What is a host?
A host is an old term that was used to describe an army. Here is how the Oxford Reference defines host: “Derived from the Latin hostis, the term “host” evolved, designating originally an armed expedition against an enemy, then the army itself, and finally, by extension, the obligation to serve in arms.”
The first designation of this word leaps off the page to me because it is an armed expedition against an enemy. Again, we don’t often think of God in the sense of a general leading an armed brigade, but that is one aspect of who God is. He is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies or the Lord of Hosts. Let’s carry it to another logical but greater conclusion. One of the definitions of Lord of Hosts used in some translations is Lord Almighty. By this, you could even say he is Lord of All.
This means if you aligned all the powers of the earth, and add in all of Satan’s power, they are still no match for the Lord of All, the one who is Lord Almighty or Lord of Hosts.
What does the Lord of Hosts do?
When you use this term, we think of a God who fights on behalf of those who are his own. Remember he is leading an armed expedition against an enemy. In an Old Testament context, we see God in this position as Lord of Hosts every time he fights for Israel. When God was on their side, they were invincible. When God lifted his hand of support, they were totally vulnerable.
When the Israelites were leaving Egypt, the Egyptian army pursued them, and the Israelites were fearful they would overtake them. That is, until the Lord of Hosts stepped in telling the Israelites he would fight for them: Moses answered the people,
“Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” - Exodus 14:13-14
Israel was in a difficult place, but they had the Lord of Hosts on their side. They had comfort in knowing that regardless of who the enemy was or the situation they faced, God was fighting for them. Not only was this important as they were leaving Egypt, but this was equally important as they entered the promised land because they would have to fight enemies there. Israel had an assurance of knowing that the Lord of Hosts, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the Lord Almighty, was on their side and no enemy would be too great for them to overcome.
What does it mean for us?
As you step into the New Testament, God is still the Lord of Hosts because God never changes. The good news is that God still fights for you. Consider this verse in Romans:
"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" - Romans 8:31
Keep Your Love on Friends!
Love Always, Lindsay Rose 🌹
Day 17: The Lord of Hosts