THE next trial for Israel was enemies in the way. Before they had left Rephidim, and when they were “faint and weary,” a nation that feared not God made war against them. Then Moses told Joshua to choose men and go out and fight with Amalek—for Amalek was the foe that had attacked them. And he said, “Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill, with the rod of God in my hand.” How often that rod had been used in bringing help to Israel, and in calling forth judgments against their oppressors. Now, again, it was to be used for their deliverance.
Joshua chose his warriors as Moses had directed him to do, and went out and fought with Amalek. But Moses, instead of going on to the battlefield, went to the top of the hill, taking Aaron, his brother, and Hur with him.
And now happened something that seemed very strange, but which showed how dependent the people were upon God, and how mighty was His power, in their behalf. It was this; —when Moses held up his hand, in which he had the rod of God, Israel prevailed, and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But long holding up of hands grew wearisome, so Aaron and Hur took a stone and put it under him for a seat; then they stayed his hands, one on the one side of him, and the other on the other side. In this way the hands of Moses were kept steady till the sun went down. And Joshua gained the victory over Amalek and his people.
In Moses holding up his hands for his people, we have a most beautiful picture of the One who stands for us in the face of a foe that is much mightier than Amalek was. We are not to contend with “flesh and blood”, that is, with our fellow-men, for this is forbidden of God, who tells us that they who take the sword shall perish with the sword. But we have a conflict to wage, and it is with the arch enemy of souls, who, with his host of wicked spirits, rules the darkness of this world. They would, if they could, stop us in our onward way to heaven, even as Amalek and his men would have stopped Israel in their onward march to the promised land. Who shall help us against such a power as this?
Moses went up into the hill on behalf of Israel: Jesus the Son of God, has passed into the heavens, now to appear in the presence of God for us. Moses grew weary and needed help to keep his hands up. The hands of Jesus, our great High Priest, never grow weary; He ever liveth to make intercession for us. Through Constant holding up of the hands Israel prevailed. Jesus is able to save to the uttermost or completely, all who come unto God by Him.
Yes, we who believe in Jesus, have the power of God on our side, and we will be brought off more than conquerors over all our foes. Let us then lift up our heads, and with fresh courage press on.
ML 04/26/1903