Welcome back! While I appreciated the two weeks off for Easter, I missed this study.
Before we took a break, we were studying Yahweh Shalom. I think that was a perfect name to break on as we, at least personally, entered into an incredibly busy Easter season.
Shalom means peace. But the peace of shalom is not just peace but soundness and completeness. It’s the peace that surpasses all understanding. We have this Shalom because we know El Shaddai, Elohim, El Roi, El Olam, Esh Oklah, Yahweh, Yahweh Yireh, Yahweh Nissi, Adonay, Qedosh Yisrael, El Kanna, and Yahweh Rophepka.
This week we will be studying Yahweh Tsebaoth, the Lord of Hosts. Typically in scripture, “hosts” refers to armies. It can also refer to the sun, moon, and stars; people (both men and women); rivers and mountains; wild and tame animals; nations; powers; and military power. This name signifies God’s organized strength, ordered service, and relentless perseverance. It also emphasizes God’s rule over every power, both material and spiritual.
In Genesis 2:1, in the NKJV, it says, “Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.” Judges 5:20 says, “From the heavens the stars fought; from their courses they fought against Sisera.” So the starry “hosts” obey his command.
Angelic hosts are mentioned in 1 Kings 22:19: “Micaiah continued, “Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne with all the multitudes/hosts of heaven standing around him on his right and on his left.” Again in 2 Kings 6:17, “And Elisha prayed, ‘Open his eyes, LORD, so that he may see.’ Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” And as we spoke about a few weeks ago in Isaiah 6, the seraphim cried out, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty.” The frequent use of “LORD of Hosts” fuses His sovereignty with His covenantal loyalty.
Repentance invites in the protection of Tsebaoth, as seen in Haggai 2:4, “But now, Zerubbabel, be strong,” declares Yahweh. “Cheif Priest Joshua, be strong. Everyone in the land, be strong,” declares Yahweh. “Work, because I am with you, declares Yahweh Tsebaoth.”
Yahweh Tsebaoth ignites hope. Isaiah 13:4, “Listen to the noise on the mountains. It is like the sound of a large army. It is the sound of kingdoms and nations gathering together. Yahweh Tesbaoth is assembling his army for battle.”
The name first appears in 1 Samuel 1:3 when it starts the story of Samuel’s birth. Elkanah and Hannah would go each year to Shiloh and worship Yahweh Tsebaoth, the Lord of angel armies. In verse 11, “She made this vow, ‘Yahweh Tsebaoth, if you will look at my misery, remember me, and give me a boy, then I will give him to you for as long as he lives. A razor will never be used on his head.”
Yahweh Tsabaoth is not just a commander of armies, but he is the leader of all mankind, the instiller of hope, and the covenantal promise.
If we jump forward to 1 Samuel 17, the baby that Hannah had prayed for has been born, raised in the temple, was a judge for the people of Israel, and has appointed a king, Saul, for Israel because of their demands. Saul messed up and turned his back on God, so God took his approval away and gave it to David. Now here we are; David’s brothers are out in the field with the army and trying to fight the Philistines. The Philistines were on one hillside and the Israelites were on the other. There was a ravine between the two.
Goliath, who was ten feet tall, would come out decked out in armor that weighed over 125 lbs and taunt the Israelites. He stood head and shoulders above the Israelites. They were scared of this guy, and I can’t say that I blame them. Goliath was calling on them to send out their best warrior to fight him with the agreement that if they defeated him, then they would become slaves of the Israelites.
David was tending to the sheep while his brothers were off fighting the battle. David would go back and forth from the battle field to report to his dad how they were doing. On this day, Jesse, David’s dad, was sending some food by way of David. He got there as the Isrealites were gearing up to go to the screaming match between them and the Philistines. This had gone on for 40 days.
When Goliath stepped out, the Israelites would run in terror. David, witnessing what was going on, asked, “What will be done for the man who kills the Philistine and gets rid of Israel’s disgrace? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should challenge the army of Elohim Chay?” (Which means Living God.)
David’s oldest brother got upset that he was asking this question. I am sure there’s some sibling rivalry going on. Then David steps up and says, “Don’t worry, I got this.”
So an army full of qualified men won’t go fight this guy, but David comes up and says, “Hang on, let me go take care of this for you.” Saul takes one look and says, “You’re just a boy.”
David, full of confidence, says, “Well, I take care of the bear and the lion when they attack my sheep. I got this!”
At this point, I feel like Saul is exasperated with the situation. He has been taunted and yelled at and watched his men run in fear for 40 days. Up walks this kid who has the confidence of a giant and says, “God and I are about to handle this guy; just watch.” David isn’t just confident in his abilities; he is confident in God’s ability.
David picked up 5 smooth stones, put them in his bag, took out his slingshot, and walked to the battlefield. The outcome was already decided before David ever stepped a foot on the field. Goliath has shieldbearers that walk in front of him. They all get a good look at David and instantly despise him. Goliath hollered, “Who am I that you come to attack me with sticks?”
Then “David told the Philistine, ‘You come to me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Yahweh Tsebaoth, the Elohim of the army of Israel, whom you insulted. Today Yahweh will hand you over to me. I will strike you down and cut off your head. And this day I will give the dead bodies of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals. The whole world will know that Israel has an Elohim.”
Then we know how this story ends. David took out one stone, slung it, and it hit Goliath’s forehead. He fell to the ground. David took Goliath’s sword and cut his head off.
In this passage, the name of Yahweh Tsebaoth is used as a name of power.
Yahweh Tsebaoth reminds us that we do not face anything alone. Whether we are facing a physical battle, mental battle, relational battle, or spiritual battle, we are not alone. The same God that commands the stars, who is surrounded by angel armies, and who delivered David from Goliath, is the same God who goes before us today.
Braxton and I, and several others that have confided in us, have been facing some pretty strong spiritual battles lately. When you pray to Yahweh Tsebaoth, you are calling on the angel armies to surround you, to fight for you, and to strengthen you. Exodus 14:14 is one of my most favorite verses; it says, “The Lord will fight for you if you will just be still.” Being able to be still when you need to fight is knowing that Yahweh Tsebaoth is with you. It’s looking up to the hills and seeing the angel armies surround you when you feel abandoned.
He is our sovereign hope. Psalms 46:7 says, “Yahweh Tsebaoth is with us. The Elohim of Jacob is our stronghold.”
So when the battle feels overwhelming, when fear rises, or when the weight of life feels too heavy, we don’t have to strive in our own strength. We can be still, knowing that the Lord fights for us. We can lift our eyes—not to the size of the opposition, but to the greatness of our God.
This week, let us walk forward with confidence, not because of what we are capable of, but because of who Yahweh Tsebaoth is. He is our defender, our strength, and our hope—and the battle belong
Have a great day with Jesus!
