Genesis 22:1 - 14
Jehovah - Jireh "The LORD will Provide" Gen. 22 v1-14.esp. V14

In this story we see Abraham's faith developing by means of a great test. The intervention of God in the provision of a ram for the offering is a foreshadowing of the sacrifice of Jesus. Where Abraham's son was spared, God's son was not. At the cross God has seen to our greatest need and will therefore also see to our lesser needs. Rom. 8v32 "He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all-how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?"

The ram's horns on the banner are a reminder of the gracious provision of God to Abraham in Gen. 22:13 when he came to sacrifice Isaac.



Jehovah -Rapha "The LORD Heals" Ex. 15 v22-27

The Lord makes bitter water sweet and announces that He intends to be the health and wholeness of Israel's life upon certain conditions. God heals the wounds of discouragement in our lives and reaches out to us in the physical and spiritual healing of nations and individuals.

The banner reflects the story of Exodus15:25 where Moses threw a stick into the bitter waters of Marah and they became sweet. There is a hint of a tree behind the stick which links to Rev 22:2 where the leaves of the tree of life are for the healing of the nations. This is also taken up in the leaves lying beside the pool.



Jehovah - Nissi "The LORD our Banner." Ex. 17 v8-16 esp. v15

There is always conflict/warfare in the life of believers and dependence upon God is the way to victory. A nissi was apparently an ensign carried into battle, hence a banner/rallying point. The rod/staff of Moses was indeed a rallying point and can perhaps be linked with the prophesies of Isa. 11, which find their ultimate fulfilment in Jesus. Isa. 11v1 "A shoot [rod AV] will come up from the stump of Jesse; from His roots a Branch will bear fruit. Isa. 11v10 "In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to Him, and His place of rest will be glorious."

The banner portrays the altar Moses built after the defeat of the Amalekites (Exodus 17:15) and the idea of a banner as a battle standard.



Jehovah - Shammah "The LORD is Present" Eze. 48:35.

Ezekiel who prophesied the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple now prophesies restoration. The Lord's glory would fill anew a glorious city and temple. The pledge is the name Jehovah Shammah. This is a reminder to us of the reality of God's presence with his people past and present. And of course the ultimate fulfilment is in Jesus [Immanuel-God with us] and in His church [a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit.] Mat. 1v23 "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son,and they will call him Immanuel"---Which means, "God with us." Eph. 2v22."And in Him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit."

The banner interprets Ezekiel's vision of the new city and the temple given in Ezekiel 40 - 43, with the glory of the Lord at its centre (43:4-5). At the bottom is the water flowing from the threshold of the temple (47:1), which becomes the great river symbolised by the fish (9-10). The leaf represents the fruit trees along its banks for healing (v12).



Jehovah Shalom "The LORD is Peace" Judges 6:24

In a time of apostasy Gideon was visited by the Angel of the Lord who brought a promise of deliverance from Midian. Gideon's response was to build an altar, which in faith he called " Jehovah Shalom". This was a confident anticipation of the victory that would lead to peace. The peace of God ministers to us today in times of instability and restlessness. The original context of Gideon's offering reminds us of the peace spoken of in the NT which comes through faith in Jesus and His offering of Himself on the cross for our sins.

The banner portrays Gideon' sacrifice on the rock which the angel of the Lord set on fire (Judges 6:24), with the thought of peace being offered on the basis of sacrifice.



Jehovah - Tsidkenu "The LORD our Righteousness" Jer. 23 v5-6

In spite of the captivity which had resulted in part from a failure in kingship, Jeremiah recognised that God's promise of an everlasting throne still had validity. He predicted a remnant would return. Jer 23v3 "I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number."

There would be the raising up of a righteous Branch, and a king to do what is just and right [23v5]. His name would be Jehovah Tsidkenu. All that Judah's kings should have been as representatives of Jehovah this king would be. In a society that has lost it's way we need to hold high the Lord's standard of righteousness and also speak of the wonderful provision of personal righteousness in the Lord Jesus.

The banner portrays a tree stump with a new branch sprouting from it (Jeremiah 23:5). The top of the branch becomes a crown for the King of Righteousness, but it is a crown of thorns. The other smaller shoots from the trunk hint at the restoration of Judah and Israel (v6).



Jehovah - Saboaoth "The LORD of Hosts" 1 Sam. 1:3

The lettering of this banner attempts to communicate power and threat in terms of demonic struggle. Some of the letters are made of Roman nails to reflect Jesus struggle and victory on the cross. The colour is purple to represent kingship and victory.

As the Lord of Hosts, God is able to bring together all of the powers of heaven and earth to fulfil His purposes. The Lord of hosts is the lord in manifestation of power thus NIV translates " Lord Almighty."[Isa. 14v24-27, 1 kings 19v14 etc.] God has mighty forces at His command. The name inspires a new confidence in Him. [Josh. 5v13-15 and 2 kings 6v13-17 are helpful. -cf. NT refs Rom. 9v29, James 5v4.] All that Jehovah Sabaoth was in the OT Jesus is in the NT. He is the lord of powers, victorious over Satan, demons and death.

The banner tries to communicate power and demonic struggle. Some of the letters are formed from Roman nails to reflect Jesus struggle and victory on the cross. 'Sabaoth' is in purple to represent kingship and victory.



Jehovah - M'Keddesh "The LORD your Sanctifier" Ex. 31 v13

In the banner for this Name colour is all-important. The black representing sin is torn away to reveal the white representing holiness and purity. The centre is 'holy, holy, holy' representing the holy of holies and the red speaks to us of sacrifice.

In Exodus and Leviticus we are presented with the demands of a holy God.The term sanctify means to set apart, to separate. Jehovah M'Kaddesh expresses the Character of Jehovah and His requirements for his people. Awareness of His holiness authenticates and enriches every aspect of our Christian experience. Purity leads to power. What Jehovah was in the OT Jesus is in NT. [Without sin etc.] What Israel was to be nationally we are to be as a church. We are to be set apart, holy in our position and in our practice.

In the banner the blackness of sin is torn away to reveal holiness and purity within. At the centre is the red of sacrifice and a reminder of the holiness of God.



Jehovah - Ro'eh "The LORD my Shepherd" Psa. 23:1.

The banner for Jehovah Ro'eh is a very literal interpretation of Ps. 23, which picks up through its images the shepherd's care in terms of feeding/ tending/ caring. On a green background of pasture, the valley of the shadow of death intrudes, but it is guarded by the rod and staff portrayed in the form of the cross. At the bottom is the still water and in between the full cup, the table and the anointing of oil.