OUR FLAG
Exodus 17: 8-16
Jehovah-nissi means the LORD our banner. A banner is a flag, an ensign. Christ Jesus is the believer's banner (Isaiah 11:10.) Christ Jesus has been given for a banner for the purpose that God’s elect scattered throughout the world, might be gathered unto him. Our Banner was given by God the Father (Psalm 60: 4.) Christ is given as a Banner to them, who by God's effectual grace fear God. God has given Christ to us as a Banner to be displayed “because of the Truth.” The Son of man must be lifted up: upon the cross, to the right hand of the Father, in the heart he has made new, in the gospel that goes forth, and in all our glorying before God (John 3: 14, 15.) This text shows us why it is a necessity for the believer that the LORD our Banner be exalted.
Then (Exodus 17: 8)
Before this, the rock had been smitten. Christ Jesus is that Rock smitten upon the cross (1 Corinthians 10: 4.) The Water flowed out of the Rock, typical of the Holy Spirit flowing into the hearts he has made new through the blood of Christ in putting away the sin of his people. Then came Amalek. The believer's warfare begins when God calls us out of darkness into his Light. These Amalekites were the descendents of Esau, the twin brother of Jacob (Israel.) They hated Israel because of the birthright and the blessing which Israel had been given freely by God. This is why the believer's enemies wage war against us. The world and the devil are the enemies of the believer, as Amalek and his people were to Israel (Genesis 3: 15; Romans 8: 7; James 4: 4.) Yet, chiefly, our warfare is against the old, fleshly nature within us (Romans 7: 15; Galatians 5: 17.) The children of Israel had been quarreling against Moses and thus they were feeble, faint and weary. While they were distracted by this, Amalek took advantage. But in spite of them, God saved them through the Rod, typifying God's salvation through Christ Jesus our Banner. The LORD told Moses to record this and remind the people often who it was that won this victory, and who would continue to win this whole war forever. (Exodus 17: 14; Deuteronomy 25: 17.)
The Believer's Warfare (Exodus 17: 9-11.)
The true Israel of God is God's chosen people called into God's light from the four corners of the earth. We are called by Christ our Savior into a warfare against our enemy. Yet, our strength is in ever-depending upon Christ through whom the victory is won. Christ is the Rod, the Power and Wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1: 24.) As long as the believer beholds Christ through the Spirit, through gospel of Christ, our confidence is in Christ alone and we prevail in this warfare. When Christ is not exalted the enemy begins to prevail just as when Moses hands let down the rod. The believer must always keep our full attention on the Lord our Banner (I Peter 5: 8-11; Galatians 5:16; Colossians 3: 1-3.) Our strength is in the Glory of Christ’s Person--notice, Joshua went into battle with them. Christ is God with us (Matthew 28:20.) Our strength is the efficacy of Christ’s Atonement (Hebrews 1: 3; 9: 12.) Believers are given strength by the sufficiency of Christ's righteousness (Ephesians 1:6: Colossians 2: 10-15.) We are kept by the power of his saving grace (1 Peter 1:5; Philippians 1:6; 2 Timothy 1: 12.) Just as do soldiers in a battle beholding the flag of their country, these men fought and gained strength as they saw the Rod of God lifted up on top of the mountain. So every believer, though wounded and weary in the fight, gains new strength as we behold Christ our Banner.
The Work of God In Us (Exodus 17: 12, 13.)
The battle is long. We become weary. The enemy within and without is too mighty for us; often it appears the enemy will ultimately prevail. Yet, "the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds" (2 Corinthians 10:4) God uses those he has called by his grace, our brethren, to encourage one another, to point one another to Christ Jesus, just as Aaron and Hur helped Moses. In Aaron and Hur we see Christ our High Priest who through the Holy Spirit sets us upon Christ our Foundation Stone. When the Rod of God is high and lifted up by God in our own hearts he strengthens our hands with a look to Christ. Even as Joshua won the victory so Christ has, does and shall prevail over all our enemies through the sword of the gospel.
Write It and Rehearse It in the Ears (Exodus 17: 14-16.)
Moses was commanded to write this and repeat if continually in the ears of Joshua, who like the believer is called into this warfare. Moses was not commanded to build a memorial to himself or to any of the men with him, but to give honor to whom honor is due. So he called the name, Jehovah-nissi, the LORD my Banner. Our great God assures his children that in Christ we shall ultimately prevail over all our enemies, because Christ hath prevailed and is our strength. He speaks in the heart made new saying, "Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16: 33). Our warfare is accomplished (Isaiah 40: 1, 2.)
Under our nations flag we see people from all walks of life, all backgrounds, all kindreds, but we are all united under one banner, the stars and stripes. Preeminently more so, Christ is that union for all believers (Galatians 3: 28, 29.) Christ is the Banner of his Church. Under this Banner we fight. Under this Banner we prevail. And to this Banner we rally.