Israel was in the land, she had been there for some time, but things weren’t as great as expected. This was to be a place of blessing and peace, but Israel had known years and years of famine and oppression. They had sinned against God over and over again, but then God would raise up judges who usually with the backing of one or two tribes would deliver them and lead them in the way of the LORD for a time, but after the death of the judge they would fall back into their sinful ways.
What if they had a leader who would command their armies, who’s house would lead Israel even after the king’s death? What if they could look to this leader for the military prominence needed to keep them out of trouble.
It’s at this time in Israel’s history when we see a name of God come to the foreground: “The LORD of Hosts.”
The Name
“The LORD of Hosts” is made up of two Hebrew words Jehovah – “self-Existent or Eternal” and “Sabaoth” meaning “vast amount, usually alluding an army or military force.” When this name of God is used it should bring to mind the innumerable multitude of God’s servants both angelic and human.
“Lord of Host” is used in scripture 259 times in the Old Testament. Beginning in 1 Samuel, seeing especially heavy use in the Samuels, Kings, Isaiah, Jeremiah and some of the other prophets. We are familiar with a few of these usages including some in the Psalms, Psalm 46:7 and 11 are well known for saying:
“The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.”
For our study we’ll focus on the first usage of this name of God in the Bible. The first two times this expression is used are in 1 Samuel 1, 1 Samuel 1:3 and 1 Samuel 1:11.
The Story
1 Samuel 1 gives the story leading up to Samuels birth. His father (Elkanah) and mother (Hannah) and his fathers other wife went to Shiloh as they did every year.
“And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the Lord of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the Lord, were there.” 1 Samuel 1:3
This visit however Hannah was particularly upset by the fact that she had no children. Peninnah, the other wife, provoked her about not being able to have children to the point that Hannah couldn’t eat. She went to the tabernacle to pray…
“And she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life, and there shall no rasor come upon his head.” 1 Samuel 1:11
Eli the priest saw her praying quietly and tried to chase her away thinking she was drunk, but when she told him about her request he said that God would grant it.
Her prayer was answered and she fulfilled her vow, giving Samuel to be a servant in the Temple. Samuel grew up to be a prophet, judge and priest in Israel.
Samuel would go on to crown Israel’s first two kings, Saul and David. He would see the nation go through military victories and defeats.
Application
While all of the names of God point to His ultimate authority, the contexts of this name seem to be where people are aware of the authority that God holds because of all that He commands.
This name of God is used beginning in the times of the kings. One of the key roles of kings is to be the ultimate commander of the army. God is the Ultimate Commander of the Ultimate Army.
Angels
The number of the angels loyal to God are impossible to comprehend.
“But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,” Hebrews 12:22
Jesus said in Matthew 26:53:
“Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?”
Jesus could have an army of angels with a prayer. This army wasn’t just a figure of speech either it had fought battles before. (See 2 Kings 6:17)
His servants
Once in a while, we can get tunnel vision and only see the relatively few believers that we have the privilege of meeting with in our local church. But remember, zoom out, God commands the actions of every believer in all places of this world and has for all of time. This is a vast army of volunteers who exercise themselves with faith and courage daily for the cause of their beloved king.
We fit into the larger plan of our Great Omniscient Commander in Chief. The armies of heaven and earth are at His beck and call.
As we pray we can appeal to God with the knowledge that His authority is infinite. We are checking in with the Commander in Chief of all the universe.
Studying and Application:
- Pray for missionaries and churches you know overseas. They need prayer and praying for them will help you maintain a focus of God’s wide influence and broad-reaching plan.
- Does being part of the “host” God commands change how you ought to pray? Read Ephesians 6:10-20 and look for instruction in your prayer plan.
- Review your prayer list. Take a minute to add any new requests now.
