Reading Assignment
Exodus 16-17
And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovah-nissi…
Exodus 17:15
Israel vs the Amalekites
Israel was at war with the Amalekites. The Amalekites had proven to be a thorn in the flesh of Israel. They had been making cowardly attacks on those lagging behind, the exhausted and weak, as they trekked across the desert. Finally, as Israel rested at Rephidim, the place where God had just provided water from a rock, the Amalekites attacked the camp.
Moses chose Joshua to lead the battle. Moses stood on the hillside overlooking the valley where the battle was raging with his staff raised. As long as his staff was held high, Israel prevailed, but when his arms got tired and he lowered his staff, Amalek prevailed. Aaron, Moses’ brother, and Hur, a trusted leader, found a rock where he could sit and they stood by him all day, holding up his arms, until the battle was finally won at sunset.
At the end of the battle, Moses built an altar and called it Jehovah-nissi.
Who were the Amalekites?
The Amalekites at the time of the Exodus were a nomadic, war-like nation that primarily inhabited the Sinai Peninsula and the Negev desert towards the Wilderness of Shur, near the Egyptian border. They were the first nation to attack Israel after the Exodus, using raider tactics of hit-and-run. Their lack of respect for Yahweh and their animosity towards the Jewish nation made them long-time enemies to both the Israelites and to Elohim.
In the book of Deuteronomy, as Moses read, out-loud, the history of their wilderness journey and the statutes of the Lord, here is what he said about the Amalekites:
Remember what Amalek did unto thee by the way, when ye were come forth out of Egypt; How he met thee by the way, and smote the hindmost of thee, even all that were feeble behind thee, when thou wast faint and weary; and he feared not God. Therefore it shall be, when the Lord thy God hath given thee rest from all thine enemies round about, in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it, that thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; thou shalt not forget it. Deuteronomy 25:17-19
Unfortunately, the memory of the Amalekites was not blotted out. They surfaced several more times throughout Jewish history.
In the book of Esther, recall that Haman was the advisor to King Ahasuerus. Esther 3:10 says Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the Jews’ enemy. The Agagites were descended from King Agag, the king of the Amalekites. This was the same King Agag that King Saul, in 1 Samuel 15 was commanded to kill.
Thus saith the Lord of hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt. Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass. 1 Samuel 15:2-3
Saul, newly anointed King over Israel, disobeyed this command. This act of disobedience cost him his kingship over Israel.
Note: The Amalekites were most likely descendants of Esau, the twin brother of Jacob. Genesis 36:10-12 says that Esau’s son, Eliphaz, had a concubine named Timna. She gave birth to Amalek.
This is not to be confused with the Amalekite people-group which is mentioned in Genesis 14:7 at the time that Lot and his family were taken hostage. As the author of this chronicle, it is likely that Moses referred to this area, originally known as the Negev/Kadesh, by the name that everyone would have been familiar with in his own time.
Jehovah-nissi
The name, Jehovah-nissi, appears only one time in the Bible, in this passage in Exodus.
And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovah-nissi: For he said, Because the Lord hath sworn that the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation. Exodus 17:15-16
Jehovah-nissi means the Lord is my banner. It was first used as a name for the altar rather than as direct name for God. Even so, Jehovah Nissi is used as a name for God even today, in music and in describing God’s covering and identifying nature. It is not seen anywhere else in the Bible, yet the concept of Jehovah Nissi being a rallying-point in events and in our lives is seen over and over.
The strange way in which the battle against Amalek was won left no doubt as to the One responsible for the victory. Moses stood on the top of the hill where he could see the armies below him. He held the ‘Rod of God’ in his hand, the same rod with which he struck the rock to bring forth water. Only as the ‘Rod of God’ was held aloft did the Israelites prevail.
Moses named the altar Jehovah-nissi, signifiying that the the battle was not won by military might or superior battle plans, but by the power of God. The name also highlighted how Jehovah became a symbol of encouragement, focus and hope for all of Israel in their time of need. It served as a reminder to depend on Him for strength during struggles and conflicts.
Banners through the ages
Historically, early banners did not actually hold a flag, but rather, could have had a medallion or other insignia on the end. The ‘Rod of God’ that Moses held was simply a branch that Moses brandished to perform the miracles that God commanded. On the opposite side of the valley from where he stood, it is most likely that the banner-bearer of the Amalekites also stood holding the standard of the Amalekites.
A banner served to give identity to the armies involved. Two armies meeting in neutral territory would immediately know the identity of each other. It also served as a symbol of encouragement and hope for those in the battle. As long as the banner was visible, the soldiers knew that their cause was still alive and they continued to fight.
A banner was also a rallying point. If a signal was given to fall back, or when the battle ended, those in the battle knew which direction to go. This happened when Joshua led the Israelites against the city of Ai in Joshua 8. Their retreat drew the enemy away from the walled city so that hidden troops could ambush it.
A banner was also a focal point. By watching the banner fly in the midst of the battle, observers could tell what was happening.
Every country in the world, and every state in the USA has a banner in the form of a flag that identifies it. We pledge our allegiance to the flag, signifying support of our country. It invokes loyalty and patriotism to the degree that our National Anthem was composed around our flag. Our national flag is a symbol for unity and pride.
Banners are used today for everything from sports events to club meetings and from festivals to yard sales. They identify the event, the team, the products, the services, and the location.