First we have to understand where this name came from and why it was so important. As we look deeper into God's Word we discover some very important truths that were established thousands of years ago. Keep in mind that God does not change, He is the same yesterday, today and forever.
When we read about the battles and wars in the Old Testament it may help to understand why these battles took place. According to Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:11 these conflicts were recorded for us as examples. We still face the same spiritual battles today as they did back in Moses' time. Now lets look at the battle that brought about the name Jehovah Nissi. We will pick this up in Exodus 17:8-16. There are some important points that we need to pay attention to such as, 1. Who were the Amalekites? 2. Why was God so intent on wiping them out? 3. What implications does this have for us today?
In order to fully understand this passage of scripture we need to understand the history behind them. The Amalekites were descendants of Amalek, the grandson of Esau, who was Jacob's twin brother. Look at Genesis 25:19-34 and pay attention to the last verse. Esau despised his birthright. Birthrights were extremely important as to who received the inheritance of the father. God established the birthright of His Son Jesus Christ, who was his only begotten Son. Christ inherited all that His Father had through His death and resurrection. Esau sold His birthright for a bowl of stew. The bible says that God despised Esau because of his wickedness: I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness... They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them, the border of wickedness, and, The people against whom the Lord hath indignation for ever. Malachi 1:3-4.
Now we need to remember that God is a God of love and mercy, He does not change. Yet God says emphatically that "My indignation will burn against this nation forever." When we read about accounts such as this in the scriptures we need to look beyond the surface story. According to David Wilkerson in his book "Know God By Name" he states this:
What exactly is happening here? I believe that God is speaking of none other than Satan and his demonic powers. You see, Amalek is a biblical representation of the devil's hostility toward Christ and His Body on earth. The margin note in an old Puritan Bible states the following as God's reason for declaring war on Amalek: "Because his hand is against the throne of God." This war continues today because Satan has never ceased his efforts to thwart God's eternal purposes. Amalek represents the devil, the enemy of the Lord, whose "hand is against the throne of God." Right up until the time of Jesus' birth Satan put his hand against God's throne by trying to destroy the lineage that would give birth to the promised Christ. The enemy did everything he possibly could to wipe out God's people.Saul was the chosen king after the people complained about not having a king like the other nations. Saul received instructions from God through the Prophet Samuel to wipe out this nation. Nothing was to be left. Saul disobeyed those instructions and suffered the consequences of rebellion against Gods' Word.
Satan gained control of the Amalekites when Esau sold his birthright by despising God's instructions. If Saul would have obeyed God's word I wonder how different our world would be today. The battles that were fought in these days wasn't necessarily against the people or the humans, it was against Satan himself. The problem was that the people followed the ways of Satan and were being used by him to thwart God's purposes.
So what does all this mean for you and me today? When God gave man authority over this earth God did not hold back any portion of that authority. Look at Genesis 1:26 and pay attention to the part about "let them rule over". When Adam and Eve rebelled against God, God did not take back that authority. God to this day works through man to accomplish His purposes. When Adam sinned, he turned over this authority to Satan. Satan is referred to as the ruler of this world, the prince of darkness, etc. Look at Ephesians 6:10-12. We are in a spiritual battle not a physical one. In order for God to purge the land of His enemies He had to destroy that which Satan had control over, the Amalekites. Rebellion is like a cancer that spreads throughout the body, or the in the case of Israel, the hearts of the people. God's eternal purposes are much higher than our purposes. Our purposes should come from God, but unless we submit ourselves to His ways we like the Amalekites are influenced by God's enemy, satan. Satan is the "prince of this world" and he does control those who are not under the "Grace" of God. Satan has never stopped being against the throne of God. He still comes against God's people no matter where they live. Satan will do everything he can to destroy God's eternal purposes. As long as there is one child of God on this earth Satan will attempt to destroy that person.
If you are not living under the influence of God, you are being influenced by satan and his cohorts. There is no middle ground, you are either for God, the creator, or you are for the prince of this world, satan the destroyer. You can come under God's influence if you receive His Son as your personal saviour, place your trust in Him and follow His ways. When Christ was crucified and shed His blood for us he ultimately paid the price for all our sins, or rebellion. Before Christ ascended back into heaven He went to the depths of hell and took back the authority that man had given up. Satan no longer has authority over you as long as you are under the blood of Christ. This requires belief and faith in the person of Christ. When we receive Christ as our Lord and Saviour, we also receive back that authority Adam lost in the beginning.
Our war is not with the physical, but with the spiritual. When you see all the heartache in this world remember from where it comes. The spirit that controlled the Amalekite's is still at large and looking for those it can control. Remember, the Lord is our banner, our ensign. Exodus 17:15 tells us that the Lord is our hope, the Lord will fight our battles if we will hold Him up above all else. When we depend on Him as our Captain, He will lead the charge and fight the battle before us.
I leave you with this quote from David Wilkerson's book, "Knowing God By Name."
Satan has one simple strategy against you in this battle: He wants to convince you to give up on Jesus. That is why he tries to terrify you, to cause you to faint in your faith--so you will distrust Christ and desert Him. He wants to make you run from the battle, to leave the Lord's army and stop being His representative on earth. This is how the enemy plans to destroy the seed--by killing off Christ's army one soldier at a time."
Satan's primary purpose in his battle against you is to totally discourage you. He wants to get you focused on the awfulness of your sin, persuaded you are powerless to resist temptation and convinced that God has left you alone so that you will no longer look to Christ's victory on the cross."
"O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not our hearts faint, feat not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them; for the Lord your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you." Deuteronomy 20:3-4
"King David always knew the battle was not his. He knew it rested completely in God's hands. That is why he could stand without fear as he faced the giant Goliath. David said, "The battle isn't mine--it's the Lord's. You have not defied me, Goliath--you have defied the living God. You have put your hand against His throne. And now you have to face Him on the battlefield." 1 Samuel 17:36, 47 (David Wilkerson, Knowing God By Name)May God of heaven bless you in these troubled days. I hope all will put their total trust in the one true God.
