The Essentials Of The Bible: Part 40 -- God Delivers The People – Murmuring & Victory Over Amalek

It gets exhausting just reading about the ingratitude of the Children of Israel; being there had to be so frustrating for Moses.  At every little impasse the people make the same claim:  “thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us, and our children."  This time, once again, there wasn’t any water to drink or to water their livestock, so they chided Moses.  The LORD was angry with the people for tempting Him; by saying, “Is the LORD among us or not?”  Moses goes to the LORD in prayer and the LORD tells Moses to smite a rock and where he smites it, a river will flow out of it.  The Children of Israel were then instructed to take their water needs and so go on.   The place was called Massah and Meribah; because of the chiding of the Children of Israel and because they tempted the LORD.

Exodus 17:5-7 KJV And the LORD said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go.  (6)  Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.  (7)  And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the LORD, saying, Is the LORD among us, or not? 

Then Amalek came to fight against Israel and Moses told Joshua to select men to fight and that he would go up on a high point with his staff and raise it up against Amalek.  So Joshua and his small army went into battle and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill.  While Moses raised his staff Joshua prevailed.  When he lowered his staff Amalek prevailed.  Because his arms were getting tired, they sat Moses down on a large rock; then Aaron and Hur, on each side of Moses, and they held his arms up.  The battle was given to Joshua and the LORD told Moses to write the account down and to rehearse it with Joshua.

The LORD Is Our Banner:  Jehovah Nissi

Every army that goes into battle wants to hold up high their banner, their flag.  When Moses was on the hilltop he was holding up the LORD who is the banner of Israel.  Moses held up his staff, the anointed rod of God.  When his arms got weary; Aaron and Hur held his arms up.

Exodus 17:8-16 KJV Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.  (9)  And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand.  (10)  So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.  (11)  And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.  (12)  But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.  (13)  And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.  (14)  And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.  (15)  And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi:  (16)  For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.

Support For Leadership

Aaron and Hur set an example that is for all to emulate; they supported their leader; the man placed there by God, Moses.  The leaders of our world, nation, state, county and municipality need our prayers, our respect and our support; as do our church leaders.  God places leaders.  We only see from our perspective.  God sees all.  God has plans that are greater than just our own individual lives; but they do include our individual lives.  We need to do all things prayerfully and always pray that God will lead us into what He is blessing.  Now is the time to sacrifice and live for God, seek the LORD and His Kingdom.  We will not lose out of anything.  Jesus said that ALL THINGS WILL BE ADDED UNTO US!  If we put Him first!

Matthew 6:33 KJV But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

This life now is not for us to have glory, honor, material possessions, etc.  Now is the time to grow in God’s own character; to take on the mind of Christ Jesus our LORD.  We are his and bought with a price.

Philippians 2:5 KJV Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

1 Corinthians 6:20 KJV For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

1 Corinthians 7:23 KJV Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.

TWO NATIONS OF GOD FREELY BASH LEADERS:  USA AND UK

It is not only a constitutional right in the United Sates and parliamentary right in the United Kingdom; it has become tradition and common place to bash the leaders who rule over us.  USA and UK both; pride themselves as God believing and trusting people.  In US, our currency says; “In God we trust.”  Just because the government makes it right, does not make it right before God. 

God Gives All Power

It is God who gives all power of leadership!  As a nation, we ignore this.  As God’s people, His church we are responsible to God for how well we support God’s decisions.   We need to be like Aaron and Hur; support and get behind our pastor and our church leaders.  Respecting our leaders shows respect to God.  He places all power and all leaders; both in the world and in His Church!

John 19:10-11 KJV  Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?  (11)  Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.

Daniel 2:20-21 KJV  Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:  (21)  And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:

Be Subjected to Those Who Rule And Govern:  They Are Of God

Romans 13:1-2 KJV Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.  (2)  Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

2 Peter 2:10 KJV But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

Jude 1:8 KJV Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.

The Bible is clear that we are not to disrespect leaders.  This one issue can separate us from God.  The righteous are the ones who respect and support the leaders over them.  What side do we want to be on; with God or with the world?  The choice is ours.

                                                                                                                                   

Prayer:  Loving and most merciful Heavenly Father, put a submissive heart in me; lead me to all that you are blessing.  Bless my pastors and leaders in both the church and in the world.  Help me to always give love and respect in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Copyright © 2011 Thomas C. Blake