Good Morning.

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this for a memorial in the book and recount it in the hearing of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.” And Moses built an altar and called its name, The-Lord-Is-My-Banner; for he said, “Because the Lord has sworn: the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.” (Exodus 17:14-16)

The altar mentioned in this verse was built at Horeb, perhaps on the same hill where the Rock of Horeb was located. Interestingly, the altar itself was called Yahweh Nissi, “The LORD is my banner.” Even more interesting is the fact that the Hebrew wording translated as, “Because the LORD has sworn” is literally rendered as “a hand upon the throne of the LORD.” What does that mean? 

Some translators chose to render the Hebrew word kes as “sworn” rather than its literal meaning of “an elevated chair, or throne.” If it is to be understood as “throne” rather than “sworn,” then what is the connection to what happened whereby this altar was dedicated — in other words, the defeat of and declaration of war against Amalek? It is merely poetic language or is something greater being hinted at? 

Consider Moses, God’s emissary, was seated upon a stone seat elevated above the battlefield.  As he sat there, he held in his hand the rod of God – emblematic of supreme authority. Also consider that this battle occurred in close proximity to the Rock of Horeb where God had stood as He prepared to give water to the thirsty people. Let’s put it this way: Amalek chose to attack Israel and disrupt God’s agenda at very place He chose to  meet with His people. 

Here is the point I’m driving at: Messiah is the One who has been given all authority and will, in due time, sit upon the Throne of God ruling the nations in justice and righteousness. Therefore, He is the One who will defeat Amalek and all of the enemies of God at the end of the age! He is the One who will judge the nations that gather against His people and the land of Israel. And He will, once and for all, bring an end to those who harass and threaten His people. As it is written, “You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel” (Psalm 2:9). Even so, come Lord Yeshua!

Blessings and Shalom,  

Bill  

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