Four Facts For the Fight
Lessons From The Exodus • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Exodus 17:8-16
8 While the people of Israel were still at Rephidim, the warriors of Amalek attacked them.
9 Moses commanded Joshua, “Choose some men to go out and fight the army of Amalek for us. Tomorrow, I will stand at the top of the hill, holding the staff of God in my hand.”
10 So Joshua did what Moses had commanded and fought the army of Amalek. Meanwhile, Moses, Aaron, and Hur climbed to the top of a nearby hill.
11 As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage.
12 Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset.
13 As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle.
14 After the victory, the Lord instructed Moses, “Write this down on a scroll as a permanent reminder, and read it aloud to Joshua: I will erase the memory of Amalek from under heaven.”
15 Moses built an altar there and named it Yahweh-nissi (which means “the Lord is my banner”).
16 He said, “They have raised their fist against the Lord’s throne, so now the Lord will be at war with Amalek generation after generation.”
INTRODUCTION:
A- BACKGROUND:
1- Israel’s jubilation and praise for God quickly faded.
a. They somehow didn’t get it that the God who had miraculously saved them from the Egyptians was able to take care of their basic needs in the wilderness.
They were very adept at complaining. (Exodus 15:23-24; 16:2; 17:2-3)
23 When they came to the oasis of Marah, the water was too bitter to drink. So they called the place Marah (which means “bitter”).
24 Then the people complained and turned against Moses. “What are we going to drink?” they demanded.
2 There, too, the whole community of Israel complained about Moses and Aaron.
2 So once more the people complained against Moses. “Give us water to drink!” they demanded. “Quiet!” Moses replied. “Why are you complaining against me? And why are you testing the Lord?”
3 But tormented by thirst, they continued to argue with Moses. “Why did you bring us out of Egypt? Are you trying to kill us, our children, and our livestock with thirst?”
In response, God granted grace and supplied their needs. (Exodus 15:25;16:35; 17:6-7)
25 So Moses cried out to the Lord for help, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood. Moses threw it into the water, and this made the water good to drink. It was there at Marah that the Lord set before them the following decree as a standard to test their faithfulness to him.
35 So the people of Israel ate manna for forty years until they arrived at the land where they would settle. They ate manna until they came to the border of the land of Canaan.
6 I will stand before you on the rock at Mount Sinai. Strike the rock, and water will come gushing out. Then the people will be able to drink.” So Moses struck the rock as he was told, and water gushed out as the elders looked on.
7 Moses named the place Massah (which means “test”) and Meribah (which means “arguing”) because the people of Israel argued with Moses and tested the Lord by saying, “Is the Lord here with us or not?”
B- How many times do we complain and doubt God after he has performed mighty acts in our lives?
1- He has saved us.
2- He has provided for our needs again and again.
3- Our response is to doubt and complain.
C- Warfare is inevitable.
1- Today we look at Israel’s first battle.
a- Our text has some potent lessons for us to learn.
I- THERE IS A WAR TO BE FOUGHT. (Exodus 17:8)
I- THERE IS A WAR TO BE FOUGHT. (Exodus 17:8)
8 While the people of Israel were still at Rephidim, the warriors of Amalek attacked them.
A- The war is real.
A- The war is real.
1- Israel could not ignore the attack of the enemy.
a. Amalek (an ancient wandering tribe descended from Esau’s grandson Amalek (Gen. 36:12, 16; 1 Chr. 1:36). ) Attacked Israel in the wilderness.
b. The Amalekites were destined to be the future enemies of Israel.
2- We can’t ignore that there is a war being waged against us.
(Ephesians 6:11-13)
11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.
12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.
a. The evidence for the war can be seen in everyday life.
crime
addiction
etc.
B- The war is righteous - It is for God’s glory.
B- The war is righteous - It is for God’s glory.
b. To ignore or deny this war opens us up to severe consequences.
Personally. (1 Peter 5:8-9)
8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.
Much is at stake
The glory of God
The welfare of God’s people
The lives and eternal destiny of the lost.
II- THE WEAPONS FOR THE WAR ARE GOD-ORDAINED. (Exodus 17:9)
II- THE WEAPONS FOR THE WAR ARE GOD-ORDAINED. (Exodus 17:9)
9 Moses commanded Joshua, “Choose some men to go out and fight the army of Amalek for us. Tomorrow, I will stand at the top of the hill, holding the staff of God in my hand.”
A- We must choose to fight the good fight.
A- We must choose to fight the good fight.
1- Israel had to make the choice to fight.
a. Neutrality was not an option.
2- We cannot be neutral. we must choose to fight for Jesus!
(Matthew 12:30)
30 “Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.
Like people who stand around and watch someone being attacked and robbed help the attacker by refusing to stop him.
(2 Timothy2:3)
3 Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
(2 Timothy 4:6-8)
6 As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near.
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.
8 And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.
B- We must use God’s weapons.
B- We must use God’s weapons.
9 Moses commanded Joshua, “Choose some men to go out and fight the army of Amalek for us. Tomorrow, I will stand at the top of the hill, holding the staff of God in my hand.”
1- Notice God had a plan and a particular weapon to use.
a. Moses was going to be holding the “staff of God.”
b. God’s plan was for Moses to hold it up, demonstrating who it was that was winning the war!
2- We have been given weapons to fight the war.
(2 Corinthians 10:4)
4 We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments.
(Ephesians 6:14-18)
14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.
15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.
16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.
17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
III- THE WAR CANNOT BE FOUGHT SINGLE HANDEDLY. (Exodus 17:10-12)
III- THE WAR CANNOT BE FOUGHT SINGLE HANDEDLY. (Exodus 17:10-12)
10 So Joshua did what Moses had commanded and fought the army of Amalek. Meanwhile, Moses, Aaron, and Hur climbed to the top of a nearby hill.
11 As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage.
12 Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset.
A- One man cannot fight the battle alone.
A- One man cannot fight the battle alone.
1-When Moses was able to hold up the staff, the battle went well.
a. When Moses grew weary and his hands began to fall, Israel started loosing.
2- Trying to fight the battle alone results in exhaustion and defeat.
Elijah fled to Mt. Carmel - felt alone and depressed. (1 Kings 19)
B- Needed: Helpers (Exodus 17:12)
B- Needed: Helpers (Exodus 17:12)
12 Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset.
1- Aaron and Hur helped Moses by holding up his hands.
a. They stayed and assisted Moses until the job was done.
b. Moses had to be willing to let them help.
2- The New Testament pattern:
a. The Apostles had helpers:
Peter & John
Paul & Silas
b. The church:
The deacons elected to help (Acts 6:2-7)
2 So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program.
3 And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility.
4 Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.”
5 Everyone liked this idea, and they chose the following: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith).
6 These seven were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them as they laid their hands on them.
7 So God’s message continued to spread. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too.
Spiritual gifts given to help the church.
(1 Corinthians 12:11-12)
11 It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.
12 The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ.
(Ephesians 4:16)
16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
IV- THE VICTORY IN THE WAR BELONGS TO GOD. (Exodus 17:13-16)
IV- THE VICTORY IN THE WAR BELONGS TO GOD. (Exodus 17:13-16)
13 As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle.
14 After the victory, the Lord instructed Moses, “Write this down on a scroll as a permanent reminder, and read it aloud to Joshua: I will erase the memory of Amalek from under heaven.”
15 Moses built an altar there and named it Yahweh-nissi (which means “the Lord is my banner”).
16 He said, “They have raised their fist against the Lord’s throne, so now the Lord will be at war with Amalek generation after generation.”
A- The Lord must give the victory. (Exodus 17:13-14)
A- The Lord must give the victory. (Exodus 17:13-14)
13 As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle.
14 After the victory, the Lord instructed Moses, “Write this down on a scroll as a permanent reminder, and read it aloud to Joshua: I will erase the memory of Amalek from under heaven.”
1- Israel was to have a writted record of this battle as a reminder that God had won the war.
2- We must always remember that the battle is the Lord’s.
David’s statement before killing Goliath. (1 Samuel 17:47)
47 And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!”
B- The Lord must receive the glory. (Exodus 17:15-16)
B- The Lord must receive the glory. (Exodus 17:15-16)
15 Moses built an altar there and named it Yahweh-nissi (which means “the Lord is my banner”).
16 He said, “They have raised their fist against the Lord’s throne, so now the Lord will be at war with Amalek generation after generation.”
1- Stealing God’s glory is sin.
2- Stealing God’s glory is dangerous!
Moses stole God’s glory by striking the rock (Num 20:7–12)
7 and the Lord said to Moses,
8 “You and Aaron must take the staff and assemble the entire community. As the people watch, speak to the rock over there, and it will pour out its water. You will provide enough water from the rock to satisfy the whole community and their livestock.”
9 So Moses did as he was told. He took the staff from the place where it was kept before the Lord.
10 Then he and Aaron summoned the people to come and gather at the rock. “Listen, you rebels!” he shouted. “Must we bring you water from this rock?”
11 Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with the staff, and water gushed out. So the entire community and their livestock drank their fill.
12 But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust me enough to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land I am giving them!”
CONCLUSION:
