For almost everything in life, there is more than one approach. You can do it this way or that way. Each way has its outcome. Sometimes, things can be done where the different outcomes seem almost the same, but you get completely different ones at other times. One such situation was in Exodus 17, where the Israelites fought the Amalekites. God gave Moses a job to lead His people and win the battle over the enemy. His instructions were simple. Moses was to go to the top of the mountain and hold his hands upward to God with the rod of God in his hand. When Moses was tired, he lowered his arms. What was the difference between raised and lowered hands? The result would be victory or defeat.
In Exodus 17:8-13 the Israelites were on their journey to the promised land. They were passing through Rephidim, and the Amalekites attacked. This is where God told Moses to go to the top of the hill and hold up the rod God had given him while in Egypt. It should be held toward the Heavens. Some commentators believe Moses positioned himself where the Israelites could see him and also where he could see the battle. Their leader was engaged in obedience to God to help them.
When Moses ascends to the mountain top, he takes Aaron and Hur with him. Aaron was Moses’ brother and the first high priest. Hur was another leader who helped Aaron to judge the people in Exodus 24 when Moses went up on Mount Sinai. These men were trusted men of God to assist Moses in the leadership of the people.
Exodus 17:10: “So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.”
In Exodus 17:8-13 we see Amalek warring against Israel. Joshua is the commander of the army, and he chooses men who are equipped to fight. They would fight the battle, but God would gain the victory. As long as Moses held up the rod of God, they would prevail, but when his arms became weary, and he dropped them down, the Amalekites would advance and prevail. It was obvious the battle would only be won if the rod was held toward the heavens by Moses.
Exodus 17:8-13 “Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.”
This battle went on until the sun was going down. Long before that, Moses became so tired he could not hold his arms up any longer. The only way they could survive was for Moses to obey God. What seemed an impossible task for Moses became easy when Aaron and Hur helped their leader to succeed. Aaron pulled up a big rock for Moses to sit upon, and then he and Hur began to hold Moses’ arms up. One is on the left, and one is on the right. So, what was the difference between victory and defeat? Obedience and a willingness to help. These men wanted to obey God but could only succeed if they helped each other. All three were willing to obey and use any means to fulfill God’s orders.
What can we learn from this example God left for us to read? We learn to obey whatever God says. It may not have seemed like a game plan to hold up a rod, but that is what God said to do. We are not to question God and His ways but to obey. It also teaches us to work together to accomplish God’s work. We must be willing and ready to do what it takes to win the battle against sin. We must assist our pastors and leaders to win the lost and to disciple them.
When God told Nehemiah to build the wall in Nehemiah chapter 3, it could only be done if everyone did their part. Because of Nehemiah’s obedience to God to organize the people, the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 teaches us, “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor.” In Romans 12:4-5, we are one body working together. “For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. In I Corinthians 12:26-27, we see all saved people are of the body of Christ, and we each have our part to contribute. “ And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.” Colossians 3:14 teaches us we are to be unified in love. Proverbs 27:17 teaches that we are good for one another, and we are to help each other grow to be more like Christ, as “iron sharpens iron.”
The difference in accomplishing God’s will in this world is to help one another. We must each do our part and be faithful to God’s commands.
