What does it mean that the Lord is my banner?

Answer

Exodus 17:15–16 recounts, “Moses constructed an altar and named it The Lord is my Banner. He declared, ‘For hands were lifted up against the throne of the Lord, the Lord will wage war against the Amalekites from generation to generation.’” The phrase “The Lord is my Banner” translates to Yahweh-Nissi in Hebrew.

In an earlier part of Exodus 17, we learn about the Amalekites’ assault on the Israelites at Rephidim. Joshua and the Israelites engaged in battle with the Amalekites while Moses stood on a hilltop holding the staff of God. As long as Moses’ hands remained raised, the Israelites prevailed; when his hands drooped, the Amalekites gained the upper hand. Naturally, Moses grew weary, so he sat on a stone, and Aaron and Hur supported his hands. As a result, the Israelites emerged victorious (verse 13). Subsequently, God instructed Moses to document the events of the battle on a scroll for remembrance (verse 14). It was at this point that Moses erected the altar named “The Lord is my Banner,” signifying God’s guidance and protection of His people.

A banner serves as an emblem that distinguishes and unites a specific group of individuals. For instance, a military flag or standard is often referred to as a banner. When the Israelites proclaimed, “The Lord is my Banner,” they were affirming their identity as devoted followers of the Lord God. Additionally, a banner acts as a focal point for troops during combat. The altar constructed by Moses in Exodus 17 marked the location where God interceded on behalf of His people and pledged to completely vanquish His adversaries.

Psalm 20:5 expresses, “We will shout for joy over your victory and raise our banners in the name of our God.” Verses 6–8 further state, “Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed; he answers him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright.”

Rought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.” God’s people continue to say, “The Lord is my Banner,” because it is in His power that the enemies are vanquished (see also Psalm 60:4-5). The Lord is our Banner in that He is the One under whom we unite. He is our Savior. We are rescued by Him and identified in Him.