Wilderness University - Week 6

Exodus 17:8-16 The Wilderness and Spiritual Warfare

I. The Fighting of Joshua (8-10a)

A. The Enemy’s Strategy

Israel was blindsided in this attack. They were not expecting an army to come and ambush them. This is the first time Israel was going to be in a battle. God fought the Egyptians FOR them, but here, Israel was going to have to do some fighting themselves.

Deuteronomy 25:17–18 KJV 1900

17 Remember what Amalek did unto thee by the way, when ye were come forth out of Egypt; 18 How he met thee by the way, and smote the hindmost of thee, even all that were feeble behind thee, when thou wast faint and weary; and he feared not God.

This passage gives us a little more insight as to what Amalek did exactly. The Amalekites ambushed Israel by coming up behind them and attacking the most feeble and weak among them

It was very common in those days to have the sick and elderly in the back of the marching formation so as to protect them from attacks.

This is a common tactic of lions as well, they will often go after the slowest/weakest one of the group they are hunting. They go for the ones most vulnerable. And how does the Bible describe our greatest enemy? As a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5). Amalek was also a long time enemy of Israel. Israel would have many more run ins with Amalek from this point forward (v. 16)

The devil will do the same to you and I. He will go after us while we are at our weakest and most vulnerable point. Such as when we are weary with the wilderness!

B. The People’s Situation

Joshua then leads a group of men out to make war with the Amalekites.

Heres the thing. Israel was just one big group of former slaves. None of them have any battle experience, theyve never fought in a war before. As mentioned before, Israel never had to fight Egypt, God conquered the Egyptians by Himself.

Joshua and the Israelite men were clearly outmatched. They were untrained men, who probably didnt have proper weapons, going out to fight a trained army that had all the right equipment.

The situation Joshua and Israel found themselves in out on the battlefield was not a favorable one.

This shows us that our adversary, the Devil, is stronger than you and I. In our own strength and ability, we are severely outmatched in our battle against Satan.

Despite these things, Israel had to fight. They couldnt just ignore the threat or they would all be killed. They were in a battle whether they liked it or not

Ephesians 6:12 KJV 1900

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

We too are in a Spiritual Battle whether we like it or not. Paul said we are constantly at war with spiritual darkness. We are in a battle right now! and ignorance of that fact will only result in a losing effort.

II. The Praying of Moses (10b-13)

A. The Power of Prayer

As Joshua is leading is leading the fight down in Rephidim, Moses takes Aaron and Hur up to the top of the mountain to help him pray.

Why did Moses go to the top of the mountain? 3 reasons

So he could see the battle = He wanted to know what was happening

So those in battle could see him = He wanted the people to know he was praying for them

So that they could pray! = He didnt just say “im praying for you”. He put actions to his words and actually did it

Moses may not have been on the battlefield, but his support was just as important. The fate of Israel in battle depended on Moses’ intercession b/c when he prayed, Israel prevailed, and when he stopped, Amalek Prevailed.

Moses had to pray and keep on praying!

Moses prayed as we all should: with passion, believing that life, death, and even eternity depend on prayer!

The job of supporting the battle in prayer was difficult and Moses would need help. True prayer is hard work!

Prayer is sometimes sweet and easy; but other times it is hard work!

B. The Partners of Prayer

Aaron and Hur literally came to the mountain for the sole purpose of holding Moses’ hands up while he prayed

This was the common posture of prayer in ancient Israel. Hands lifted up to heaven while standing.

When we are in the middle of spiritual warfare, and we are battling the devil and his demons, we cant do it alone! We need brothers and sisters to come alongside us and help us in prayer!

Dont make the mistake of thinking that you dont need anyone else and can handle it all by yourself. Had Moses taken that mentality, Israel wouldve died on the battlefield!

Notice also: Aaron and Hur didnt take the responsibility or the burden of prayer away from Moses, they instead helped strengthen him so that he could endure

We cant fight the battles FOR eachother, but we can strengthen one another in the battle with our prayers!

C. The Prevailing of Prayer

When Moses prayed, Israel prevailed. And because of the help of Aaron and Hur, Moses was able to pray for an entire day, and as a result, Israel won the battle against Amalek!

Had they not prayed, Israel would be defeated and history would have been changed.

Many times the people of God are defeated because they will not pray. Life and death, and sometimes even the course of history, is determined by prayer!

III. The Lessons of God

Once again, as we’ve seen all throughout this series, God had some lessons He was trying to teach His people by allowing them to face difficulties in the Wilderness. So what did Moses and the People Learn?

A. Prayer

way back in Exodus 2, Moses’ early years, he thought the only way to win was by fighting, but now he is learning that the battle is won through prayer!

Prayer does not prepare us for the work, Prayer IS the work!

B. Responsibility

Notice also: the praying was not a substitute for Joshua’s fighting, and Joshua’s fighting was not a substitute for Moses’ praying.

Joshua still had to fight, and Moses still had to pray.

Pray as if it all depends on God, work as if it all depends on you!

“Prayer is a downright mockery if it does not lead us into the practical use of means likely to promote the ends for which we pray” - Spurgeon

God is sovereign and all powerful, but that does not mean He will do everything for us. He wants to partner with us.

C. Revelation

Once again, much like at Marah, God revealed another part of Himself that Moses and the people were not yet familiar with - Jehovah-Nissi = The Lord our Banner!

They learned that God would fight