September 11, 2019

365 Days of the Great Names of God, Day 285: Lord of Hosts


Lord of Hosts

"For thus says the LORD of hosts, 'Once more in a little while, I am going to shake the heavens and the earth, the sea also and the dry land. I will shake all the nations; and they will come with the wealth of all nations, and I will fill this house with glory,' says the LORD of hosts. 'The silver is Mine and the gold is Mine,' declares the LORD of hosts. 'The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former,' says the LORD of hosts, 'and in this place I will give peace,' declares the LORD of hosts." (Haggai 2:6-9 NASB)

"Lord of hosts" is not referring to God as the world's best party planner...although Scripture does seem to indicate He's got a pretty spectacular wedding banquet in the works.

"Lord of hosts"—the English translation of the Hebrew "Yahweh Sabaoth"—names God in His role as Commander of all the angelic forces.

The Hebrew root for Sabaoth, "tsaba," refers to people gathering together. Set into a divine context, a gathering—a "company"—of these hosts led some shepherds in song one night: "Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests' " (Luke 2:14).

Often, "tsaba" specifically references people gathering for war, and the Lord of hosts' armies do gather for war at His command and on our behalf. It's just that we have a hard time seeing them with earthly eyes. We are in good fellowship here, though, because one of the most fascinating stories from the Bible recounts a time when the servant of one of God's own prophets needed a little supernatural eye-opening.

"When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. 'Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?' the servant asked. 'Don’t be afraid,' the prophet answered. 'Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.' 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" (2 Kings 6:15-17).

With earthly eyes, the prophet Elisha's servant saw human forces surrounding the city. But when God cleared his vision, he saw other forces. Angelic forces. The hosts of heaven, led by their Leader and Lord. And the servant knew the truth of Elisha's confident declaration: “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them" (2 Kings 6:16).

Let's ask God to open our eyes. Let's see the hills around us full of warriors under the command of the Lord of hosts, all fighting for us, His beloved. And then let's take a jab at the enemy with our sword of the Spirit: "Those who are with us are more than those who are with you!" 

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