What does it mean that God is called the LORD of hosts?

This carries the meaning, THE LORD of hosts. It occurs over 300 times in the Old Testament. It is noticeable that it is the one exception, among these different combinations, that finds its place in the New Testament. (See Rom. 9:29; James 5:4). This gives rise to the use of the word, Sabaoth, which is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew, Tsaba (Host). This combination is largely scattered throughout the Old Testament, Isaiah alone having 60 occurrences of this beautiful title. It carries the thought of mighty irresistible power and resource in the hands of the Lord.

And here a new title of God is found, which, in connection with those related and contrasted "kingdoms," which in the Septuagint give such fitting title to the books, claims for the divine not merely supremacy but totality of power. This is "Jehovah of Hosts," or "Jehovah, God of Hosts": where there is no need to speculate whether stars or angels, or even the hosts of Israel, are intended. "The God of Hosts" claims all these for Him. In this title the divine kingdom reveals itself in contrast with all others, which are sustained or confounded as they move in subjection to it or not. Thus the moral of the book is given at the opening of it.

We do not meet with this name until 1 Sam. 1:3. It came in with prophetic testimony, faith laying hold of Jehovah's glory when Israel had corrupted themselves, and were in a weak and low estate. Scripture reveals that there is a mighty heavenly host, and principalities and powers in the unseen world. God is the God of them all, as well as God of all the elements of nature, which have often been used by Him to punish His enemies. "The stars in their courses fought against Sisera." Judges 5:20. We read of 'the God of hosts' only a few times comparatively; it is mostly 'Jehovah of hosts,' and at times 'Jehovah God of hosts,' showing that it is in connection with Israel that God revealed Himself under this name. Jehovah of hosts dwelt between the cherubim. From the beginning of 1 Samuel these titles constantly occur to the end of the O.T. In Ps. 24:10 the Lord Jesus is shown to be "Jehovah of hosts: he is the king of glory:" cf. Eph. 1:20-21; Col. 1:16. The same title occurs in the N.T. as the LORD OF SABAOTH. Rom. 9:29 (in a quotation from Isa. 1:9), and James 5:4.

Finally, Hannah had a spiritual insight beyond that of her peers. She addressed God as the Lord ‘of hosts’ (v. 11) — the first time we read of God being called this name. The Lord Jesus (for He is Jehovah of hosts as Psalm 24:10 makes clear) is the Lord of an unseen army of heavenly beings. This name is not reserved for the Lord Jesus when His people are walking rightly and being faithful to Him (that is, for circumstances when we might have thought He would exercise His might for their deliverance or well-being). In fact, it is generally associated in the Old Testament with times of weakness on the part of His people, in particular spiritual weakness (see e.g. the uses of the name in Haggai). Even if His people are unfaithful, the Lord Jesus remains faithful as He cannot deny Himself (2 Tim. 2:13). There is always a great array of power at the Lord’s disposal. Hannah realised that she could take advantage of it.

For the fourth time in this chapter the words are repeated, “Thus says the Lord of hosts” (v. 7). He is emphasizing the absolute truth of what He says. Though the returned remnant of Israel was very small, God was still “the Lord of hosts,” the Commander of multitudes. Though Israel was scattered far from their land, and are still scattered, He will save them just as simply as He saved the remnant from the captivity of the Medes and Persians. He will bring them back eventually to dwell in the midst of Jerusalem, where He will own them as His own people (v. 8). In Hosea 1:9 God speaks of disowning Israel, calling them “not My people” because of their rebellion against Him. But in the future, they will have pleasure in obeying Him.

Twice in the psalm we read “The Lord of hosts is with us: the God of Jacob is our refuge.” Innumerable hosts of angels own His supremacy and serve His will sustained by His power, yet unspeakable grace! He is also “the God of Jacob.” He bends down to the individual, even to the most wayward and fickle, to the fearful and the needy, to you and me. His strength is against every foe that would hurt His people, His grace is their support in trial and drives away their fears. He has said “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.” He said that to Jacob and the words are quoted and applied to us, so that we may boldly say, “The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what “man shall do unto me” (Heb. 13:5-6). “Be still and know that I am” (Ps. 46:10). “Some trust in chariots and some in horses: but we will remember the Name of the Lord our God” (Ps. 20:7). “Have faith in God” (Mark 11:22).

(V. 7). Fourthly, amidst the deepening shadows of the night, until the dawn of the morning, we can say with the Psalmist, "The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge." The LORD with all power at His disposal, and the God of grace that can take up and bless a poor failing man like Jacob, is with us, and our refuge. When the day dawns we shall be with Christ in the glory of that day; in the meantime He is with us as we pass through the sorrows of the night. He "died for us that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him." Seeing "He has said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee, … we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do to me" (Heb. 13:5-6).

The psalm closes with a repetition of faith's confidence in God. "The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge" (v. 11). The first clause reminds us of Elisha's words to his terror-stricken servant in Dothan, when the Syrians besieged the city in order to take him prisoner: "'Fear not, for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.' And Elisha prayed, and said, 'Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes that he may see.' And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha" (2 Kings 6:16-17). This guardian care of God is as true for us to-day as for the prophet then: He is always with and about His own, that the enemy may do them no harm.

The majesty and supremacy of our God is described in the title, "LORD of Hosts"; let us then be encouraged to trust Him fully both for time and eternity, and be found moving constantly in this present world for His pleasure and glory.

His kingdom displayed as over all calls for the praise of all, both in heaven and earth. Thus all spiritual beings are summoned to bless the Lord. All His “hosts” — every providential force in nature — are called to bless the Lord. All His created works are called to bless the Lord. And let every individual of the redeemed say, “Bless the Lord, O my soul.”