I received the following via email from a friend. I don’t know who the original author is, but I love this information and, more than that, I love the ONE it reveals: our great and beautiful heavenly father. I’ve been thinking about the image of the Lord as my banner recently. It really stuns me with its proclamation and sense of belonging. I think I am newly aware of this because I am engaged and transitioning toward having a shared home with my husband-to-be – a castle of love, glory, and GOD. His banner over US truly is love. He is the flag flying over our castle now and always.

The Lord My Banner: Adonai Nissi (יְהוָה נִסִּי)

“Moses built an altar and called it The LORD [YHVH] is my Banner.”  (Exodus 17:15)

The Lord My Banner or Adonai Nissi (YHVH Nissi) is the name Moses called the altar that he built when he rejoiced over Israel’s victory over the Amalekites at Rephidim.

To understand this name, consider that today, military units and even marching bands often rally behind the standard bearer carrying the flag that identifies the group.

So too, Moses rallied behind the Lord, his Standard-Bearer, and He led the way to victory.

There are several interpretations of the name Nissi (My Banner or My Miracle), which could be derived from nes (miracle, banner, sign); nasa (lifted up), or nus(flee for refuge).

End-Time Messianic Prophecies in Isaiah 11 and Isaiah 49

The Hebrew prophet Isaiah called the Messiah (Root of Jesse) a banner (nes) in a Messianic prophecy.

“In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner [nes] for the peoples; the nations [Goyim] will rally to him, and His place of rest will be glorious.”  (Isaiah 11:10)

Also in Isaiah 49, Isaiah uses the word nissi in connection with the Messiah and the end-time restoration of Israel.

“See, I will beckon to the Gentiles [Goyim], I will lift up my banner [nissi] to the peoples; they will bring your sons in their arms and carry your daughters on their shoulders.”  (Isaiah 49:22)

God’s “banner over us” symbolizes His presence, provision, redemptive power, and love.

We no longer need to be out there on our own, gaining the victory through our own might and devices.  He is our rallying point and our Banner, and we can confidently look to Him for direction and help.

“He has taken me to the banquet hall, and his banner [dagal] over me is love [ahava].”  (Song of Solomon 2:4)