(This article reflects the viewpoints of another and does not necessarily reflect the understanding of Qumran Bet Community or AmYHWH. Perhaps truth would be better served if you added your contribution to this piece.)
WINNING
A WAR …..
ETERNAL’S WAY
Exodus
17:8-13 Amalek came and fought with Israel at Rephidim. Moses said to Joshua,
“Pick some men for us, and go out and do battle with Amalek. Tomorrow I will
station myself at the top of the hill, with the rod of ETERNAL in my hand.”
Joshua did as Moses told him and fought with Amalek, while Moses, Aaron and
Hur went up to the top of the hill. Then, whenever Moses held up his hand,
Israel prevailed; but whenever he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But
Moses’ hands grew heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him and he
sat on it, while Aaron and Hur, one on each side, supported his hands; thus
his hands remained steady until the sun set. And Joshua overwhelmed the people
of Amalek with the sword.
ETERNAL
does acknowledge that there will be war. There are opposing forces that cannot
exist together, however, He has made it very clear how we [if we intend to be
obedient and therefore successful] are to go about it.
The
passage from the Tanakh, quoted above, explains a simple recipe that ETERNAL
gives us if we are to be victors in a war that has a righteous cause.
The
first event was that Israel came under attack from Amalek [the forces of
evil]. Joshua was told to pick some men for us. That is, men who are obedient
and ready to represent ETERNAL and His people. Joshua was not told to pick the
most aggressive, or the baddest, or the ones with the best weapons. Moses, the
leader, would supervise the whole event from the top of the hill and be in
prayer to ETERNAL.
While
Moses could maintain the prayer position, with his arms raised, ETERNAL
allowed Israel to gain the ascendancy. When he tired and stopped praying,
Amalek would prevail. It was only when Aaron and Hur stepped in to help Moses
that victory was gained.
What
are the lessons for us? The
war was between two opposing groups that could offer no compromise. Good and
evil must always be in opposition. The true faith of ETERNAL will always be
opposed to false religions. In this Exodus story, the people chosen by
ETERNAL, were on their path when the evil force attacked them. Because the
chosen people were united, they had a common purpose and destination there was
no dispute about the next step that had to be taken. In this context there is
no place for a protest movement.
They
chose people to fight for them. People of faith. Obedient to ETERNAL. People
of conviction. People who understood that their ETERNAL given faith and
lifestyle had to be defended with everything they had. The people going to do
the fighting knew that their leader could be trusted to do the most valuable
thing to support them – pray constantly.
The
small leadership group knew that their leader was the right person to have
that position and they had to do whatever it takes to support him because to
support the leader is to be obedient to ETERNAL.
In
spite of all this, the moment Moses’ prayer stopped due to tiredness, the
forces of Amalek gained the upper hand. We have to be constant in prayer.
Constantly vigilant or the forces of evil will act against you.
The
people ETERNAL calls to this walk are different. Your prayer, your obedience,
your study of the Tanakh, will permit ETERNAL to make changes in your life.
Will you be a person ETERNAL can choose to fight for Him? By your actions,
your prayers or your support?
Expect
to be called at any time.
Ken
Graydon