A Historical and Spiritual Look at Banners
(continued from page 3 )
Jehovah Nissi – The Lord is my Banner
Exodus Chapter 17 describes some of the trials of the Hebrews in the
desert, including a long and difficult battle with the Amalekites. When it
was finished, a weary but thankful Moses built an altar to the Lord and
named it, “Jehovah Nissi,” which means, “the Lord is my banner.” He was
telling the people that the Lord had granted their victory and promised
victory again (see vs. 16). This is the very first reference in the Bible to
banners.
Some of the most powerful scriptures about banners in the Bible
reveal God working for his people both through banners and through using
Himself as their banner. For example, Isaiah prophesied that, “When the
enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a banner
against him and put him to flight [59:19],” and “their stronghold will fall
because of terror; at sight of the battle standard their commanders will panic
[31:9].” The Lord fights for the church as a banner in the spiritual battles
that wage every day.
Ultimately, God promised to become a banner among His people. “In
that day, the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations
will rally to Him, and His place of rest will be glorious. He shall set up a
banner for the nations and will assemble the scattered people of Judah from
the four corners of the earth [Isaiah 11:10, 12].” This passage refers to the
coming of Jesus and all that He would do for the church. Jesus later echoed
that prophecy saying, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all
men unto me [John 12:32].” The Lord continually raises Himself up as a
rallying point and as a place of refuge and rest for His people.
Chapter 21 of the book of Numbers tells the most poignant narrative
about how God lifts Himself as a banner of healing. The Hebrew people had
sinned against God and consequently God had sent a plague of snakes
against them:
“The people came to Moses and said, ‘We sinned when we
spoke against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord
will take the snakes away from us.’ So Moses prayed for the
people. The Lord said to Moses, ‘Make a snake and put it up
on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.’ So
Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole [a banner].
Then anyone who was bitten by a snake and looked at the
bronze snake lived [21:7-9].”
This story has become one of the most beloved prophecies of how
Jesus would sacrifice Himself and be raised up for the church. Like the
disobedient Hebrews who gained life from looking at the bronze snake
banner that God commanded Moses to make, people everywhere today gain
eternal life by looking to the cross where Christ was raised up to heal the
world’s sins. “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of
Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal
life [John 3:14-15].”
His Banner Over Me…
There are many more references to banners and their significance in
the Bible, and every banner ministry, whether new or long-standing, can
only benefit by studying them. The more understanding banner-makers have
about the significance of banners in the Bible, the more they will appreciate
creating them today. In addition, Bible study is an endless source of ideas
for banner themes and designs.
Below are listed just a few of the Bible’s banner references to help get
you started. It is our prayer that God will use them to bless and enrich your
banner ministry.
• Numbers 2
• Numbers 10:14-25
• Psalm 20:5
• Psalm 60:4
• Song of Solomon 2:4
• Song of Solomon 6:4
• Isaiah 10:18
• Isaiah 13:2
• Isaiah 49:22
• Isaiah 60:10
• Jeremiah 4:6
• Jeremiah 4:21
This article is Taken from "How to Make Banners and Start a Banner Ministry" by J. Nissi Publishing and may not be reproduced without prior written permission.