This morning, I came across a well known story found in Exodus 17, and something new popped out at me. I love when this happens! It tells the encounter Israel had with the Amalekites, their first battle encounter after coming out of Egypt. Up to this point, they were not asked to fight, but to flee. The Bible doesn't mention how the Israelites felt when they were first attacked or knew of the eminent attack of the Amalekites, so before I continue, I add this disclaimer. I do not claim to be the final word of God. This is simply what I felt God speak to me personally through His word this morning. As my pastor often says, chew the meat and spit out the bones. The Amalekites, from what I understand, were trained warriors. Their enemy, the Israelites, had been in slavery for 400 years. The Israelites would not have been trained for battle, but would have been very trained in the art of submission and being dominated. I cannot imagine anyone who desired to keep a people captive and under their authority, would have equipped them with the knowledge of war. That wouldn't make sense. And, at this particular time, the Israelites were in a state of added weakness, physically and mentally. They were in a dessert, hot, tired, and extremely thirsty. They had, in fact, just gotten done complaining to Moses about their lack of water and were of the mindset that they were all going to die. It's not really a great atmosphere to be in if you are about ready to face a well-trained army. In short, they were weak and unprepared. They would have had a slaves mentality and in the face of a bigger, authoritative, and trained army; they would have had a submissive and fearful spirit in the shadow of these warriors. Their first response would have been flight, something they were good at, and not fight, something they had not done in over 400 years. However, Moses; with all of this knowledge about these people, took a look at the Israelites and took a look at the Amalekites and did the most logical thing: He called Joshua to him and said, "Get some men together. Tomorrow we fight. I'm going to stand up there on that hill with the staff of God in my hand." The Bible does not suggest any questioning or fear on Joshua's part when He was given this order; he went and did exactly as Moses asked him too. This seems crazy to me. If it had been me, I would have had a lot of questions, a ton of doubt, and even more fear. "You want me to go get who? They are not trained! They are weak, tired, complaining....there is no way even the strongest of these men are fit to fight the enemy!" It's a good thing I wasn't there, I guess. I would have buried my head in the sand! Joshua's obedience and unwavering spirit blows my mind!
The next day, Joshua and his men went out to fight and Moses, along with Aaron and Hur, went up on top of the hill. As Moses stood there, he raised his hand (praise), firmly grasping the staff of God (the authority of God) in his hands. There must have been times that Moses lowered the staff, maybe out of fatigue, maybe out of pride or self-assurance as he saw the Israelites prevailing, however; these three men began to notice a pattern. As long as Moses kept his hand raised with the staff of God in it, Israel began to overcome their enemy, but when he lowered the staff, Amalek began to prevail. The Bible says that Moses' hands became heavy and it became hard for him to hold the staff up. It became difficult for him to continue to hold the authority of God high, but at this point, Moses understood the importance of keeping it raised, because he had witnessed the Israelites struggle every time he lowered his hand. Aaron and Hur took a rock and placed it under Moses for him to sit on. Then, with one on each side, they stood beside Moses supporting his hands. Moses' hands remained study until sun down and Joshua and the Israelites prevailed in battle.
WOW! As I read through Exodus Chapter 17 this morning, so many things stood out to me. Moses raised his hand. A hand raised is a symbol of praise. In his hand, he held the staff of God. The staff of God was and is the authority of God. Moses stood, his hand raised in praise grasping onto the very authority of God. When he grew tired, two of his friends, two of his "brothers" stood beside him and supported him through his weakness. As I finished reading, I saw how beautifully applicable this is to our own lives.
How often do we walk through a desert in our lives? We are tired, thirsty, worn out and our spirits begin to complain. "Where are you God!? Why have you led me out here. Are you trying to kill me?! I would have been better off staying in the land of my oppression." We begin to doubt, question, and fear what the future may be holding for us. We cannot see a way out and then, when we just think things can't get any worse, we spot our enemy on the horizon. We know we are ill equipped to fight. All the scenarios begin running through our minds. We can fight and die or we can run and die or we can surrender and die. Nothing looks promising. As we contemplate our choices, our leader comes near and begins hand picking the strongest men out of our midst and says, "tomorrow you will be fighting. I'm calling you up." Our response, my response, is never one of excitement, but more like, "ya right!"
Let's shift our attention a bit now to Moses. We have been in his position too, leading, trying to carry out God's will and plan, walking out the passion He has placed on our hearts, the calling He has led us to. This might be in leadership of our families or leadership at work or within the church. We have all been there. Trying to lead a tired, complaining, and unskilled crew. We often just want to shout, "Shut up and quite your complaining!" And we turn to God and say, "look at what you have given me to lead! What am I supposed to do with them?!" Just like Moses. Just as Moses felt he was receiving a little bit of direction from God on how to quiet the people, he sees an enemy on the horizon coming to attack. In fact, from some of the commentaries I read, it seemed to suggest that through all of this, the Amalekites and been already bothering Israel a bit. If I was Moses, and in my own personal life when I am feeling frustrated and then see that I am coming under attack again, I do not usually respond with praise and adoration for God's goodness. I usually say something like, "that's it! I quit....EVERYTHING! You have got to be kidding me, right? When will I ever catch a break!?" We have all been there, right? Moses' response? He gathers the strongest men together under the leadership of Joshua, he stands on a hill, he raises his hand in praise ALL underneath the authority of God which he holds firmly grasped in his hand. What if we began to respond in the desert of our life, under extreme conditions, and facing the enemy just like Moses did? Instead of running and hiding, we gather the strongest of men and sharpen our weapon the Word of God. Instead of continuing to complain, doubt, fear, or question, we raise our hands in praise and we do this all, not with a slave spirit, but with the spirit of Sonship. We raise our hands firmly grasping the power of the Authority of Jesus Christ that has been given to us, knowing that under His authority we have already overcome!! That is so good!!
Before I close out this blog, I have to focus on one more thing. Moses got tired. We do too. Sometimes, in our praise and standing under the authority of Jesus Christ, we still grow weary and it is easy, even after all of the victory we have seen, to lower our hands and lower the authority of Christ in our lives. The answer was beautifully given to this problem in Exodus 17. It is imperative to surround ourselves with brothers and sisters in Christ who are there to support us in our weakness, as we would do likewise for them. Just like Aaron and Hur, it is our brothers and sisters in Christ, who roll a rock underneath us to support us and then they stand and fight with us. They lift their arms as they lift ours, and together, we praise. This is so good!
Dear Heavenly Father, this morning as I read Exodus 17, it is so easy to say, wow that is so good. I'm going to do that the next time I am hurting, struggling, stumbling. I am gong to lift my hands in praise and rest under the authority you have placed in my life. However, in the midst of my struggle, I often fail in this area. God I ask right now, for your strength and for you to bring this section of Scripture rushing back to my mind when I need it most. I know it is only through you, through my praise of who you are and what you are doing and by your authority that my battles are won. Thank you for being my awesome Father and for being the final authority in my life! I love you daddy God!
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