The Battle Belongs to the Lord

Lifting High the LORD Exodus 17:8-16 Introduction • 4th of 5 impossible circumstances: Bitter Water, No Food, No Water, Military Crisis, and Civil Chaos.. • Israel finally has a secure, albeit temporary, place to settle. • Passage of Firsts: active combat; appearance of Joshua, Hur; command to write; Moses’s initiative • These final two circumstances illustrate the promise made to Abram: “I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you will curse” (Genesis 12:3). Amalek the Enemy • Distant Relatives: Amaleck was Esau’s grandson (Genesis 36:10-12). • Implacable Foe: first nation to defeat Israel (Numbers 14:21f); attempted to drive Israel from the land (Judges 3:13ff); almost defeated by Saul (1 Samuel 15:15ff); suffered terrible defeats under David (2 Samuel 8:11-12); attempted to wipe out Israel entirely (see Esther) • Amalek’s Motive: nomadic, warrior people who needed only targets of opportunity (Deuteronomy 25:17-19) The Battle • Joshua was given very short notice with a band of barely trained men. • Israel had a huge numerical advantage, but the Amalekites were professional soldiers using their weaponized camels. • Moses oversaw the battle and lifted his arms, which proved to be the decisive factor. • Aaron (the chief of priests) and Hur (presumably a recognized civic leader) support God’s chosen leader – their spiritual investment paid practical dividends. The Commemoration • Moses Builds an Altar – the LORD is my rallying cry and the Person I lift high for all to see. • “A hand upon the throne” can be translated/interpreted one of two ways: “hand to the throne” or “hand against the throne.” In one [to], God is making a vow (see NASB, KJV); in the other [against], God is giving the reason for declaration of war (see NIV, NLT). The Applications • Whether in Old Testament times or New, following God guarantees violent resistance from those who hate God (see Genesis 4:3ff; Revelation 19:19). • Faith is always a fight (1 Timothy 6:12; Ephesians 6:10f; 1 Corinthians 16:13; 2 Corinthians 10:4-6). • God is always the great Victor (Proverbs 21:31).