Jehovah Nissi

What I Learned from the Homework

The word ‘allegiance’ lingered in my mind as I finished the homework, with good reason.  It’s meaning is very much intertwined with knowing the LORD as Jehovah Nissi, the Lord is my Banner. This week we studied Moses and the Israelites as they traveled through the wilderness and God revealed himself to them as Jehovah Nissi.  From their encounters we learned where we should put our allegiance, how it can be challenged, and the way we can always come out victorious.

The Birth of the Israelites Allegiance

The homework took us through several passages in Exodus 14 through 17 that established a pattern in the relationship between God and the Israelites. God parted the Red Sea, giving the Israelites an escape route from the Egyptians. “And when the Israelites saw the great power the LORD displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant” (Ex. 15:21).  Following their declaration of allegiance the Israelites were tested many times by circumstances and they responded by grumbling against the Lord. We were asked in the homework to think about how this pattern might be replicated in our own lives.  Because of circumstances we are currently facing, we may forget God’s faithfulness in the past and grumble about a seeming lack of provision.

Going back to the Israelites, in Exodus 17 the pattern continued. “The Israelites quarreled and …they tested the LORD saying, "Is the LORD among us or not?" (Ex. 17:7).  We then read in verse 8, “The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim”.  The homework makes the sobering point, “Could it be when we express our uncertainty towards God that it is like a banner waving over our heads broadcasting our vulnerability?”(A. Solomon, Jehovah Nissi).  We were directed toward 1 Peter 5:8-9a, “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Resist him, standing firm in the faith”.   What really hit me is that we do have what it takes to stand firm in the midst of circumstances. We do not have to broadcast our vulnerabilities - we can stand firm in our faith in the LORD!!

The Partnership of Allegiance

In Exodus 17:8-16,  we read of the battle between the Israelites and the Amalekites.  In this battle there was a leader (Moses), supporters (Aaron and Hur), and the one on the battlefield (Joshua).  They all worked together and God brought the victory.  The same is true in our own lives.  In certain situations we may take the role of leader, supporter or the one in the battle but we need to remember we are not in this fight alone!!

The Victory of Allegiance

In the final verses of Exodus 17 it says “Moses built an altar and called it The LORD is my Banner. He said, "For hands were lifted up to the throne of the LORD. The LORD will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation. (Ex. 17:7-8).  We will learn more about the banner in the class lesson notes but for now let’s concentrate on the words ‘For hands were lifted’. 

The homework makes the point that the ‘hands lifted’ were not ‘to’ the Lord but ‘against’ the Lord. Here is Exodus 17:16 from the Amplified Version: “Because theirs is a hand against the throne of the Lord, the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.” The Amalekites had lifted their hands against God’s people and God took this very seriously.  It says in Song of Songs 2:4, “He has taken me to the banquet hall, and his banner over me is love”.  We are God’s, He loves us and He fights for us!!

What I Learned in Class

Our lesson on Tuesday was called The Rod of God…a compelling title! You might wonder what this has to do with the name of God we are studying this week.  By the end of the lesson I had a whole new appreciation for what Moses meant when he wrote in Exodus 17:7, “Moses built an altar and called it The LORD is my Banner”.   I hope you will too!

1) The ‘rod of God’ was meant to be a sign to the Israelites.

Before continuing, please read  Exodus  4:1-8.  In this passage God uses the staff (or rod) that Moses had in his hand as a sign to show His power.  When Moses went to Pharaoh God continued to use Moses’ staff as a sign of His power. If you remember back to the parting of the Red Sea, the staff was also used by God.  Arlene made a great point about Moses’ rod – it was already in his hand.  What does this mean to us? God will use what we already have in our hand for His purposes.  We can’t underestimate His power to do this.  “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might” (Ecc. 9:10).

2) The ‘rod of God’ was a physical representation of God’s power.

Let’s look again at Exodus 17:7 “Moses built an altar and called it The LORD is my Banner”.  The word banner comes from the Hebrew word ‘nec’. ‘Nec’ refers to a sign or symbol that represents a cause or person, it could be a pole on which something could be displayed or a flag. ‘Banner’ comes from a root that means to be conspicuous, or raised, or to be high.

Some important things to consider: The banner was not  the altar.  Notice that Moses named the altar ‘The Lord is my Banner’. The banner was not the rod. Banners were rallying points in battle.  As the banner was lifted up above the masses it would shimmer in the sun for the people to see.  The banner was the LORD!  Moses knew that it was God who gave the power for the victory.

3)The ‘rod of God’ was not only a symbol of God’s power but also of His Grace.

Please read Numbers 21: 4-9. “The LORD said to Moses, "Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live” (Num. 21:8).  Arlene pointed out some things in the passage that clarify it’s significance.  The first is that it was a snake that was mounted on the pole.  This is striking for several reasons:  a) With few exceptions, snakes are universally feared and disliked;  b) Graven images had been prohibited by God because of the dangers of idolatry. (You remember the golden calf?) ; and c) Going back to Genesis, snakes have been associated with Satan.

Despite these three points God indeed did command Moses to make a snake and put it up on a pole.  The Israelites had to demonstrate great faith to do something that ran contrary to human reasoning yet when they did they were delivered from the plague of disease.  This was about God’s grace. 

We then went to John 3:10-15. In this passage Jesus is speaking to Nicodemus.  Jesus uses the story of Moses and the serpent to drive home a point that is the cornerstone of our faith.  “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life” (John 3:14-15).  As the Israelites looked at the serpent on the pole for deliverance from physical death, by faith and God’s grace we are able to look to the Son of Man, crucified on the cross, for deliverance from spiritual death.

4) The “rod of God” carries the temptation to be worshiped.

Jumping ahead to 2 Kings 18, Scripture again references the serpent on the pole. In this passage Hezekiah begins to reign in Judah and undertakes the task of purifying the land. “He removed the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. He broke into pieces the bronze snake Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had been burning incense to it. (It was called Nehushtan.)”  (2 Kings 18:4).  We have learned that the Banner is the Lord yet the Israelites fell into worshiping the banner itself, not what it represented. Israelites no longer declared the “LORD is my banner” but rather “the banner is my LORD” Arlene asked us if there might be a ‘Nehushtan’ in our own lives, something, that if it was destroyed, could very well destroy us. This thing may well come as a gift from God. It could be a person, a church, a financial blessing, or even a ministry.  The question we must ask ourselves, “If tragedy strikes, where do I run first?  To the Lord or to the banner?” This is not a question to ask in condemnation, rather, there is freedom on the other side!!

Wrapping It All Up

In conclusion, what will stay with me most from this lesson is that the LORD in MY banner!   As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ I think we can all say that we have pledged our allegiance to Him but we want to truly live in the light of what this allegiance means. He is our rallying point, our  victory is from Him, not only does He give us what we need for victory but He fights for us.  This should give you the confidence in knowing that you are truly more than a conqueror!

“Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth.”  Psalm 60:4 (KJV)

Happy Thanksgiving!

"I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. This will please the LORD more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hoofs. The poor will see and be glad - you who seek God, may your hearts live!" Psalm 69:30-32

There is no better way to give glory to God then through a heart of thanksgiving. Would you agree?  Let us, during this busy Thanksgiving season, take a moment to glorify God here on this blog with words by leaving a comment about what we are thankful for, for it pleases Him.  All the preparations for our family feasts doesn't quite touch the heart of God like praising His name in song and bringing glory to Him with thanksgiving.  He is so worthy!!

I will start.

Aside from all that God has given me through His son and the beautiful family He has entrusted me with....I am so thankful for all you. You bless me far more then words could express. Your love for His word and faithfulness in serving Him even in the midst of a "storm" inspire and amaze.

Love you much my sisters.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Shalom!
Arlene

A Call To Courage

I find myself without words. 

It has been two weeks since Sandy struck the shores of New Jersey.  How does one describe the devastation and loss that has overtaken us?

I normally process overwhelming issues of life through words.  Somehow working it out on my laptop helps.  Today my hands type, then delete, then pause, then repeat.  This is too big.  Everything I write sounds trite.  There are no words. 

Perhaps those more eloquent or more experienced in this vocation may be able to do a better job at portraying what this state has been through.  Maybe it isn’t that I have no words, maybe I have too many.  I just can’t seem to organize them properly.

One word, though, keeps calling me.   Just one.  It is more instructional then descriptive.  It follows me through-out my day.  As I watch the reports on TV, deliver groceries to the food bank, scan facebook for local updates, and help with neighbors as I can.  One word keeps calling.  Courage. 

I confess at times like this many of us, myself included, find our theology challenged.  What we believed about God and who He is in our lives can be rocked.  He refuses to stay in the box that we have designed for Him.  We question “How could a good God allow this kind of thing to happen?”  We discover that our theology isn’t quite matching our reality. 

I get particularly edgy and uncomfortable around those who think that they have the answers.  They seemed to have it all worked out in their own minds.  I guess I am not as spiritual as some.  Maybe I need to read my Bible more.  It just doesn’t seem that simple to me. 

There is something I do know.  I know the Bible tells us that in the last days we can expect more and more of this kind of thing happening.  “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed.  Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.  Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.  There will be famines and earthquakes in various places…Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me” (Matt 24:6-9 emphasis mine)

Jesus tells us not to be “alarmed”, but I am.  I can’t help myself.  I am merely flesh.  I suppose if I was more spiritual like those who have all the answers, I wouldn’t be alarmed.  But I quake.  Yet the Spirit keeps whispering “Courage”. 

I am reminded of another place in scripture when a man was faced with fearful circumstances and he too kept hearing the word “courage”.  But that voice didn’t just call him to courage but told him where the source of that courage could be found.  The man was Joshua and the voice was that of the LORD God. 

In the first two chapters of Joshua, we find several encouragements from God that pointed to Joshua’s source of courage as he prepared for the conquest of Canaan, the land God promised to Israel.  I think they might help us to press forward amidst the theological confusion left in the wake of super storm Sandy.

There are five encouragements; we will take them one at a time as we answer the question “Where does Godly courage come from?”

Courage comes from knowing that God will fulfill His promises.

“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them.”    Joshua 1:6

Joshua could be courageous in what God was asking Him to do because God always keeps His promises.  Did you notice it says that God was giving them the land?  While God was going to give them the land, they were going to have to fight to take it.  What spiritual land has God promised to you that the enemy is sitting on?  What do you have to fight for?

Courage comes knowing you will succeed as you obey God

“Be strong and very courageous.  Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go”  Joshua 1:7

Joshua’s courage was rooted in following his commanding officer, his LORD God and the battle plan He had laid out for him.  Knowing that God would be faithful to fulfill His promise, all Joshua needed to do was listen and obey. 

Courage comes from knowing God is with us

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:9 (emphasis mine)

Not much one can add to that.

Courage comes from having people that encourage you.

“Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey your word, whatever you may command them, will be put to death.  Only be strong and courageous.”  Joshua 1:18.

After Joshua gave the marching order to the Israelites to go into the land and fight for what God said would be theirs, this was the peoples response.  This time the call to “be strong and courageous” came from the Israelites to Joshua.  Do you surround yourself with people who encourage you to act courageously?

Courage comes from the right perspective

“”I know that the LORD has given this land to you and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you…..When we heard of it our hearts melted and everyone’ courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.”  Joshua 2:9 &11 (emphasis mine)

At this point, the Israelites are sitting on the edge of the Jordan and two spies have been sent in to scout out the territory for military intel.  They meet a prostitute Rahab in Jericho who gives them the perspective of their enemy.  They were melting in fear and their courage had failed them.  The Israelites had the upper hand.  They had a change of perspective that would bring them courage.  They had a sneak peek of what was really going on.  How does your perspective need to change so you could walk more courageously?

The life of Joshua compels me to live more fully for God.  What set this man apart from everyone else?  I think it was because He chose to live strong before the LORD.  No matter what transpired and how dire the situation, he chose to trust and stay loyal to God.  Even though he was born into slavery in Egypt, lost his parents at an early age, spent forty years in the wilderness because his fellow Israelites didn’t have the same faith he had when first approached the promised land, He stayed loyal to God.  Even though he watched his spiritual leaders and heroes die one by one until only his fellow believing spy Caleb was left, and he would be in constant warfare and bloodshed over the remainder of his life, he still remained loyal to the LORD.  Even when it didn’t make sense.

Joshua chose to believe God rather than what his circumstances might dictate.  Joshua was loyal through his whole life.  Through every experience, he believed that God was working it for good.  No matter how things looked and even if he couldn’t understand the way of things, he stayed devoted to God.  Because of this loyalty God was able to work out His plan for His people through Joshua. 

So what do we do with this?  How do we continue with spiritual courage in spite of Sandy?  How do we stay loyal to the end like Joshua?  Listen to this account I borrowed from Living Fearlessly by Lenya Heitzig and Penny Rose (p31)

Some jest that God was working overtime when He created the natural wonders of Hana, Hawaii.  But locals say God went out of His way to work a miracle when their ancestors began building a church in 1860.  Legend says men were diving for coral to make stone for the church, but the process was difficult and dangerous since the coral was deep offshore.  They were forced to swim out far, dive deep, and come up with only small amounts of coral each dive.  Then a storm hit and swept coral from the deep onto the beach.  This allowed the community to gather what they needed and finish their building.  When the church was completed, another storm came and washed the coral back out to sea.  They decided to name the church The Coral Miracle Church. 

Could God be building His church because of a storm?  Could the shaking brought by Sandy be the very thing that turns people to Him?  Could the calamity and devastation be the catalyst that will help us see our need for Him?  Maybe we need to be like Joshua and even though things don’t make sense, trust God anyway.

I don’t know.  It seems right to me.  Like I said, I don’t have all the answers.  Only a word.

Courage

          “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be women of courage; be strong.  Do everything in love”                    1 Corinthians 16:13