Win that battle!

This is a post I wrote on August 25, 2011.. I thought is was worth repeating.

~ 8 While the people of Israel were still at Rephidim, the warriors of Amalek attacked them. 9 Moses commanded Joshua, “Choose some men to go out and fight the army of Amalek for us. Tomorrow, I will stand at the top of the hill, holding the staff of God in my hand.”

10 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. 11 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. 12 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. 13 As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle. Exodus 17:8-13~

This is a story of triumph, but most of all a story of those who were willing to lay down their own agenda and work together.

It gets straight and to the point when the chapter begins.  The Israelites where in trouble, Moses wasted no time deliberating, instead he took action.  It says nowhere in the chapter about Moses contemplating what to do either, he just knew.  In the past the staff he was given gave him victory over many things.  It was what God used to convince the Egyptians to let the Israelite’s go, and just in the previous chapter all he did was strike a rock and water flowed from it.  So Moses didn’t even think twice, there was a battle ahead of them, he grabbed the staff and held it up as Joshua and some of the men went to fight.  By the way, does it mention Joshua second-guessing Moses? Nope.  Joshua just went right out and did what he was told.  Then we read of Moses dropping his hand and that led to the Amalekites gaining the advantage… so Moses must have just been like, “Oh well, I tried.” Right?  Of course not!  In that moment Aaron and Hur put two and two together and realized that Moses needed to keep that staff held up if they were going to win the battle!  So not only did they stand by him, but they first gave him a stone to sit on, a place of rest!  Then they stood on each side of him and held up his hands together.

What an emotionally empowering moment.  Imagine a time in your life when you knew something had to be done, but was unable to go through it alone… now imagine you have not one but two amazing people willing to stay with you through it, giving you rest, and encouragement until it was done!  Now there are a handful of people this story names, and each one of them had to give something up in order to do what was required of them.  Joshua and his men had to drop what they were doing and go fight a battle, one that lasted ALL DAY. And it sounds like this battle was a see-saw.  Then there was Moses, having to stand at the top of a hill and hold up a staff.  You try holding up your arm for a few minutes, before long you’re gonna get tired!  But Moses had to do it until the sun went down.  So along come Aaron and Hur.  They both know the situation and step up to help their leader because they knew he needed it.

We are all called to something, whether it’s being the Moses who has the staff to hold up, or Joshua who goes forward into battle, or Aaron and Hur who simply stood by the side of their leader when he needed it most.  They each played a part, and they were successful because not one second-guessed the need.  They all stepped up and did what needed doing.

If there is something you are facing, don’t go at it alone.  Find someone to help you through!  And if you know of someone who’s facing a battle and they need help, don’t hesitate!  Go help them, because when it’s your turn to face the battle they will remember how you helped them.  Life is a battle, are you doing whatever it takes to win?