THE LORD OF HOSTS

Psalm 46:1-2 (ESV)

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,

Psalm 46:3-4

Though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.

Psalm 46:5-6

God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; He utters His voice, the earth melts.

Psalm 46:7-8

The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah. Come, behold the works of the Lord, how He has brought desolations on the earth.

Psalm 46:9-10

He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; He burns the chariots with fire. “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

Psalm 46:11

The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

1. Who is the Lord of Hosts?

It means the Lord of Armies in Hebrew.

One of the Names of God, used 235 times in the Bible. Some scholars say that it is even mentioned 284 times as some kind of variant of the word.

Hannah is the first person to mention the Name, “Lord of Hosts”.

1 Samuel 1:11

And she vowed a vow and said, “O LORD of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.”

The Seraphim even cry out the Name, Lord of Hosts.

Isaiah 6:3

And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!”

2. The Lord of Hosts in Action

Zechariah 5:4b

I will send it out, declares the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter the house of the thief, and the house of him who swears falsely by My Name. And it shall remain in his house and consume it, both timber and stones.

Zechariah 4:9b

[When receiving the word of the Lord…] Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you.

Jeremiah 19:3

You shall say, “Hear the word of the LORD, O kings of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem. Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I am bringing such disaster upon this place that the ears of everyone who hears of it will tingle.”

3. Partnering with the Lord of Hosts

Joshua 5:13-14 (BSV)

Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in His hand. Joshua approached Him and asked, “Are You for us or for our enemies?” “Neither,” He replied. “I have now come as Commander of the LORD’s army.” Then Joshua fell face down in reverence and asked Him, “What does my Lord have to say to His servant?”

Joshua 5:15

The Commander of the LORD’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.

Malachi 3:1

Behold, I send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts.