Day 11: Holding Up Moses' Arms

Read: Exodus 17:8-16

Exodus 17 | NIV Bible | YouVersion

 

God had a purpose in leading the Israelites through the desert.  For over 400 years, they had been slaves in Egypt.  They knew no other way of life.  They were used to taking orders, living in defeat, heads hanging low. But they were no longer slaves! God had brought them out of Egypt, but He still had to get Egypt out of them!

In today’s reading, the Israelites were faced with their first real challenge, and it was a doozy!  They were attacked by the Amalekites.  The Amalekites were a fierce warrior tribe of nomads who made their living by raiding settlements and carrying off stolen plunder.  They were known for their fierce cruelty.  They killed for pleasure.  These people fought for a living.  And here were the Israelites, fresh out of slavery, still living in many ways with their slave mentality, prey ripe for the picking.

God knew that before His people received their promised inheritance of Canaan, they would have to fight many battles. So Moses told Joshua to choose some men to go out and fight this band of desert pirates.  Meanwhile, he would go and stand at the top of the hill, overlooking the battle, holding the staff of God in his hand.

When Joshua and his men went out to fight, as long as Moses’ arms were outstretched toward heaven, the Israelites had the advantage, but when Moses got tired and lowered his arms, the Amalekites would surge forward again.  The battle was fierce.  After all, the Amalekites were warriors.  They would not go down without a fight.

After a while, Moses’ arms became so tired, he couldn’t hold them up anymore. Two of Israel’s leaders, Aaron, Moses’ brother, and Hur found a stone for Moses to sit on.  Then they stood on either side of Moses, holding up his hands.  They stayed there, supporting Moses’ arms all day, until the sun went down.  And the Bible tells us that as a result of Moses’ outstretched arms toward heaven, Joshua and his men overwhelmed the army of Amalek.

Moses’ outstretched arms is a picture of prayer, a symbol of his communication heavenward.

There are times in our desert season, when we need an Aaron and a Hur to come alongside us and hold us up when we don’t have the strength to do it alone.  Are you willing to admit that you need help when you feel stretched beyond your limits?

There are also times when we  can be an Aaron or a Hur to our leaders as well.  Do you realize that your spiritual leaders are only human, and remember to pray for your leaders, to support them, to encourage them, and to love on them? At times, the responsibility they bear can weigh heavily on them, dragging down their outstretched arms. We can pray for our leaders, encourage them with a kind word or act of service.  You may never know how deeply your pastor or leader needs your support.

 

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