Exodus 17 - 4.29.24

Scripture

‭Exodus‬ ‭17‬:‭10‬-‭12‬ ‭NLT

”So Joshua did what Moses had commanded and fought the army of Amalek. Meanwhile, Moses, Aaron, and Hur climbed to the top of a nearby hill. As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage. Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset.“

‬‬

Observation

While the Israelites were at a place called Rephidim, they were attacked by some warriors of Amalek. Moses then instructs Joshua to go and assemble some men to fight the warriors of Amalek. While the battle was being fought, Moses, Aaron, and Hur found a nearby hill to climb. It was on top of this hill that Moses was holding the staff of God in his hands. And whenever Moses raised the staff, the Israelites were winning the battle. But whenever Moses’ arms grew tired, and his hands began to drop, the Amalekites would start winning. Aaron and Hur noticing this, then found a stone for Moses to sit and rest on, and they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands during the battle. Needless to say, the Israelites overwhelmed the Amalekites and defeated them in battle.

Application

Teamwork makes the dream work.

Imagine if Moses, at his ripe old age, tried going out there on the battlefield that day to fight the Amalekites. 🤔 I mean, sure he had the staff of God with him, but those Amalekite warriors could have easily overpowered him and either knocked the staff out of his hands, or even straight up took the staff from him. Then what?!

But Moses, being the great leader of the Israelites that he was, knew he needed help…help from God, and help from other people. He picked a strong young man like Joshua to assemble an army of warriors to fight the Amalekites. He needed Aaron to help him speak to the people of Israel because he had a stuttering problem and hated public speaking. (I can relate with Moses on that one 😆.) And on the battlefield that day, the Israelites needed a total team effort if they were to be victorious against the Amalekites. They needed Joshua and his army to go out there and actually do the fighting. They needed Moses to go on top of that hill to raise the staff of God. And Moses needed help from Aaron and Hur to keep his hands raised until victory was given to the Israelites.

Could God have given the Israelites victory over the Amalekites that day all by Himself? Of course He could have! But more times than not, God requires a partnership/relationship in our lives in order to accomplish His mission. Not only do we need a strong partnership/relationship with Him, but we need a strong partnership/relationship with other believers if we are to fulfill God’s mission. No man is an island. We’re not meant to be like Rambo out there, facing life alone. God designed each of us for relationship and community with Himself, and with others. God has blessed each of us with our individual strengths and talents. We are to use these gifts to build one another up in the faith, to encourage and pray for one another, and to help lighten the load of ministry work for each other. It’s like the saying goes, “many hands make light work.”

So let me encourage everyone out there reading this to be part of the team…God’s team. We have a mission to Love God, Love People, Make Disciples. So if you are not part of serving in ministry at church, what are you waiting for?! Be part of something bigger than ourselves! Let’s use the gifts and talents that God has given us to come together, and have God’s will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven.

”Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.“

‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭4‬:‭9‬-‭12‬

Prayer

”He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”“-Matthew‬ ‭9‬:‭37‬-‭38‬ ‭

Father God, thank You for entrusting me to partner with You on this very important mission of seeing people come to know Jesus. Forgive me for not being more purposeful about it sometimes. Thank You for the people You surround me with at DSC, people who are like-minded in fulfilling Your will. I pray for continued strength and boldness of our faith to carry on this work You have given us. But I especially pray for more workers to help join us in these mission fields. May You instill in people’s hearts who aren’t serving in ministry yet, a desire to serve You and to serve others. May we come together in harmony to accomplish the mission that You have set out for us. May we be encouraged by one another. May it help lighten the load for those who are carrying more than their share. I thank You in advance for You provision. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. 🙏🏽

-Moses Gaddi