“The Lord Is My Banner” (Exodus 17:8–16)

“The Lord Is My Banner” (Exodus 17:8–16)
Pastor Cameron Jungels
Eastside Baptist Church
Sunday PM, February 4, 2018

Exodus 17:8–16 (NIV)

⁸ The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. ⁹ Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.”

¹⁰ So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. ¹¹ As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. ¹² When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. ¹³ So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.

¹⁴ Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it, because I will completely blot out the name of Amalek from under heaven.”

¹⁵ Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner. ¹⁶ He said, “Because hands were lifted up against the throne of the Lord, the Lord will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation.”

 

1. The journey for God’s people will be difficult and dangerous (v. 8).

²⁰ Remember what I told you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.  ²¹ They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me. (John 15:20-21, NIV)

"All this I have told you so that you will not fall away.  ² They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God.  ³ They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me.  ⁴  I have told you this, so that when their time comes you will remember that I warned you about them. (John 16:1-4, NIV)

 

2. God’s people have a moral right to use legitimate means to defend themselves against unjust attack (vv. 9–10).

³⁵ Then Jesus asked them, "When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?" "Nothing," they answered.  ³⁶ He said to them, "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.  (Luke 22:35-36, NIV)

 

3. Every challenge and difficulty that God’s people go through provides an opportunity for God to display his glory.

4. God will defend his people, and he has a long memory and will seek justice for their oppression.

 ¹⁴ Then the LORD said to Moses, "Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it, because I will completely blot out the name of Amalek from under heaven."  ¹⁵ Moses built an altar and called it The LORD is my Banner.  ¹⁶ He said, "Because hands were lifted up against the throne of the LORD, the LORD will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation." (Exodus 17:14-16, NIV)

²⁰ Then Balaam saw Amalek and spoke his message: "Amalek was first among the nations, but their end will be utter destruction." (Numbers 24:20, NIV)

¹⁷ Remember what the Amalekites did to you along the way when you came out of Egypt.  ¹⁸ When you were weary and worn out, they met you on your journey and attacked all who were lagging behind; they had no fear of God.  ¹⁹ When the LORD your God gives you rest from all the enemies around you in the land he is giving you to possess as an inheritance, you shall blot out the name of Amalek from under heaven. Do not forget!  (Deuteronomy 25:17-19, NIV)

² This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'I will punish the Amalekites for what they did to Israel when they waylaid them as they came up from Egypt.  ³ Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy all that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.'"  (1 Samuel 15:2-3, NIV)

 

Main Idea: The faithful Lord is among his people to defend them.