A banner is a wonderful picture of God’s protection and deliverance. His banner over us symbolizes his presence, his power and his provision. God as our banner is a symbol and reminder that we need to depend on him for victory in our battles and not our own strength and effort.
Many scholars see Amalek as a picture/type representing the enemies that God’s people face — those being the flesh, the world and the devil (Galatians 5:16, John 16:33, Galatians 6:14, 1 Peter 5:8-10). But like the Israelites, when we face an enemy, we are not called to fight in our own strength and power. We are to trust and know that the Lord will fight for us. We are to rely upon him. We are to look to Jesus — our banner — Jehovah Nissi.
It will come about in that day, that the nations will resort to the root of Jesse, who will stand as a signal.
Isaiah 11:10ESV
Read the following passages and note what you learn about God as our banner of protection and deliverance.
- Romans 8:37-39
- Psalm 60:4
- Psalm 20:7-8
- Song of Songs 2:4
It’s easy to become discouraged when we look at the world and the daily suffering and discord all around us. It’s easy to become discouraged and feel defeated in our own lives at times. However, the book of Hebrews begins with the author reminding us of how God speaks to us. He then goes on to exclaim and expound about the greatness and superiority of Jesus. One day Jesus will return and rule and reign overall. He is greater than anything we are tempted to trust in this life.
Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
Hebrews 2:8-9ESV