Yahweh-Nissi

“Then Amalek came and fought against Israel at Rephidim. So Moses said to Joshua, ‘Choose men for us and go out, fight against Amalek Tomorrow I will station myself on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.’ Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought against Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set. So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Write this in a book as a memorial and recite it to Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.’ Moses built an altar and named it The LORD is My Banner.” Exodus 17:8-15

Yahweh, the name of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the name of the God of the Bible, contains something of His very character. Coming from the Hebrew verb to be, it is not a mere statement of existence. It is a dynamic statement of the active, awe-inspiring presence of the Living God. Yahweh is used with other words to form a compound name which emphasizes a particular truth about God. We find one here in our text - notice verse 15.

As Joshua led his men into battle against Amalek, Moses raised the staff of God, entreating God’s intervention on their behalf. Victory of defeat depended upon whether Moses continued to raise the staff of God. A clearer object lesson could not be found. Victory was from the Lord, not gained through military might or strategy.

Moses’ clear understanding of the victory resulted in an altar inscribed Yahweh-Nissi, meaning the Lord is my banner, reminding the Children of Israel of God’s presence and power with them. In your battles, your encounters with sin and wickedness, in whatever form, Yahweh-Nissi: God is with you. He is present with all power. Already He has won the victory for you. Praise Him.