SCRIPTURE: EXODUS 17
BIBLE VERSES:
“But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?” Then Moses cried out to the Lord, “What am I to do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me.” The Lord answered Moses, “Go out in front of the people. Take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink.” So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel.” (Exodus 17:3-6)
“So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.” (Exodus 17:10-13)
“Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner. He said, “Because hands were lifted up against the throne of the Lord, the Lord will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation.” (Exodus 17:15-16)
WATER FROM THE ROCK (vs. 1-7)
The whole Israelite community traveled from place to place and camped at Rephidim. There was no water for them to drink so they quarreled with Moses. Moses cried out to the Lord and god told Moses to take his staff and struck the rock at Horeb. Moses did what the Lord said and water came out of the rock. He called the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled and tested the Lord saying “Is the Lord among us or not?” (v. 7)
THE AMALEKITES DEFEATED (vs. 8-16)
The Amalekites came to attack the Israelites. Moses told Joshua to chose men to fight the Amalekites. While Moses and Aaron stood on the top of the hill, they held up Moses hand. As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses’ hands grew tired, Aaron and Hur held his hands and let Moses sat down at a stone. Moses built an altar called it “The Lord is my Banner”.
THOUGHTS
The Israelites always forgot that God had met their needs. Whenever they encountered problems, they always murmured and complained. People today also commit the sin of criticizing and complaining. We are warned that this attitude is tempting the Lord because it means that God does not care to help us. Instead, we should pray and quiet our thoughts.
In times of trials, Moses turned to the Lord and asked for guidance. Whenever we face trials, ask God for help and trust everything to Him.,
During the battle with the Amalekites, Joshua went to fight while Moses and Aaron went to the mountain. Victory required both of them. Today, we have the interceding Son of God, the indwelling Spirit of god and the Inspired Word of God to help us gain victory over the flesh.
Aaron and Hur stood by Moses’ side and held up his hands to ensure victory against the Amalekites. We also need to hold up the hands of our spiritual leaders by sharing responsibility, giving words of encouragement and offering prayers to refresh their work.