Exodus 17:8-16

Amalek Attacks Israel and Is Defeated
 

8 Then Amalek came and fought with Israel at Rephidim. 9 Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some men for us and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” 10 So Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought with Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11 Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed; and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. 12 But Moses’ hands grew weary; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; so his hands were steady until the sun set. 13 And Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the sword. 14 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this as a reminder in a book and recite it in the hearing of Joshua: I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.” 15 And Moses built an altar and called it, The Lord is my banner. 16 He said, “A hand upon the banner of the Lord! The Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.” (Ex. 17:8-16)

  What would a contempary aspect to this story? I think the song covers it: being very worn. In serious need of His deliverance! His strength!

Some things from the passage of Scripture that stick out:

1. The Amalekites came and fought with Israel. It wasn't Israel initiating. It was the Amalekites. Often times, we don't need to go far to find an attack upon us. We are constantly attacked physically and spiritually often. No one is exempt from the spiritual attacks. (See Eph. 6)

2. Moses had a plan: some men would fight in the war directly, but Moses would "stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in [his] hand". We need a battle plan of our own. We have a spiritual war that is on-going. Who do we turn to for support? Who do we confide in, to keep going and actively fighting? Who is helping us seeking Him? Who is helping us not give up?

Pulpit Commentary includes these words about verse 9: " I will stand on the top of the hill. It is implied that there was a conspicuous hill (gibeah), not a rock (tsur) in the near vicinity of Rephidim, whence Moses could see the fight, and be seen by those engaged in it...With the rod of God in my hand. Moses meant to indicate by this, that he looked for victory to God alone, and did not trust in an "arm of flesh," while, nevertheless, he sent his soldiers to the combat."

3. Moses took two men with him to the hill. Victory was found only in praising and seeking God!

4. The thing about being human is we get tired. Moses got tired. He began to get discouraged. When his eyes were not focused on God and the victory God gives, the battle got worse. These men with Moses, they had plans to help Moses and the rest of the Israelites. They used a stone. They helped Moses to sit down. They held up Moses' arms. As a result of Moses' seeking God and others helping Moses seek God, the Israelites won the victory. This is what we need to be about as the Church: seeking to GOD together, seeking to help each other, be there for each other, help each other win the battle in our own lives, be the support we each need, going to extreme lengths to help one another...

5. Seeking God and having accountability is how the battle was won for Moses and the Israelites. They each had a part to play. Some were on the front lines, some were praying, others were serious encouragers and served however they could...but each played a very important part...This is how it is to be in the Church. We may be different, but God has given us each a big part to play. IE) some are better at hugging and reaching out to strangers, others are more comfortable praying for others, some are better at giving their all and serving...but each have a role God wants us to use to glorify Him!

6. Winning this victory was worth writing down! The Israelites won the battle against Amalek and it was worth sharing with the Israelite generations.

7. After the victory, Moses built an altar and praised God. He called it "the Lord is my banner!" Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible adds this to the reason for this name: "he called the name of it Jehovahnissi; which signifies either "the Lord is my miracle" who wrought a miracle for them in giving them the victory over Amalek"... God had provided for the Israelites. Not only once or twice, but God continued to provide for the Israelites. Providing water from a rock. Providing victory in a war. God provided. Moses' trust in God and knowing God would bring the victory was essential!