Exodus 17:8-16

Joshua’s army defeated the Amalekites while the raised rod of God over the battle pictured the God’s presence and authority even in battle.

¹⁴ Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write this as a memorial in a book and recite it in the ears of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.” Was this a special scroll or just a reminder that when the record was written to be sure to include this? The verse does indicate that Moses knew that Joshua would be his successor. God would see that the Amalekites eventually became extinct. Saul and David did inflict the final blows on the Amalekites almost 400 years later. (1Samuel 30:17[notes1] )

¹⁵ And Moses built an altar and called the name of it, The LORD is my banner, Altars of stone were built to worship the LORD after a significant encounter. We’ve seen that with Noah (Genesis 8:20[notes2] ) and with Abraham (Genesis 12:7-8[notes3] ), Isaac and Jacob (Genesis 26:25[notes4] ; 35:7[notes5] ).

The translation “banner” is probably incorrect in this verse. It later became used in that manner, but at this time the word was used of a signal pole around which an army would rally for instruction. The rod (nes) was something like a flagpole. Since the rod of God represented the authority of God, Moses was saying that the rod represented God. JHWH is my rallying rod.  He is the One we Israelites gather around for our war briefing. He is where we go for our battle tactics and instructions.

¹⁶ saying, “A hand upon the throne of the LORD! The LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.” The translation here is also in question. NIV “for hands were lifted to the throne of the Lord” point one to think Moses meant it was his prayers that won the battle. That, however, is not the case. ESV has a better translation here, “A hand upon the throne of the LORD!”  It can be understood in two different ways. One is that God’s hand is on His throne swearing by His throne that He will have war with Amalek for generations to come. Since Moses’ hand was mentioned it is more likely that it refers to Moses’ hands on the pole that symbolized the throne of God, the authority of God. The latter would point to the sovereignty of God in winning the battle. Moses’ hand was on the symbol of the throne, meaning God was right there with them.

The passage has revealed another name of God and therefore something of God we should remember. He is JHWH Nissi! Like Israel, we will face battles in life.  God allows them. He guides us to them. He plans that we not face too much at one time. He uses them to train us to look to Him.

Here, in another test, they did look to God, to the authority that staff represented. You could say this was one of the great moments of the wilderness wandering, because they followed through on the last lesson. They learned to listen to God and look to Him. They believed that His authority could conquer their enemy. Whatever battle you are in right now, you can look to the authority of God. Lay hold of the throne. Believe God is more than able to see you through, and He will.  Be sure to read tomorrow’s blog as we draw some amazing parallels that can help us in our battles today.

17 And David struck them down from twilight until the evening of the next day, and not a man of them escaped, except four hundred young men, who mounted camels and fled.

[notes2] Genesis 8:20 (ESV)

20 Then Noah built an altar to the LORD and took some of every clean animal and some of every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar.

[notes3] Genesis 12:7-8 (ESV)

7 Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built there an altar to the LORD, who had appeared to him. 8 From there he moved to the hill country on the east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. And there he built an altar to the LORD and called upon the name of the LORD.

[notes4] Genesis 26:25 (ESV)

25 So he built an altar there and called upon the name of the LORD and pitched his tent there. And there Isaac’s servants dug a well.

[notes5] Genesis 35:7 (ESV)

7 and there he built an altar and called the place El-bethel, because there God had revealed himself to him when he fled from his brother.

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Exodus 17:8-16

¹¹ Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. Some believed that this was a picture of Moses interceding in prayer and is a lesson in persevering in prayer. Though that is a valid lesson, I don’t think that is the main message of this passage.

The lesson here is first and foremost that we look to God to be our strength. Secondly it is that we often need the help of the people of God because of the weakness of the flesh. (Proverbs 24:6[notes2] ) That lesson will be reinforced in the next chapter. We are physical beings that get weary. As Moses arms tired and the rod was lowered, the soldiers below lost sight of the rod and would get discouraged. When it was raised again they encouraged themselves with the memories that rod invoked. If their eyes were not on the sign of God’s presence with them, they would have been the first to turn and would have been defeated.

¹² But Moses’ hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. Aaron and Hur may not have known why they had come, but it didn’t take them long to figure it out. They were there to help Moses do what God had called him to do. (Proverbs 27:10[notes3] ) They were the physical strength behind Moses’ obedience. Moses couldn’t obey on his own. God and Moses both knew that. That is why Aaron and Hur were called.

Most tasks the Lord assigns us are carried out with an Aaron and Hur The church worship service relies on numerous people, the elders, the worship team, the office administrator, the deaconesses, Children’s church teachers, intercessors, and greeters. . I had help from two different couples proofreading my books. The lone ranger jobs are the exception rather than the rule.

When we receive the tabernacle we’ll need Aarons and Hurs from every church that are willing to help. Later in the Scriptures, David will declare that all people should share in the reward that comes from the effort, frontline people and those who stay behind. (1Samuel 30:24-25[notes4] ) From the preacher to the technical person at the soundboard, everyone shares the reward because together they make it possible.

God seems to delight in cooperative efforts. That is one reason He has blessed the churches in Sedona. We are more than willing to work together and help one another. Look at the Trinity! The Father gives the plan, the Son carries it out, and the Holy Spirit illuminates what the Son did. God even uses us to share His love with others. God blesses us when we work together under His ordained leaders for His glory. (Psalm 133:1[notes5] )

[notes2] Proverbs 24:6 (ESV)

6 for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.

[notes3] Proverbs 27:10 (ESV)

10 Do not forsake your friend and your father’s friend, and do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity. Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother who is far away.

[notes4] 1 Samuel 30:24-25 (ESV)

24 Who would listen to you in this matter? For as his share is who goes down into the battle, so shall his share be who stays by the baggage. They shall share alike.” 25 And he made it a statute and a rule for Israel from that day forward to this day.

[notes5] Psalm 133:1 (ESV)

1 A SONG OF ASCENTS. OF DAVID. Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!

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Exodus 17:8-16

⁸ Then Amalek came and fought with Israel at Rephidim. ⁹ So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose for us men, and go out and fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” Given Moses description in Deuteronomy, I think Amalek fought a kind of guerilla warfare. Moses had to send an army after them to engage them head on. Apparently, God had given Moses instructions as to how to deal with these marauders.

I would like for us to consider the sovereignty of God in the matter. They did not go one way to face a more sophisticated and better-equipped army, but they did face these people who were a better match for them. This was a way of teaching battle to the fighting men of Israel. God doesn’t give us more than we can handle. (1Corinthians 10:13[notes1] ) Neither does He always expect us to just sit back and watch like He had them do at the Red Sea. (Exodus 14:13[notes2] ) God is training us little by little.

The same is true in the spiritual realm. He gives us those tests that won’t overwhelm us but will teach us and help us grow. You can be sure that God will never give you a test that will defeat you if you will look to Him. That is the point of this encounter. It is a different situation with a unique solution, but the answer is the same. Look to God. They had just learned that lesson in this very place as God provided manna and quail. Now, will they look to God and listen to His word as they face an enemy in battle? (Deuteronomy 8:3[notes3] ) Will you look to God in the battle you are facing today and count on His strength?

Moses is going to take the rod of God to a hilltop where the soldiers can see him. In his hands is that symbol of the authority of Almighty God, the rod of God. Some have speculated that it may have been ornamented with some shiny objects which would make it more visible, and that is why it is referred to later as a signal pole or banner.

Moses took his brother Aaron and a man named Hur with him. Hur is Hebrew equivalent of “Whitey”. It was a common name. Josephus tells us that he was Miriam’s husband.

We don’t know if the LORD commanded them to come along or if Moses just had the good sense to bring along some assistants. There are some things we should do alone and there are others that wisdom would dictate the need for assistance.

Joshua was to muster an army in one day. This is the first we read of Joshua. He is half the age of Moses and may have already been a natural leader preparing men to protect their family and herds. (Joshua 14:7[notes4] ) The Scripture tells us that they went up from Egypt armed, so we know that they do have weaponry. (Exodus 13:18[notes5] )

¹⁰ So Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought with Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. Sword and shield battles were often won or lost dependent on who tired or lost hope first. As soon as someone turned to run, they were exposed to sword and arrow. Once a few fell, others would frighten and turn. Battles were often one-sided massacres depending on who turned to run first.

Moses presence on the hill with the rod of God as an ensign was assurance for the novice warriors of Israel. It would remind them of the defeat of Egypt with that same rod. It would remind them that God fought for them. (Exodus 14:14[notes6] )If we will look to God and keep our eyes fixed on Him, we will have the courage to stand and fight. Whatever you do, don’t turn allow the enemy to scare you into running. Look to God and trust in Him to see you through.

13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

[notes2] Exodus 14:13 (ESV)

13 And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again.

[notes3] Deuteronomy 8:3 (ESV)

3 And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.

[notes4] Joshua 14:7 (ESV)

7 I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land, and I brought him word again as it was in my heart.

[notes5] Exodus 13:18 (ESV)

18 But God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. And the people of Israel went up out of the land of Egypt equipped for battle.

[notes6] Exodus 14:14 (ESV)

14 The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”

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