Jehovah Nissi

Exodus 17:15-16

: Israel’s life in the wilderness, in the aftermath of liberation and in pursuit of Yahweh’s promise of the land.

Israel’s way to the land of promise was not without trouble and conflict.

: When we come into relationship with God, deliverances of all sorts come included:

: My fear and coming face to face with my assailants.

I believe without a shadow of a doubt that Jehovah Nissi intervened and took care of my past debt.

In Chapter 17 of Exodus we see 2 narratives of significance back to back.

The very first thing I want to point out is what is stated in verse 1.

Israel is

, ‘

.’

: We need to keep moving, progressive, gaining ground, moving toward God’s promises despite obstacles and difficulties.

What I’m about to point out is going to be very important for the rest of this morning’s thoughts.

In verse 2, the people file a complaint against Moses for his

and

.

: How does one judge competence and ineffectiveness? In church especially (since this is somewhat of an equivalence)!

I still believe that faithfulness is what God calls for, requires and blesses!

? How do we measure blessings?

Might it not rather be found in obedience, perseverance and genuine love and care for others?

Moses reply is

‘Test’ = tempt, try, prove

In this particular case what is happening is that the people by quarreling with Moses are actually quarreling with God because God has set Moses as the leader and authority.

But…Moses’ answer doesn’t satisfy or lift the burden so the people continue.

‘Why did you bring us out here to die?’’

God tells Moses, ‘

.’

‘

And he called the place Massah and Meribah

Massah = testing

Meribah = quarreling

The very common verb ריב (rib) means to strive or contend and

. Noun ריב (rib) means strife, dispute or plea. Noun יריב (yarib)

. Noun מריבה (meriba) refers to a place or agent of strife or contention.

This first section ends with the question, again, ‘Is the Lord among us or not?’

: We need to settle this question once and for all!

In Exodus 20 we find the narrative where Moses was told to ‘speak’ to the rock but instead he ‘struck it with the rod.’

: Was it a matter of faith that Moses struck (exerted force) as opposed to simply speaking in faith (with none of his own action/force to bring forth the miracle?

: On to episode two.

So, as God’s people, led by Moses, ‘moves as God has commanded,’ there is a new trial/difficulty. The people are faced with a battle from without.

FIRST A BATTLE FROM WITHIN, NOW   A BATTLE FROM WITHOUT.

Noted is:

: Now watch this…the first person mentioned is

.

(This is the first mention of Joshua in the Bible).

The name Joshua in Hebrew means ‘save’ ‘to save.’

: Some (maybe most) were quarrelling with Moses and God but others decided to fight for God and for his leader Moses.

: How is the battle won?

Moses himself doesn’t actually go into battle but is still the key figure in assuring Israel’s victory.

What is decisive for the outcome is (1) the staff held in Moses’ hand (which speaks of the power of Yahweh, (2) Joshua’s leadership.

After all the military strategy, material, and technology of the day is assembled, it is Moses’ hands being kept up that secured the victory.

: So Amalek is defeated; God even says he’ll wipe out their presence, person and memory forever; and Moses builds an altar and calls it ‘Jehovah is my Banner.’ Jehovah Nissi.

: What does it mean for God to be our banner today? Consider how banners are used, and it will begin to reveal some of what this title means.

Banners are to remember and commemorate.

Banners are labels and signets. They announce names and images which people can recognize from a great distance. They show the location and identity of a business or event so people can navigate to it.

: What have we learned about Jehovah Nissi?

:  God goes before us (17:1); God is in the midst of us to provide, bless and sustain (17:6); God; God’s authority will always prevail (17:12-13); God is Jehovah Nissi!

He is….our

, our

, our

!