TThe LORD is My Banner

“O say does that Star-Spangled banner yet wave.” A popular line from our nation’s national anthem.  But did you know?  The Star-Spangled Banner actually has four stanzas?  Yes, Francis Scott Key penned these four stanzas in the middle of the Battle of Baltimore in September, 1814 during the War of 1812.  As I read through the other verses, these two lines were particularly noteworthy.  First from the second stanza, “Tis the star-spangled banner – O long may it wave.” And then from the final stanza, “And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave.”

Just what is a banner?  And does it differ from a flag?  One dictionary defines it this way: “a piece of cloth attached to a staff used as a standard by a monarch, military commander or knight.” Or, a secondary meaning, “the flag of a nation, state, or army.”  The flag definition is not too dissimilar, in fact, a banner is a synonym for a flag. Thus, they are interchangeable for the most part.

Flags or banners also represent various military units and their divisions.  I am reminded of my multiple trips to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania while on my grandchildren’s grade school trips. As we traversed the various battleground areas, I listened intently as the trained guide explained in detail the bloody battles that claimed 50,000 lives in this short three-day battle in 1863. Battle coordination was difficult at best as you can imagine.  No modern-day electronic communication etc.  Yes, the regimental and other military flags (banners) were key to communication. The unit flags helped the soldiers identify their unit as they were visible during the battle.  These soldiers were trained to “follow the flag.” (thoughtco.com/flag) In fact, in the song, The Battle Cry of Freedom, a line says, “we’ll rally ‘round the flag boys.” These unit flags were carried by the color guard where mortality rate was high as they were unarmed and out front and subject to intense enemy fire.  Historians tells us that loss or capture of the unit flag was a disgrace.

During the Battle of Gettysburg, the 16th Maine Regiment held off an intense attack but were eventually surrounded. They took the flag on their person as they were imprisoned and managed to save portions of the flag – that found their way back to Maine.

Personally, I was in the U. S. Army from 1968-1974. While in basic combat training, I was our unit’s banner bearer in our unit photograph in July 1969 -Company D, 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade, Fort Ord, California.

While this information is very interesting, it cannot hold a candle to the ultimate banner bearer, that is, the LORD himself. As I was following along with a recent Scripture reading from Exodus, I found myself reading ahead and came across the story of Moses and Israelites in their battle with the Amalekites in Rephidim. In their victory, the LORD said to Moses, “write this…I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.” (paraphrased, Exodus 17:14ff, KJV) And Moses built an altar there and called it, “the LORD is my Banner.” God’s presence in this battle is not unlike His ever-presence with His chosen people.  Like the color guard as a banner bearer, our LORD leads us into battle against the evil foes of this world. Just as the Civil War soldiers looked to their unit flag, we too look to our Banner (Hebrew nissi).  YAHWEH NISSI (The Lord is my Banner) is one of the many names of our LORD. (See table below for partial list)

In Song of Solomon, the author states, “He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.” (2:4, KJV). The prophet Isaiah foretold the Messiah (Root of Jesse).  Listen to his words: “In that day, the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him.” (Isaiah 11:10)

What is the lesson for us today?  The Old Testament is rife with examples of how the LORD went ahead of His nation to protect them from their vast enemies – generally much larger and stronger than Israel. Our LORD Jesus Christ is the world’s Banner bearer as He carried our battle on His shoulders enroute to Calvary’s cross. His Banner was victorious as He was raised to victory carrying the Banner to the heavenly realms where we as believers will dwell in eternity. As we continue to walk with Him, let us always remember He is our Banner such that much like the Civil War soldier we must continue to follow the Banner!

Peace

Connected in Him, I stand

GHR

Table from happyhealthyandprosperous.com