Our God, Our Flag

Exodus 17:15, LB:

“Moses built an altar there and called it ‘Jehovah-nissi’ (meaning ‘Jehovah is my flag.’).”

Four simple letters; one syllable; three consonants and a solitary vowel … The word “flag” in and of itself is not at all extraordinary. Any child can sound it out phonetically and print it sloppily on a page.  And yet, the emotions it conjures up, and the images it summons to one’s mind are remarkable.  The one word “flag,” in one instant, can cause someone to think of countless things:

-          classrooms of small children with their hands over their hearts reciting the Pledge of Allegiance with childlike innocence,

        - stirring scenes from Mel Gibson’s movies The Patriot and Braveheart where the flag summons courage and valor form ordinary men,

 

-      the tears of a recent widow as she’s handed a folded flag to represent her husband’s sacrifice, his dedication and pride in serving his nation

-     

        -  the wonder of watching on grainy film as the first astronauts on the moon planted the American flag in celestial soil.  

There’s something about flags, something glorious, mysterious, and powerful.  There has to be something magnificent about flags for people to think that burning a flag could inflict such harm on the nation it represents … and for it to actually inflict such harm.

That’s why it’s so remarkable to me to see our God, the great Jehovah God, described here in Exodus 17 as our “flag.”  Some translations say that He is our banner.  Others still state that He is our “ensign.”  The only one of those words I was unfamiliar with was “ensign.” So I looked it up in the 1828 Webster’s Dictionary, which defines it as the following:

1.    The flag or banner of a military band; a banner of colors; a figured cloth or piece of silk, attached to a staff, and usually with figures, colors or arms thereon, borne by an officer at the head of a company, troop, or other band.

2.    Any signal to assemble or to give notice.

3.    A badge; a mark of distinction, rank or office.

4.    The officer who carries the flag or colors, being the lowest commissioned officer in a company of infantry.

When I read this definition, something in my heart stirred.  It explains so much.  What could we possibly learn about God being our banner, our flag, our “ensign,” you wonder?  Let’s begin with the definition of “ensign” and go from there. 

1.     Our God challenges us to find a common identity in Christ.  Think about it.  Flags depict a common identity – a common nationality or home place and allegiance.  They symbolize to the world where we’ve come from, what we stand for, and what ideals we hold to be common.  They set us apart.  Someone wearing a lapel pin with their nation’s flag on it while travelling abroad is showcasing that they are not a citizen.  They do not belong.  They visit.  Likewise, our God sets us apart.  He showcases to the watching world where we’ve come from, that we once were sinners, but now have been made new in Christ Jesus.  He showcases that we are aliens on the face of this planet, not citizens (Hebrews 11:13).  We are here visiting the earth, gathering souvenirs of experiences, learning to be grateful for all we have at Home in Christ, before returning there once more.  He showcases what we believe in – God’s plan of redemption through Jesus Christ His Son.  The word, “nissi,” translated as flag in Exodus 17, is also used in Psalm 60:45, which in the Living Bible states, “But you have given us a banner to rally to; all who love truth will rally to it …”  As Christians, we rally to God our flag, to be reminded of who we are, where we come from, and that this is not our home. 

2.    Our God challenges us to assemble.  When we see God, our Father, we should be drawn to assemble together, as soldiers seeing a flag flock to it, rally to it, united in purpose and passion.  Our goal is to reach the lost with the saving message of hope and love through Christ Jesus.  It’s a desperate, urgent, vitally important task.  And in order to do it well, we must be meeting together to encourage each other in the faith, to stir each other up, to train each other and share wisdom from the battlefield of life.  Hebrews 10:25 tells us, in the CEV, that “Some people have gotten out of the habit of meeting for worship, but we must not do that.  We should keep on encouraging each other, especially since you know that the day of the Lord’s coming is getting closer.”  That second definition of an “ensign,” as “any signal to assemble or to give notice,” is a powerful testament to God’s plan for us as Christians.  He never meant for us to be lone rangers with our flag pinned to our lapels, battling solo through life.  He never meant for us to be seeking the lost and up to our elbows in life-saving work by ourselves.  He meant for us to work together, to assemble, to trust that the body of Christ functions best when it is interconnected and thriving – not when amputated parts are trying to work on their own.  In the story of Exodus 17, Moses had been holding the rod of God in the air to allow the Israelites to have victory over their enemies.  But he couldn’t do it for long.  He got tired, as we all do on our own.  So others came alongside him (see verse 15) to prop his arms up, to keep the blessing of the Lord flowing to the people.  Even Moses needed people to assemble with Him to walk out God’s plan for His life.  And so do we. 

3.    Our God challenges us to humility.  Did you see that last definition of “ensign?”  It defined the word as meaning, “The officer who carries the flag or colors, being the lowest commissioned officer in a company of infantry.”  If we think that we are going to showcase God to the lost and wounded around us, but are arrogant and stuffy and prideful of our own abilities – we deceive ourselves.  Our God is our flag, and therefore will only be carried into this world by people of humility who are willing to be the lowest commissioned officer in His army, His band of believers.  The Bible is very clear on this.  Jesus did, after all, challenge His disciples to wash each other’s feet, to serve each other in love and humility, none thinking they are greater than anyone else, and that if they served this way, others would see the light in them.  And in Acts, great men of faith were instructed to wait tables for the widows before they ever went on to teach and preach and serve God in more vocal ways. Furthermore, giving admonition to stay humble, Proverbs 16:5, in the BBE, says that “Everyone who has pride in his heart is disgusting to the Lord …” and 1 Peter 5:5 states in the Darby that, “God sets himself against the proud, but to the humble gives grace.”  We must be humble to carry God’s light into the world. 

And those are just nuggets of truth from the definition of one word!  If we continue to meditate on what it means to see God as our flag, we will see that:

-          Flags stir morale and encourage people to continue fighting on even when the battle is exhausting and the outcome looks bleak – like our God, who invigorates us and stirs up our courage when we feel weak.  Just look at Joshua 1:9, which in the CEV, says, “I’ve commanded you to be strong and brave.  Don’t ever be afraid or discouraged!  I am the Lord your God, and I will be there to help you wherever you go.”  Or look to Hebrews 12:2-3, in the Message, which says, “Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in.  Study how he did it.  Because he never lost sight of where he was headed – that exhilarating finish in and with God – he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever.  And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.  When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through.  That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!”  That is God being our flag, overshadowing us with a message of hope that, if we will turn our eyes to it, will shoot adrenaline into our souls and give us the courage to continue to live as Christians in a hard world. 

-          Flags signify surrender or conquer.  White flags mean you’ve surrendered, given up, quit fighting, compromised with the enemy’s evil plans for your nation.  Once a nation or a territory has been invaded, all the national flags (signifying a common, distinct identity) are stripped and replaced with the invaders’ flag – they’ve won.  They’ve overtaken.  They’ve invaded and taken everything as theirs.  Let me simply tell you, our God is not a God of weakness, of meekness, of surrendering to bullies.  He is not a White Flag.  He is a Flag of Justice who will see His will accomplished.  He will not tolerate invasion, compromise with the enemy, or any such thing. And neither should we. 

-          Flags claim territory.  Think of it – all the explorers, all the invading armies, the people on the moon – all of them have carried flags with them to claim their new territory, to stake it out, and put their mark there.  Likewise, we as Christians are to ask God to expand our territories (1 Chronicles 4:10), to go to the people of all nations (Matt. 28:19), and to make a difference for the Kingdom of God – not by violent overthrow and disregard of culture, but with the astonishing love of Jesus Christ for lost and broken people. 

So, my friends, as you ponder this with me, as you seek to know God better as the Flag of your life, as the Banner and Ensign, I pray that you will let Him reign over your life, fly high in the face of the enemy, and set you apart for His purposes.  God bless.