EXODUS 17
8 Then Amalek came and fought with Israel at Rephidim. 9 So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose for us men, and go out and fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” 10 So Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought with Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11 Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. 12 But Moses’ hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So, his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. 13 And Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the sword.14 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this as a memorial in a book and recite it in the ears of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.” 15 And Moses built an altar and called the name of it, The Lord Is My Banner, 16 saying, “A hand upon the throne of the Lord! The Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.” – Exodus 17:8-16
EXODUS 17 JOSHUA TAKES AMALEK DOWN
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
When the Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim
Moses told Joshua to form an army to fight with them
Each time Moses raised his hands, Joshua won the fight
But every time his hands were down, they would be defeated
His hands grew tired and Aaron and Hur held it up on each side
Later, they put a stone so it won’t fall down to ensure their win
Joshua overtook the Amalekites and they were obliterated
The Lord instructed his people to write this in their memorial book.
In this account, we witness once again the Lord’s blessing and favor over his people. The Lord instructed Moses to form an army and Joshua will lead them. When the Amalekites attacked the Israelites, they were ready to defend themselves. God ensured victory to his people through the visual raising of Moses’ hands. Moses built an altar and called it “The Lord is my Banner,” as a memorial for this event.
REFLECTION
- Share a time in your life when God blessed you with triumph over evil.
