September 3rd, 2014
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Fighting for Survival

Please see the links to our EXTRA Bible Study notes at the bottom of the page.

Opening Prayer

Lord, at times I can be overcome when I think of You: Amazing love, startling truth, dynamic power. God, have mercy upon me.

Read Exodus 17:1-16

[1] The whole Israelite community set out from the Desert of Sin, traveling from place to place as the LORD commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. [2] So they quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.” Moses replied, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the LORD to the test?” [3] But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?” [4] Then Moses cried out to the LORD, “What am I to do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me.” [5] The LORD answered Moses, “Go out in front of the people. Take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. [6] I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink.” So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel. [7] And he called the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled and because they tested the LORD saying, “Is the LORD among us or not?” [8] The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. [9] Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.” [10] So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. [11] As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. [12] When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up-one on one side, one on the other-so that his hands remained steady till sunset. [13] So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword. [14] Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it, because I will completely blot out the name of Amalek from under heaven.” [15] Moses built an altar and called it The LORD is my Banner. [16] He said, “Because hands were lifted up against the throne of the LORD, the LORD will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation.”

Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Meditate

Fear or faith? It is a choice we all face. What will control your life today?

Think Further

There would be no honeymoon period for God’s people. They faced life-threatening challenges from various directions. First, lack of water in the desert produced fear and panic, expressed in their anger at Moses and more indirectly against the Lord. The Exodus events are forgotten when they are faced by clear and present danger, and old prejudices resurface against Moses’ leadership. The mood is turning ugly, and mob rule is not far below the surface. However, Moses has learned to trust God and, in blunt terms, he takes the problem to God. Something needs to be done, and quickly. God responds by identifying the underlying problem as one of trust as much as of thirst. Moses, given instructions, obeys, and the results are simple and spectacular. However, if doubt is our default position, then the road ahead promises to be long and hard.

Danger then comes from another direction, as the Amelekites seek to pick off the weak and defenseless. A new strategy is needed. The first priority is prayer, and this responsibility falls on Moses. Alongside this comes action, and for the first time we are introduced to Joshua. He is identified as the one who has the necessary leadership, discipline and tactics to wage a successful campaign, not for the last time!

It becomes clear that more than an earthly battle is being fought. The outcome is affected directly by the prayer support. As Joshua needs the help of Moses’ prayers, so Moses needs the support of Aaron and Ur. When all of this is put together, instead of an indecisive tussle, a decisive shift takes place and victory is secured. Each played their part, and all was recorded on a scroll and marked by an altar. War between good and evil had been declared, and the Lord had shown his power to save the side that depended on him.

Apply

What do you think is the significance of Moses’ raised hands? When have you needed your faith propped up by someone else? What battle has God won in your life lately?

Closing prayer

Jehovah Nissi – the Lord is my Banner. I ask for confidence in the events of the day, knowing that You are going before me. I rally at Your Standard leading me on.

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