So Joshua did as Moses said to him, and fought with Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. Exodus 17:10-12 NKJV
This wasn’t about Moses getting even.
Joshua wasn’t picking this fight.
These were God’s people trying to go where He called them and instead of helping them, Amalek chose this opportunity to attack God’s people while they were on the way.
Already, the people of Israel had complained about no food.
So, God provided Manna.
Then they complained about no water.
So, God provided, from the rock, water.
Now, they are being attacked.
So, God provides an incredible picture of people supporting and encouraging one another through days of great peril.
Moses told Joshua what to do and he didn’t hesitate, but obeyed.
Moses went up on the mountain and stood with his hands raised to God.
(Have you ever tried holding your hands up in the air for a long time? It’s not easy.)
But when Moses’s hands lowered the battle began to go poorly.
Thus, Aaron and Hur got a stone for Moses to sit on…
“And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.”
Wow.
Talk about tangible support.
No easy task, but so needed.
What about Joshua?
He’s the one literally fighting the enemy, whose out to kill and destroy them all.
So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
Exodus 17:13 NKJV
God is the Reason for the victory.
Both then and today.
Then, He gave Joshua and the children of Israel victory over their enemies.
Later, God’s Son came to earth to save all from sin.
(Doesn’t the picture of Moses’s outstretched arms point to Christ and His arms, stretched out on the cross?)
Through His sacrifice, we can have victory in Jesus.
But we still have an enemy, whose out to destroy us in one way or another.
Thus, God gives us the body of Christ.
Not just for our support and encouragement, but also for us to be that support and encouragement of others as well.
This story shows us the beautiful way we as followers of Christ are to lift up one another, especially in prayer.
For the days are full of peril for many throughout our world.
And what a privilege it is to lovingly support others in anyway available.
Romans 12:10 KJV — Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for this beautiful story of Moses, Aaron, Hur, and Joshua. Lord, please help us to see those opportunities to lift up one another. Lord, help us to be diligent to prefer one another in all things, looking to build up those around us. Lord Jesus, we thank You for Your love and faithfulness. You are the reason Joshua was victorious that day and You are still the reason we can be victorious today, not over other people, but over sin. Lord, thank You for Your wonderous works. I love You, Jesus. Amen.
patientlyhopeful 