Scripture to Read: Exodus 17:8–14
It’s interesting, as we study Exodus 17:8–14, that Amalek came against Israel. Remember the praise song of the Israelites in Exodus 15, how the Israelites sang about the surrounding nations in Exodus 15:13–16, “The peoples have heard, they tremble; Anguish has gripped the inhabitants of Philistia. 15 “Then the chiefs of Edom were dismayed; The leaders of Moab, trembling grips them; All the inhabitants of Canaan have melted away. 16 “Terror and dread fall upon them; By the greatness of Your arm they are motionless as stone.” The nations had been gripped with terror due to all our Lord had done to the Egyptians. Nonetheless, Amalek came to battle against the Israelites. In Exodus 17:9, we find Moses speaking to Joshua to assemble a mighty army. This is the first time Joshua is mentioned in God’s Word, but we’ll see how God uses Joshua much more as we study His Word. As we continue in Exodus 17, we read how Aaron and Hur went with Moses to the top of a hill to keep watch on the battlefield. God tells us in Exodus 17:11, “…when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed.” God used Moses in a mighty way, but we see that Moses could not keep his hands up on his own. Moses needed help, so “Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other.” What a great reminder of how much we, as Christians, need each other for the battles we face each day.
Challenge & Application
· Amalek waged war against Israel and, as Christians, we face warfare each day, too; so, whom do you have to support you?
· How is God using you to support your Christian friends in the battles they face?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!