Dec. 6, 2013
Exodus 17-Part 4
And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovah-nassi: For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.
Exodus 17:15-16 KJV
LET IT GLOW
I think someone said, "Let it snow." instead of let it glow. Folks, I have been maintaining the burning fireplace since yesterday, during frozen ice, sleet, and snow. So I was this morning, throwing a log on the fire. Don't get me wrong, snow is a beautiful change to me. It's the cold wind that I don't like. I am thankful today for a warm house, running water, and electricity. Our generator is being fixed, so I hope our power holds on. Otherwise, our pump doesn't pump water into the house and for the cows, the blower on the fireplace/heater does not blow heat, and I am using candles.
I know, I need to hold onto God's power. He is in charge of everything. The snow is like a banner over me. His banner over me is love, as the children's song goes. Jesus' love in all around me, then.
Isn't that similar to what the Israelites have experienced in chapter 17? As long as Moses held his arms up, praising God, the Israelites were winning their battle with the Amalekites. The power of God was holding on to the end of the battle, with the Israelites holding on to Him. Joshua led Israel to victory as Moses interceded in their behalf in prayer. Aaron and Hur aided Moses by holding up his arms with the rod of God.
Moses wrote this down in this book of Exodus, he told Joshua what happened because he was on the battlefield and didn't know. What did Moses do next? He built an altar to God, Jehovah Nissi, which means Jehovah (LORD) is my Banner, for the hands were lifted up to the throne of the LORD.
Do we lift our hands and prayers to the throne of the LORD? When in need, where do we turn?
Like Moses and Joshua, we have our victory not through our own efforts, but through Christ alone (John 16:33, 5:4-5). Moses alone on the mount could not win the battle, nor could Joshua alone on the battlefield: victory required both of them. How wonderful that we have the interceding Son of God who is for us (Rom. 8:34), and the indwelling Spirit of God who is for us (Rom. 8:26), plus the inspired Word of God in our hearts! (Wiersbe)
It takes all the believers in a church to fulfill God's purpose in reaching the lost. It takes Christians mingling out in the sinful, dark world to bring the light of Jesus. It takes you and me sharing the love of Jesus with individuals for them to experience God. Do we take time to do simple acts of love for a stranger?
LET IT GROW
Verse 16b in NIV says, The LORD will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation.
The flesh will never be destroyed or eradicated in this life; Christ will give us new bodies when He returns (Phil.3:21). In 1 Samuel 15 we see that Saul's sin was in refusing to deal completely with the Amalekites; and 2 Samuel 1:6-10 informs us that it was one of the Amalekites Saul spared that killed him! Make no provision for the flesh. (Romans 13:14 NKJV) It is important that God's people cooperate with God in gaining victory over the flesh. We are told to reckon, yield, and put to death the deeds of the body in Romans 6. (Wiersbe)
Here is what Henry and Richard Blackaby have to say in their devotional book, Experiencing God Day-By-Day:
The Amalekites were the persistent and relentless enemies of the Israelites. When the Israelites sought to enter the Promised Land, the Amalekites stood in their way. Once the Israelites were in the Promised Land and seeking to enjoy what God had given them, the Amalekites joined the Midianites to torment the Hebrews in the days of Gideon (Judges 6:3). The Amalekites continually sought to hinder the progress of God's people and to rob them of God's blessing. Thus God swore His enmity against them for eternity.
As you move forward in your pilgrimage with the Lord, there will be "Amalekites" that will seek to distract and defeat you. There is nothing so precious to you that God will not be its avowed enemy if it keeps you from His will for your life. Saul did not take the Amalekites seriously enough, and it cost him his life.
So we haven't heard the last of these people (Amalekites). They don't give up easily.
Saul's disobedience in sparing Agag resulted in king Saul loosing his throne and life. The prophet Samuel killed Agag. A few years later, the remnant of the Amalekites raided Israel's southern territory, even capturing David's family. David killed 400 of those who escaped. Haman became a descendant of Agag, who tried to exterminate the Jew later in Easter's day. (MacArthur)
Are we on guard against our Amalekites? Remember, the Lord is our banner. I think of a banner leading a parade, a flag leading a country or group into battle. Jesus can be our strength as we face our enemies, trials, troubles. In fact, He can be our victorious leader, our banner.
LET IT GO
Turn to God; let Him fight our battles.
Submit my weak flesh to God.
Hold onto Jesus.
Proclaim that Jesus is the Savior, Messiah, Redeemer of our soul.
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