Spiritual Warfare (Exodus 17:8-13)

 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 station myself on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand." Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought against Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. So it came about when Moses held 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 (Exodus 17:8-13 NAS95).

Joshua was given the task of fighting against Amalek. The Amalekites were a treacherous people who hated Israel. They were descendants of Esau, whom God had cursed for their betrayal. Balaam said of them, And he looked at Amalek and took up his discourse and said, 'Amalek was the first of the nations, but his end shall be destruction’” (Numbers 24:20 NAS95). Joshua’s task was great, but he had help.

What task has God given you? Whatever it is, you can learn at least three things from Joshua’s victory. First, when God gives you a task to complete, He will also give you the means to accomplish it.

Moses was there to help. Not by wielding a sword, but by encouraging him and his fellow soldiers. As Moses stood above the battlefield, staff raised, the army prevailed. When fighting the spiritual battles of life, you need to be encouraged by the promises in Scripture. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. You must avail yourself of the means of Grace God has provided.

Next, iron sharpens iron. You are not in this fight alone. Moses had Aaron and Hur to hold up his arms. You have fellow believers willing to pray and encourage you. Don’t be an island.

Third, know the victory belongs to the Lord. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses (2 Corinthians 10:3-4 NAS95).

I am sure Joshua and his men were encouraged when they looked up and saw Moses holding up his staff. However, it wasn’t the staff or even Moses that gave them strength. It was what the staff represented: the power and promise of God.

Beloved, take the time to read, pray, and fellowship with God’s people. God will never give you a task to do without providing the means to accomplish it. However, you must seek out those means. Amen.