The Battle Belongs to the Lord

Call to Worship

Psalm 98 LSB

A Psalm. Sing to Yahweh a new song, For He has done wondrous deeds, His right hand and His holy arm have worked out His salvation. Yahweh has made known His salvation; He has revealed His righteousness in the eyes of the nations. He has remembered His lovingkindness and His faithfulness to the house of Israel; All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Make a loud shout to Yahweh, all the earth; Break forth and sing for joy and sing praises. Sing praises to Yahweh with the lyre, With the lyre and the sound of singing. With trumpets and the sound of the horn Make a loud shout before King Yahweh. Let the sea roar, as well as its fullness, The world and those who dwell in it. Let the rivers clap their hands, Let the mountains sing together for joy Before Yahweh, for He is coming to judge the earth; He will judge the world with righteousness And the peoples with equity.

First Reading

Malachi 4:1–2 LSB

“For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace; and all the arrogant and every worker of wickedness will be chaff; and the day that is coming will set them aflame,” says Yahweh of hosts, “so that it will leave them neither root nor branch.” “But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall.

Scripture and Prayer

Luke 21:5–19 LSB

And while some were talking about the temple, that it had been adorned with beautiful stones and dedicated gifts, He said, “As for these things which you are looking at, the days will come in which there will not be left one stone upon another which will not be torn down.” So they questioned Him, saying, “Teacher, when therefore will these things happen? And what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?” And He said, “See to it that you are not deceived; for many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time is at hand.’ Do not go after them. “And when you hear of wars and disturbances, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end does not follow immediately.” Then He continued saying to them, “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. “But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for My name’s sake. “It will result in an opportunity for your testimony. “So set in your hearts not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute. “But you will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death, and you will be hated by all because of My name. “Yet not a hair of your head will perish. “By your perseverance you will gain your lives.

INTRO:

Summary: MacArthur Study Bible NASB (Commentary) Through the circumstances they experienced, Israel had learned how God provided food and water. They had to learn through warfare that God would also bring about defeat of hostile neighbors.

In Exodus 17:8-16, we see the Israelites facing a fierce battle against the Amalekites. When Moses to raises his hands they prevail in battle, when lowered, they falter. This demonstrates the power of faith and dependence on God in times of conflict.

Application: This passage demonstrates the importance of relying on God's strength and grace in our personal battles. As we confront our daily struggles—whether they are relational, spiritual, or emotional—we can find encouragement in knowing that God fights with us and for us.

Recommended Study: As you prepare, consider examining the historical context of the Amalekite conflict in Exodus 17:8-16—Logos can help you delve into its significance in Israel's narrative. You might want to explore how Moses' gestures symbolize dependence on God, including the cultural aspects of leadership in ancient Israel. Additionally, look into any textual variations in the Hebrew text that might enhance your understanding of God's promises in this passage.

Bible Passage: Exodus 17:8-16

Exodus 17:8–16 LSB

Then Amalek came and fought against Israel at Rephidim. So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose men for us and go out, fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will take my stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” And Joshua did as Moses told him, to fight against Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. So it happened when Moses raised his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set. So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. Then Yahweh said to Moses, “Write this in a book as a memorial and recite it in Joshua’s hearing, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.” And Moses built an altar and named it Yahweh is My Banner; and he said, “Because He has sworn with a hand upon the throne of Yah, Yahweh will have war against Amalek from generation to generation.”

1. Conflict Calls for Faith

Exodus 17:8 LSB

Then Amalek came and fought against Israel at Rephidim.

The Amalekites came and fought Israel.

This is the first conflict with an opposing force we find them in.

The Amalekites apparently viewed Israel’s presence in their territory as a threat so they attacked.

Who were the Amalekites?

The Amalekites in Exodus 17 were a nomadic tribe descended from Amalek, a grandson of Esau (Genesis 36:12, 16). They inhabited the northern Sinai Peninsula and southern Canaan (Negev region) and were known for their raiding lifestyle.

More details are given in Deut and this serves as a background for future conflicts.

Deuteronomy 25:17–19 LSB

“Remember what Amalek did to you along the way when you came out from Egypt, how he met you along the way and attacked among you all the stragglers at your rear, but you were faint and weary; and he did not fear God. “Therefore it will be, when Yahweh your God has given you rest from all your surrounding enemies, in the land which Yahweh your God gives you as an inheritance to possess, you shall blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven; you must not forget.

Not only was the attack unprovoked—it was targeted against the weak and the helpless, the stragglers at the back of the caravan. Rather than waging an honorable war for just cause, the Amalekites made a sneak attack on defenseless women and children.

Philip Graham Ryken; R. Kent Hughes

They were an enemy who attacked and harassed and keep persisting in their hostility through generations.

Exodus 17:9–10 LSB

So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose men for us and go out, fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will take my stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” And Joshua did as Moses told him, to fight against Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.

2 prongs to their attack:

Joshua takes men to fight

This is our introduction to Joshua, who will be the leader of Israel after Moses and bring them home to the promised land.

MacArthur Study Bible NASB (Title) “Joshua” means “Jehovah saves,” or “the Lord is salvation,” and corresponds to the NT name “Jesus.” God delivered Israel in Joshua’s day when He was personally present as the saving Commander who fought on Israel’s behalf

Normal military order.

Nothing necessarily special about them. In fact, they were most likely still green at the warrior trade. Just a couple of months before this they had been slaves not soldiers!

Moses on top of the hill with God’s staff.

We aren’t told specifically that GOD had instructed Moses to do this, but that is a pretty safe assumption.

Remember, the power is GOD, not the staff!

MacArthur Study Bible NASB (Commentary) The staff was the symbol of God’s personal and powerful involvement, with Moses’ outstretched arms perhaps signifying an appeal to God.

The ebb and flow of battle in correlation with Moses’ uplifted or drooping arms imparted more than psychological encouragement as the soldiers looked up to their leader on the hilltop, and more than Moses’ interceding for them. It demonstrated and acknowledged their having to depend upon God for victory in battle and not upon their own strength and zeal

The Israelites' conflict with the Amalekites sets the stage for God's involvement in their victory.

God was going to show another aspect of His protection and leadership.

While the battle is tangible, it is God's power and not mere human strength that assures victory.

2. Community Carries the Weak

Exodus 17:11 LSB

So it happened when Moses raised his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed.

This unorthodox occurrence showed that GOD was in charge of the outcome.

Hands raised- victory

Hands dropped- defeat

This isn’t a military strategy, it is a FAITH strategy.

His raised arms are an act of worship and trust in God’s power.

When God was boing

It was important that the Israelites understand unmistakably that the only reason they could win against the Amalekites was that God was fighting for them, giving them the victory.

Douglas Stuart

Exodus 17:12 LSB

But Moses’ hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set.

When Moses' strength wavered, Aaron and Hur supported him

AP: This serves to illustrate how community helps us persevere in faith.

We NEED each other. God built us that way and gave us families.

Jesus founded the church while He was on Earth to give us a lasting community of faith

Hebrews 10:24–25 LSB

And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

Stimulate:

Love

for God

for neighbors

carry each others burdens

meet needs

Good works

Discipleship

The last phrase in the great commission: teaching them to observe

Accountability

Hold each other accountable

Restore the fallen

Encouraging

Strengthen each other when we grow weary

3. Celebrate God's Victory

Exodus 17:13-16

Exodus 17:13 LSB

So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.

Militarily, Joshua “overwhelemed Amalek”

Spiritually, we know it was God’s doing and the rest of the chapter acknowledges that.

Exodus 17:14 LSB

Then Yahweh said to Moses, “Write this in a book as a memorial and recite it in Joshua’s hearing, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.”

God declared that Amalek would be wiped out for how they treated Israel.

MacArthur Study Bible NASB Commentary

The sentence was partially realized in Saul’s and David’s day (cf.

Exodus 17:15 LSB

And Moses built an altar and named it Yahweh is My Banner;

The victory is attributed to God and memorialized by building an altar. This represents acknowledging God's deliverance and remembering His faithfulness.

Another new title of GOD is revealed:

Yahweh-Nissi

“The LORD Himself is our rallying point, our victory flag, and the One we look to in battle.”

God is Israel’s visible sign of presence and power. Just as Moses’ raised staff was the physical signal of victory, Yahweh Himself is the ultimate banner under which His people fight and win.

Exodus 17:16 LSB

and he said, “Because He has sworn with a hand upon the throne of Yah, Yahweh will have war against Amalek from generation to generation.”

There is debate on the exact translation of the Hebrew here and several translations take different approaches.

The ultimate meaning is clear:

The ongoing problem with Amalek was not merely 2 earthly nations hostile to each other. It was a war between GOD and Amalek

AP:

We should build 'spiritual altars' in our lives as testimonies of God's victories

Remember what God has done!

Conc.

Big Idea: The battle may be fierce, but with God on our side, we are assured victory through prayer and community support.