Exodus 17:8 Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.
9 And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand.
10 So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.
11 And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.
12 But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.
13 And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
14 And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.
15 And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi:
16 For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.
Amalek was of the posterity of Esau. Thus this was a relative of the nation of Israel. We know that Esau had a hatred for his brother Jacob, but supposedly resolved that prior to his death. However, the hatred was still there and carried through to his children.
Moses gave commandment to Joshua to prepare for war against Amalek. Moses would go to the top of the hill with the rod of God in his hand. The rod of God was an important tool that God gave Moses. This rod was used to do signs and wonders earlier before Pharaoh. It was the same rod that was used to part the waters of the Red Sea as well as close those waters up again upon the Egyptians.. It was also the same rod used to give the nation of Israel water at Rephidim. Now it would be used as a token of the power of God in the fight against Amalek.
Moses would stretch out his hand with that rod in it and as long as his hand was outstretched Israel would win. However, Moses’ hand with the rod in it would grow weary and if he lowered that hand, the Amalekites would win. Thus Moses sat upon a rock and Aaron and Hur held up his hands so that rod would remain extended. They needed to do this until sundown.
It is important to be sure that we have the LORD’s blessing on what we are doing. The enemy is far greater than we are, but no enemy is greater than God. If we are doing His Work, His way, it will succeed. We see as well, that doing His Work is not a one man operation. Moses and Aaron and Hur were up in the hill, but Joshua and the men were in the physical battle. Their efforts were important, however their efforts were nothing without the blessing and strength of the LORD.
This was a team effort, but it was all dependent upon the LORD giving the victory. The nation of Israel was often referred to as the army of the LORD, but they were not well equipped nor well trained in fighting. They needed to put in their effort, but they needed to understand it was not their effort alone that gained them the victory. Their effort was simply in obedience to the command of the LORD.
We read in verse 13 that God gave Joshua success in this battle. In verse 14 we read that this was something else that needed to be recorded for future reference. Amalek had made a bad choice. They should have known they could not win against the LORD. Joshua and the nation of Israel needed to have this written down so they could be reminded of the greatness of the LORD and that He would protect them from all danger. It did not mean they would not face danger, but they would have protection in the midst of danger.
Amalek would be destroyed. They would eventually be wiped out. I Chronicles 4:42-43 tells us that the Simeonites were directed by God to fight against the remnant of the Amalekites.
Today, Canada has taken a position against Israel. They have spoken openly against her on many occasions. They have chosen to speak in favour of the terrorist Arabs who are chanting death to Israel.
We do not need to look back that far in history to remember a man named Hitler who worked with the Catholics and the Muslims to try to destroy the Jews. He failed. He is dead and in torment today. Those who join and support the Catholics and the Muslims will also find themselves in torment one day.
People can try to act in defiance of the LORD, but no one wins against Him.
In our text we read that Moses built an altar and called it Jehovahnissi. That name means “Jehovah is my banner”. It was the LORD whose name was to be exalted. Israel needed to be reminded of this fact. However, the nations around her also needed to be reminded of this fact. When any nation goes against Israel, they will always give the LORD an opportunity to make His name known. Israel has suffered many losses due to their rebellion against the LORD, but it should be obvious that no one wins against the LORD.
In verse 16 we see the continued promise of the LORD, that He would have war with Amalek from generation to generation. Apparently there are people among the Arabs today that are descendants of Amalek. They will face trouble from the LORD and eventually be judged by the Lord Jesus Christ at the great white throne judgment.
God gives us His Word and He never breaks His Word. Those who choose to dismiss what He says will face the consequences of their defiance against Him. Those who are saved need a steady hand in their service of the Lord. The world is always looking for change. The New Evangelical crowd is always changing. God never changes. We need the help of other saints to remain steady in serving the Lord.
Pastor Bartel
