“The Lord of Hosts!” It’s a strong name. And it needs to be, coming as it does out of times of tribal conflict, war, atrocities, and even genocide.

The Lord of Hosts is a popular and even dominant name for God throughout the Hebrew Scriptures, appearing a total of 284 times. The word “Hosts” is a military term designating a very large fighting force or army. “Heavenly hosts” then, refers to God’s army of warrior angels.

The Lord of Hosts, which means “Yahweh the Military Commander,” designated Israel’s Divine Warrior, who defended his people. He was the commander of the heavenly army. Furthermore, this commander could be represented as a fierce and formidable Lion.

When Isaiah 31:4 describes how God will purify the Temple, it includes both the name “Lord of Hosts” and the description of Yahweh as a threatening lion.

“The LORD will be like a growling lion, like a young lion growling over its prey.”

Then later in the verse:

“The Lord of Hosts,” or as the NET Bible translates it, “the LORD who commands armies, will descend to do battle on Mount Zion and on its hill.”

The New Testament, however, hardly mentions this name of God, although there are important hints of it. The military significance of the name seems to disappear. Instead, the angel with “the multitude of the heavenly hosts” tells Bethlehem shepherds to “fear not, for there is good news bringing great joy!” Instead of a battle cry from the Lord of Hosts, there is a baby’s cry in a manger. Instead of a holy war, peace is declared on earth.

At the end of the New Testament, John, in Revelation 5, laments that no one is able to open the scroll. So he is told that the Lion of the Tribe of Judah is worthy to open it.

Is John saying that Israel’s divine warrior-king is now back in action? When John sees the scroll actually being opened, however, he sees something else. He does not see the Lord of Hosts or anything resembling a divine warrior. He does not even see the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. Instead, he sees a Lamb looking as if it had been slain. It is the Lamb, not the warrior, who is able to open the scroll and give meaning to human history.

The Lord of Hosts, now the Lion, now the Babe In a Manger, and now the Slain Lamb is our protector, defender and Messiah. He comes to save not to destroy. He has declared peace with Earth and extends good will toward all human beings.