Altars and Moses

We continue on our journey of altars. Today we are talking about Moses. Our text comes from Exodus
17:15 Moses built an altar and named it The LORD is My Banner;
Moses named the altar Jehovah Nissi.
I quote Darby here.
I dare say many of us have thought, when we have seen the necessity of dependence on the Lord, that one good battle with Satan, and all will be over; but no such thing, we have security and the certainty of victory, but no promise of cessation from conflict whilst in the wilderness. God has promised that He "will bruise Satan under our feet shortly"; as He said to Israel that He would "utterly put out the name of Amalek from under heaven"; but still "Jehovah will have war with Amalek from generation to generation." Till Christ comes, and Satan will be bound, and we shall have the full result of victory, we must reckon on conflict (not on slavery to Pharaoh, but on war with Amalek), but with the comfort of knowing that it is Jehovah who makes war, though it is through Israel, and Israel therefore has to fight. It is the Lord's battle against Satan - there is our comfort. but still a battle which we have to carry on; hence we are kept in an unceasing state of dependence. The moment it was not so, Israel were put to the worse.
And yet the value of the Lord being our banner is huge. If we bow at the altar of the Lord and reminded that He goes before us, it inspires confidence and faith as we remember He goes before us.

We must always remember that we, too, have an “altar” which is the center for all God's people, namely the Person of Christ;

24:4 Moses wrote down all the words of the LORD. Then he arose early in the morning, and built an altar at the foot of the mountain with twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel.

An altar is a representative of ALL MEN. We pray and seek the Lord on behalf of all men. Less talk (With men)and more prayer. Can we believe that nation would change? That community would change? That the prodigal would return? I met with a prodigal yesterday. 2 months ago shooting coke with another believer. Man's life is changed by prayer.

Our family altars remind us of those that have gone before us and those that are about us.

Why a family altar?

To pray over family problems and needs, burdens the children may have, and that they may have confidence in the God that answers prayer in the everyday things of life. All the members of the family have personal needs. It would be good if they could learn to share them openly and take them before the Lord together. There are school needs, boy and girl friend problems, problems with play mates, character problems such as timidity and fears of all kinds, questions about amusements, finances. Teenagers have deep needs and hate to express them for fear of being misunderstood or embarrassed. Their problems are big problems to them and must be considered. Mom and Dad have needs of all kinds. Financial needs, Dad's work needs, the car, moving, and all kinds of things can be prayed through with God. All the family needs to know they can have confidence in Him and that He will hear and answer prayer.