Every Part Doing Its Share
Every part doing its share
Ex 17:8-13 1/27/08 a.m.
Ex 17:8-13
8 Now Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim. 9 And Moses said to Joshua, “Choose us some men and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand.” 10 So Joshua did as Moses said to him, and fought with Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11 And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. 12 But Moses’ hands became heavy; so 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 the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.
The man of God is to lead the people by the Word.
I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand.
V 9 I will stand on the top of the hill – is a place of communion with God
to obtain revelation and direction
it is also place of observation,
and a strategic place of control or command
The Rod of God 4294 מַטֶּה [matteh, mattah /mat·teh/] n m. From 5186; TWOT 1352b; GK 4751; 251 occurrences; AV translates as “tribe” 182 times, “rod” 52 times, “staff” 15 times, “staves” once, and “tribe + 4294” once. 1 staff, branch, tribe. 1a staff, rod, shaft. 1b branch (of vine). 1c tribe. 1c1 company led by chief with staff (originally).[1]
A rod and or staff is used by the shepherd both as a weapon to protect the sheep and as a tool for guiding the sheep.
It represents to authority of God, the power of God.
The Rod of God that a pastor uses to lead with is the word of God.
The man of God needs support from godly people
The battle with Amalek Ex 17:11-12
11 And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. 12 But Moses’ hands became heavy; so 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 the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.
Notice that when the man of God becomes tired, worn down and unable to do his duties, the people of God (church) begin to loose the battle.
when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed
It is too much for a pastor to carry the full load of a church
Ex 17:12 12 But Moses’ hands became heavy;
Moses sits to judge the people Ex 18:13-22
Ex 18:18
18 Both you and these people who are with you will surely wear yourselves out. For this thing is too much for you; you are not able to perform it by yourself.
Dt 1:9,12-13 Moses said: 9 ‘I alone am not able to bear you.
How can I alone bear your problems and your burdens and your complaints?
The disciples faced the same problems in the church and followed suit
Ac 6:1
Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, 1because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.
God fearing men are to be selected to help the pastor in the work of the church.
Ex 17:10 And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. (With Moses)
Remember the top of the hill – is a place of communion with God
to obtain revelation and direction
it is also place of observation,
and a strategic place of control or command
God fearing men – are to be in communion with God
Are to seek revelation and direction
Are to observe their surroundings
Because they are in a strategic place of control or command with their leader
Ex 18:21-22
21Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers
22 Then it will be that every great matter they shall bring to you, but every small matter they themselves shall judge.
Dt 1:13
13 Choose wise, understanding, and knowledgeable men from among your tribes, and I will make them heads over you.’
Ac 6:3
3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;
The character of deacons: these had the care of the temporal concerns of the church, that is, the maintenance of the ministers and provision for the poor: they served tables, while the ministers or bishops gave themselves only to the ministry of the word and prayer[2]
The pastor is to be devoted to prayer, study of the word, teaching and leading the people.
Ex 18:19-20
19 Listen now to my voice; I will give you counsel, and God will be with you: Stand before God for the people, so that you may bring the difficulties to God. 20 And you shall teach them the statutes and the laws, and show them the way in which they must walk and the work they must do.
Ac 6:2,4
2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables
4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
A unit of Godly leadership is better for everyone.
Ex 17:13 13 So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
Ex 18:23 So it will be easier for you, for they will bear the burden with you. 23 If you do this thing, … then you will be able to endure, and all this people will also go to their place in peace.”
Ac 6:5,7 5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude.
7 Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.
No one is without a job to do or service to provide.
Eph 2:19-22
Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
Eph 4:16 —Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
Eph 4:1-7
I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift
Are you a member of the household of God – are you saved?
Are you walking worthy of your calling?
Are you overlooking the faults of others?
Are you doing your part to keep unity and peace in this church?
Are you doing your part to ensure the growth of this church?
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n n: noun
m m: masculine
TWOT Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament
GK Goodrick-Kohlenberger
AV Authorized Version
[1]Strong, James: The Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible : Showing Every Word of the Text of the Common English Version of the Canonical Books, and Every Occurrence of Each Word in Regular Order. electronic ed. Ontario : Woodside Bible Fellowship., 1996, S. H4294
1 Greek-speaking Jews
[2]Henry, Matthew: Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible : Complete and Unabridged in One Volume. Peabody : Hendrickson, 1996, c1991, S. 1 Ti 3:8