CHRIST AS JEHOVAH-NISSI
Exodus 17:15
A parallel account is found in Deuteronomy 25:17f.

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Israel won a glorious victory over Amalek at Rephidim. The account of this incident is recorded in Exodus 17:8-16. A parallel account is found in Deuteronomy 25:17f.

This battle fought by Israel is typical of the battle being fought by the church.

1. Amalek's attack was waged by those "who did not fear God." Likewise, the church today must "wrestle against ... the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12). These spiritual powers often employ the forces of the unbelieving world in their attacks against the church.
2. Amalek's attack was unprovoked: Israel was a band of pilgrims who had done nothing against Amalek to warrant this attack. Likewise, the church is but a band of pilgrims (1 Peter 2:11) seeking peace in and for the world, and should do nothing against the world to warrant its attacks. Acts of physical violence in the name of religion befit the religions of the world, but not the religion of Christ (Matthew 26:52).
3. Amalek's attack was cruel: Amalek "attacked your rear ranks, all the stragglers at your rear, when you were tired and weary." Likewise, the world's attacks against the church have been known for their cruelty, as testified, for example, in Fox's Book of Christian Martyrs.
4. Israel's defense was led by Joshua. (He is here introduced for the first time.) The name Joshua in the Hebrew Old Testament text corresponds to Jesus in the Greek New Testament text (see Hebrews 4:8). These names mean "savior" (Matthew 1:21). Jesus the Christ leads the defense of God's children as the Head and Savior of the church (Ephesians 5:23).
5. Israel's victory was assured by the uplifting of the rod in Moses' hand. This rod was the symbol of God's power (Psalm 23:4). The uplifting of it was the symbol of that faith which assures "the victory that has overcome the world" (1 John 5:4).

Israel commemorated its victory by erecting an altar named Jehovah-Nissi, "The-LORD-Is-My-Banner." The banner of a military force is important and dear to its soldiers. It identifies the company it represents. It is ever lifted high for all to see. It marks the gathering place of the soldiers who are represented by it. It goes before them in their march into the battle. It is quickly raised again when the soldier carrying it falls in the fray. It goes before them in their parade when they return victoriously. Christ is Jehovah-Nissi!

i. Christ is the Banner given by God. The Banner of His people is neither a crucifix, the so-called "Star of David," the so-called "Christian Flag," the flag of a so-called "Christian nation," the "sign of Constantine," nor any other emblem. The Banner of the church of God is Christ!
ii. Christ is given as the Banner to those who reverence God, and to them alone. Christ is the Banner of none except those who believe the gospel.
iii. Christ is given as the Banner to be displayed. The church does this by declaring the truth concerning Him.

2. Christ is therefore to God's church what a banner is to a military force (see Isaiah 11:10-12; 49:22; 59:19; 62:10).

i. Christ is important and dear to His people. He is, in the totality of both His glorious person and efficacious work, the sum and substance of all the church holds dearest, and of all they believe and preach, and of all they are and have in their relationship with the Father.
ii. Christ alone represents the church of God. Not even Moses or Elijah or Peter or Paul or Augustine or John Calvin is a suitable substitute. iii. Christ alone is lifted high by God's church for all to see. The church would have all to see "Jesus only" (Matthew 17:8).
iv. Christ alone marks the gathering place of God's church (Genesis 49:10).
v. Christ alone goes before God's church when they enter the fray (Revelation 19:11-16).
vi. When the Christian holding Christ aloft fall in the battle, God raises another to take his place so that Christ is ever exalted – as Elisha took the place of Elijah (2 Kings 2:1ff).
vii. Christ alone will go before His church when they enter heaven in victory (Hebrews 2:13).