by Elder T. Mordecai HaLevi Mitchell
And Mosheh built an altar and called its name Yahweh Nissi. Shemoth (Exodus) 17:15.
Have you ever wondered about the meaning of this somewhat obscure verse? Why would Mosheh build an altar and name it with the name of our Heavenly Father and add the attribute "nissi?"
The word "nissi" is number 3071 in Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible. It is a Hebrew word that means "banner" or "flag." Is Yahweh's Name a banner and why is this significant to us today?
The truth of the matter is that most people involved in modern-day "religion" do not know the correct Name of our Heavenly Father. If they do, they refuse to use it or relegate it to a second class status at best. However, a simple fact remains, YAHWEH is the name by which our Heavenly Father wants His people to remember Him by, and no other name. We make that statement based on Shemoth (Exodus) 3:15 And Elohim said further to Mosheh, "Thus you are to say to the children of Yisra'el, 'Yahweh Elohim of your fathers, the Elohim of Abraham, the Elohim of Yitshaq, and the Elohim of Ya'aqob, has sent me to you. THIS IS MY NAME FOREVER, AND THIS IS MY REMEMBRANCE TO ALL GENERATIONS.'"
Do we realize what we have read here? In verse 13, Mosheh realizes that he will be questioned by his people as to whether or not he is a true prophet of Yahweh. One test the people might give him would be to ask if he speaks in the Name of Yahweh. If he does, he should certainly know that Name.
In verse 15, Yahweh gives Mosheh the exact words he is to speak in reply to that question. He further states that "Yahweh" is the Name He wants His people to remember Him by FOR ALL GENERATIONS!
However, despite the great miracles performed on behalf of Israel, His people did not remember His Name. The prophet YirmeYahu (Jeremiah) cried out a warning against this very thing:
YirmeYahu (Jeremiah) 23:27 ...who try to make My people forget My Name by their dreams which every one relates to his neighbor, as their fathers forgot My Name for ba'al (the lord).
Today, the people of the world are continuing to forget their Heavenly Father's one true Name. He is called by such titles as "God," (A corrupt translation of the Hebrew word Elohim), "Lord" (a translation of the word 'ba'al'). And certainly, the word "Jehovah," is a totally artificial word coined by a Catholic priest and used today (despite its erroneous nature) by a large religious denomination calling themselves after that name.
It should be evident from watching current news events unfold before our eyes, that the world today is under a curse. Trouble after trouble comes upon mankind in virtually every part of the globe. It should also be evident that the so-called "religious" community is also under a curse. Why else are there (approximately) 850 different "Christian" denominations? Does this fact alone not tell us that "Christendom" is in confusion? Why have these curses come upon mankind, and why will they continue to come?
The answer, in part, is in two verses: Yehezqel (Ezekiel) 36:20 and Mal'aki 2:2. Yehezqel 36:20 "And when they (dispersed Israel) came to the gentiles, wherever they went, they profaned My Set-Apart Name..." and in Mal'aki 2:2 "If you do not hear, and if you do not take it to heart, to give esteem to My Name," said Yahweh of Hosts, "I shall send a curse upon you, and I shall curse your blessings. And indeed, I have cursed them, because you do not take it to heart."
Prior to this dire pronouncement, Almighty Yahweh said that His Name would be "great," even among the gentiles.
Mal'aki 1:11 "For from the rising of the sun., even to its going down, My Name is great among the nations (Gentiles — Hebrew 'goiim'). And in every place incense is presented to My Name, and a clean offering. For My Name is great among the nations (Gentiles)" said Yahweh of Hosts.
We must remember that Mal'aki is a prophetic book, written to those living in or near the end times. With that thought in mind, Yahweh declared though the mouth of His prophet, that there would be a people, living in the last days, who would remember and revere His Name.
Mal'aki 3:16 Then shall those who fear Yahweh speak to one another, and Yahweh (shall) listen and hear, and a book of remembrance be written before Him, of those who fear Yahweh, and those who think upon His Name.
And in 4:2, the prophet writes: "But to you who fear My Name the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings, and you shall go out and leap for joy like calves from the stall."
In addition to raising up a people who would remember and sanctify His Name, Yahweh said that he would also remove (cause the people to forget) the names of other mighty ones (idols) and pagan names.
Hoshea 2:17 "And I shall remove the names of the Ba'als (lords) from her mouth, and they shall no more be remembered by their name."
The prohibition against using or substituting other names for Yahweh's set-apart Name is stated clearly in Shemoth (Exodus) 23:13 "And in all that I have said to you take heed. And make no mention of the name of other mighty ones, let it not be heard out of your mouth."
As Almighty Yahweh sets about to remove the names of ba'al (lord) from the hearts and minds of those who respond to His call, He is preparing to regather His people Israel (Yehezqel [Ezekiel] 37:19-28, the Two House regathering) — those who were sifted among the nations (Hoshea 7:8). A prophetic promise is that His people will be regathered under the banner, or ensign, of Yahweh Nissi — Yahweh is our Banner.
YeshaYahu (Isaiah) 5:26 And He shall lift up a banner to the nations from afar, and shall whistle to them from the end of the earth. And see, they come with speed, swiftly.
YirmeYahu (Jeremiah) 4:6 "Lift up the banner toward Zion. Be strong and do not stand still..."
Yahweh promises in YeshaYahu (Isaiah) 43:6 that He will regather His people "...from afar...from the ends of the earth." And in verse 7 he specifies that those who will be called are those who are: "all those who are called by My Name."
In understanding the Name of our heavenly Father, it is important to also understand the true Hebrew name of our Messiah and Redeemer, Yahshua. As Mosheh went to his people in the Name of Yahweh (as do all prophets of Yahweh), Yahshua Messiah came not only in the Name of Yahweh, Yohanan (John) 12:13, but also bearing the Name of Yahweh, Yohanan (John) 12:28. Yahshua (not j-e-s-u-s) is a compound Hebrew word — YAH-Shua — which means: Yah(weh) (is) Salvation.
It is equally important to understand that, in part, the mission of Yahshua was to fulfill prophecy by revealing the Name of the Father to His talmudim (disciples). Yahshua would be the first to raise the banner that would rally the people of Yahweh. His mission was foretold in Tehillim (Psalms) 22:22 and 45:17, and fulfilled in Yohanan (John) 17:6, 11, 26 and Ibrim (Hebrews) 2:12.
Tehillim 22:22 "I make known Your Name to my brothers; In the midst of the assembly I praise You."
Tehillim 45:17 "I cause Your Name to be remembered in all generations; Therefore the people praise you forever and forever." (Let us recall the phrase 'all generations' from Shemoth 3:15).
Yahshua fulfilled this prophecy in Yohanan 17:6 "I have revealed Your Name to the men whom You gave Me out of the world..." 11 "...Set-apart Father, guard them in Your Name which you have given Me, so that they might be one as We are. 26 And I have made your Name known to them, and shall Make it known."
Ibrim (Hebrews) 2:12 ..."I shall announce Your Name to My brothers, in the midst of the congregation I shall sing praise to You."
Above, in Yohanan 17:11 Yahshua states one purpose of revealing Yahweh's Name — Unity. Although the "Name" can be a divisive issue, this is so only because men continue to fight against its sanctioned and appointed use. Using Yahweh's Name brings unity among His people. The Name of Yahweh will bring total unity to all the earth: ZekarYah 14:9 And Yahweh shall be sovereign over all the earth. In that day there shall be one Yahweh, and His Name one.
At Yahshua Ohr HaOlam we desire to reap all the blessings Almighty Yahweh has in store for His people. Therefore, out of love and respect for our Heavenly Father, and in submissive obedience to His Commands, we call upon His Name exclusively. We shun the use of such pagan titles as "god," or "lord," and do not substitute such titles as "adonai" for His Majestic, Glorious and Saving Name — Yahweh.
While this study is by no means exhaustive, we pray that it will serve as pure light (Psalm 119:105) to those to whom this subject may be new, and that the light may dispel the darkness of untruth from their hearts and minds. Watch for additional studies on Yahweh's Name on this site. Send for a copy of "Do We Honor Yahweh by Calling Him God?" This important study will be sent free and postpaid to all who request it, however, a small offering would be appreciated to offset copying and postage costs.
Write: Yahshua Ohr
HaOlam, RD6