The Chosen Key Word in this Chapter is “My banner” it comes from the Hebrew Word “nissi” which means “my banner, a symbol of victory.”
Thirsty and desperate, Israel nearly turns violent against the man who led them out of Egypt. Welcome to Bible Life Basics Chapter Reviews, I am Chris and this is Exodus 17.
Traveling onward, Israel camps at Rephidim, where there is no water to drink. The people chide with Moses so fiercely that he fears they are about to stone him, crying out to the Lord in genuine desperation. God instructs Moses to strike a specific rock at Horeb with the same rod he used on the Nile, promising that water will come out of it for the people to drink. Moses obeys in front of the elders of Israel, and water flows from the rock. Moses names the place Massah and Meribah, meaning temptation and strife, because of how the people had tested the Lord there.
Soon after, the Amalekites attack Israel at Rephidim. Moses instructs Joshua to choose men and fight, while he himself climbs a hill with the rod of God in his hand. As long as Moses holds up his hands, Israel prevails in battle, but whenever his hands grow tired and fall, Amalek prevails instead. Aaron and Hur solve this by seating Moses on a stone and holding up his hands, one on each side, until the sun sets, and Joshua defeats Amalek and his people decisively.
God instructs Moses to record this victory in a book as a memorial, and Moses builds an altar there, naming it Jehovah-nissi, meaning “the LORD is my banner.” The Hebrew word “nissi” means “my banner,” a symbol of God’s rallying protection and victory over His people’s enemies.
Moses could not win this battle through his own strength any more than Israel could produce water from a dry rock on their own. Victory came through total dependence on God, whether through a rod striking a rock, or hands held up in prayer, sometimes needing the support of others just to keep them raised.
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