. AS long as Moses held up the rod, the banner, the physical show that God walked with Moses, then the Israelites won the battle. God was their banner, high above them while they were in battle.
And God is our banner. We have to raise Him high above us while we are in battle. We have to look to Him during the battle. And we cannot falter. The moment we lower Him; is the moment we will lose the battle.
Take the time this week to know God as your banner. Learn the ways you can hold up God high above while you are in battle. Get you an Aaron and Hur to stand beside you and lift your arms when you are tired. TO encourage you and uplift you and walk beside you.
Avraham called the place Adonai Yir’eh [Adonai will see (to it), Adonai provides] — as it is said to this day, “On the mountain Adonai is seen.” (CJB)And Avraham called the name of that place Hashem Yireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of Hashem it shall be provided. (OJB)And Abraham named that place The Lord Will Provide, so today it is said: “It will be provided on the Lord’s mountain.” (HCSB)And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-Jireh. As it is said to this day, In the mount of Jehovah it shall be provided. (ASV)And Abraham called the name of the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the Lord it shall be provided.” (NKJV)
(Genesis 22:14)
