Exodus 17
Together in the Fight
As we continue our verse-by-verse study of Exodus, we follow the Israelites as they journey through the wilderness. This chapter’s themes include the importance of faith, God’s provision, and the human tendency to complain during difficult times.
Embracing the Wilderness
Ever wonder why life’s challenging moments often shape us the most? Exodus 17 shows us how the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness was not just about hardship but about faith and God’s provision. Despite witnessing miracles, the Israelites struggled with doubt and complaints – a pattern many of us can relate to. I want to remind you that our trials, whether they come from hunger, thirst, or other challenges, are opportunities to trust in God’s daily provision. Let’s embrace these life lessons and trust God’s plan, even in our wilderness moments.
The Danger of Complaining
Complaining can be more harmful than we realize. The Israelites’ constant murmuring in the wilderness wasn’t just annoying – it was sinful and hindered their spiritual growth. It is easy for us to see this in the lives of the Israelites, but often much more challenging for us to recognize in our own lives. Complaints often reflect a lack of trust in God’s plan and provision. Instead of focusing on what we lack, let’s cultivate hearts of gratitude. When we approach God with thanksgiving, His peace guards our hearts and minds.
Spiritual Battles and Vigilance
Ever feel like you’re constantly battling something? There is always a fight after victory. Great progress always brings great resistance. Here, in chapter 17 of Exodus, we see the battle between the Israelites and the Amalekites. This battle signifies the ongoing struggle against the flesh and spiritual enemies. Even in times of blessing, we must stay vigilant. Listen, we are always stronger when we are close to the Lord. The Israelites’ victory came through prayer and reliance on God, not just physical strength. We need to remain steadfast in our faith, especially during challenges. Our spiritual warfare will never stop. The enemy will never give up. But victory comes through the Lord when we stand together.
The Power of Community Support
Did you know that even Moses needed a bit of help? As Israel fought against Amalek, Moses’ arms grew weary, holding up the rod of God. Aaron and Hur stepped in, supporting his arms to ensure victory. This powerful image reminds us of the best way to fight. We’re not meant to fight alone. How did victory come? Together! Moses, the leader, knew what to do and gave direction. Aaron and Hur served Moses by doing what was necessary. Joshua did his part and followed Moses’ direction. God used all of these human vessels, who were like-minded, serving together, to bring a great victory. And all the people enjoy the blessing. We can achieve great things together by holding each other up in prayer and encouragement. Let’s be there for our leaders and one another!
A Personal Invitation to Renew Your Commitment
Are you feeling weary or burdened? I want to invite you to lay down your burdens at Jesus’ feet. He reminds us that Jesus is knocking on the door of our hearts, longing for a personal relationship with each one of us. It’s never about religion – it’s about a divine connection. If you’re seeking a fresh start or a deeper relationship with God, take a moment to reflect and pray. God’s grace is always available, and transformation begins with a simple step of faith.
Let’s remember that the best way to fight is together. We are stronger when we stand united, supporting one another in prayer and love. Let’s strive to live a life that honors God, forsake sin, and embrace a life of love and good works.
Full Unedited Transcription
Welcome to the Study of God’s Word with pastor and author Ed Taylor, recorded live at Calvary Church in Aurora, Colorado. To learn more about the many resources available through Abounding Grace media or to tune in to our live stream services, visit us online at Calvary Coat Church or download our free Calvary Church app. Now, here’s Pastor Ed to lead us in our study.
Amen. Open your Bibles with you to Exodus chapter 17. I’ve entitled our Bible Study Together in the Fight Together in the fight. The nation of Israel at this point in their lives, are in the middle of the greatest thing really to ever happen to them. They were delivered from Egypt, from bondage, from slavery. Not only that, their deliverance was an answer to their prayers. The deliverance was an answer to prayer. They were crying out to God, remember? And God said, I’ve heard your cries. And he sent Moses the deliverer, who was perfectly trained. And isn’t that your heart? Like you’re just thinking. I’d like to be perfectly trained.
I’d like to be prepared. But you remember Moses a half of or a third of his life. But up to this point, a half of his life before was training in the wilderness. And you’re like, well, you know, if the school is the wilderness, maybe I don’t want to be trained so much. I’d rather read a book or get us, you know, some mp3’s or watch something on YouTube. That’s I’ll be trained that way. But life’s experiences are training us. And for 40 years of his life, he was on the backside of the desert, in obscurity, in a position and a place I’m sure he didn’t expect. And God was using that. The children of Israel receive what they asked for dramatically, powerfully Delivered. But even the good things in life, which is where they are, even the good things in life. Deliverance. Powerful, dramatic, everything you’ve ever wanted, even the good things in life, will draw out from us the realities of our hearts. You know, it’s easy to say and we see this to be true.
It’s easy to say that trials reveal difficulties show up. They, you know, they reveal in us what was really there. Like, you might be going through something and you’re just so angry. And then you’re like, well, I wouldn’t be angry if it wasn’t for this trial. But the anger has been in you for a long time. It’s the trial that’s drawn it out. But it’s not just trials and difficulty. Good things are also used by God to reveal. And this good thing for the nation here was hard and arduous and difficult. They suffered from hunger And thirst, discomfort, tiredness and yes, complaining and murmuring. They’re experiencing the miraculous. But remember, we don’t live by the dazzling movement of miracles. We live by faith. Simple faith. Amen. Trusting God day by day. So notice with me is the testing continues. Verse one, chapter 17. Then all the congregation of the children of Israel set out on their journey from the wilderness of sin according to the commandment of the Lord encamped in them.
But there was say with me, there was no water for the people to drink. A major part of the wilderness experience the wanderings was testing. First it was no food. And what did God do? He gave him manna, faithful food with all the needed nutrients to keep their bodies strong, God graciously provided. Now it’s another test, the test of thirst. These are real things. These are basic things. These are not like luxuries. Food and water are basic and essential to life. And here they are tested again with thirst. And we stopped in verse one so we could think, hey, surely they’ve learned they’ve got manna in their teeth. You know, they didn’t floss, they got manna between their teeth and the faithfulness of God on their hearts. Surely they’ll learn. Surely it’s they’re going to turn to the Lord right away. They know he’s going to provide. As with the waters of Marah, you’ll remember this isn’t the first test with water. They were at the waters of Mara.
What does Marah mean? But bitterness and God was dealing with them. He came through there from the waters of Mara. Where did they go? They went to Elam, where the city of palms. The wells of water were there and the shade of the palms. They have man of breath from his supply. Surely they’re going to trust him here. And isn’t that the story of our lives from time to time? I mean, you you look at your life at any amount of time, both as a believer, even as an unbeliever. How good and gracious and caring. I mean, for those of us that got saved a little later in life and maybe lived, you know, some rough, stupid, sinful decisions. I think back of how many times God literally spared my life, of what I got myself involved in and the choices that I made. He spared my life. He provided, you know, when I really I don’t know that I would have voiced this, but the Bible says that I lived a life of animosity, enmity toward God.
That’s the position for anyone listening to me right now that are not in a right relationship with God. You are literally an enemy of God. And while you may not be able to articulate that or even choose those words, I’m going to help you along the way because it’s an important for you to understand the posture that you’ve taken toward God, who’s been gracious to you. I mean, even if we never got anything, ever, we we receive life. And that day by day, you don’t need to worry about your heart beating. God’s taken care of that for you. You don’t need to worry about breathing. That even if you held your breath right now, you would pass out. You would pass out. You hold your breath, and I’m just going to hold my breath, and you’re going to pass out so that your your mind can shut down and you can start breathing. You’ll start breathing it again. God is so gracious to you. Oh, I know the life has been hard and difficult, but you have to understand, the difficulty of life is because of the failure of sin.
Sin is the source and the root of the pain that you experience. It’s because of man’s rebellion against God. Not only have we experienced the pain of sin, but some of us have inflicted pain in people’s lives because of our own sin. Sin is devastating and God has given a remedy for sin and your enormity. He sent His Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross, to shed his innocent blood, so that by faith in him the work of your salvation is complete. All you need to do. Really, God is inviting you even now. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, that you would trust him with your life. You go, I don’t know. I don’t know about that kind of belief, pastor. I don’t know. I don’t know that I could really live that kind of belief. Listen, you live by faith in so many different ways in your life right now. Did you know that? How many of you, by way of hands. And of course, if you’re online or radio, drove or were driven to church tonight, how many? Yeah, most.
And you know, some of you walked, you had the same thing. So you drove. I want you to understand something. You drove here with a tremendous amount of faith, amazing amount of faith. And this is one of the I mean, I’m sure there’s layers of it, but let me just give you one. I don’t want to freak you out for the rest of your life, but you got to hear this, okay? You drove here believing that the other person that was going 40 miles an hour on the other, on the other side of the road in his car, and you were coming on this side of the road 40 miles an hour in your car. Can you imagine the collision that would take place 40 miles an hour at each other? You drove here by faith that the double yellow lines down the middle of the asphalt mean the same thing to the anonymous drivers that they do to you. You don’t ever think about that. You don’t walk. I hope they believe. I hope they believe, I hope they believe.
I hope to believe it is a part. It’s so much a part of you. You don’t even think about it anymore. And that’s God’s will for you that relate to him, that you believe in him so much that it’s not even a thought anymore because you know the Lord. Amen. You know him personally because of the provision of forgiveness, his graciousness. Because if he was gracious and he was to all of us when we rebelled against them, you know, the Bible says, how much more now in Christ in relationship, surely water, palm trees, manna, deliverance, faithfulness, a leader provided out of nowhere. Surely the children of Israel have learned just like you, right? All of you have learned so well and become so mature with all your experiences. Well. Verse two. Therefore the people contended with Moses and said, give us water that we may drink. And Moses said to them, why do you contend with me? Why do you tempt the Lord? And the people thirsted there for water.
And the people murmured against Moses and said, why is it that you have brought us up out of Egypt to kill us and our children, and our livestock with thirst? Same song, different tune, complaining and murmuring? And again, I’ve mentioned this in previous studies, but it’s good to be reminded those of you in spiritual leadership because of your proximity to people that are dealing with deep issues in their life. You will often be the one they’re most upset with when you really haven’t done anything but represent God well. You’re like, man, why are you mad at me? And whether it’s spoken or not, they should just say, because you’re the one in front of me. That’s why it’s your fault. And ultimately, when we murmur and complain about the circumstances of our lives in a real way, we’re murmuring and complaining against God who’s allowed them. And that’s what they’re doing here. But Moses gets the full brunt of it. And here’s their problem when it comes to Moses. And here’s our problem if we’re looking to human leadership, God, even God’s appointed leaders, even good spirit.
Again, I want to be clear. I’m not talking about abusive leadership or like sinful leadership or I’m just talking about like, God, good godly men and women that God has given us imperfect, but really love the Lord leading us. But we get upset with them or we take it out on them or whatever. Here’s the thing. Their problem was the same problem we see today within the body of Christ, and is that they expect from a human leader only what God can provide. They expect from a human leader, only what God can provide, which is often a real difficulty within the church because you’re going through a trial difficulty. You make an appointment with the pastor, you want to sit down, and all the pastors trying to do is get your eyes on the Lord. Get your eyes on the Lord, get your eyes on the Lord, and you get so mad at them as if you don’t understand. I need this and I want you to do this. I know you don’t understand that and was like, no man, we just need to pray.
No, it’s not enough. All right, well, what do you need? I need water. And then the pastor gives you water. Now what? And I need. And before you know it, you’re complaining against things that you want your marriage saved. No pastor is going to save your marriage. Jesus can. Amen. You want help with your anger? No pastor is going to be able to solve your anger problem, but the Lord can. You’re living a loveless life, or you feel like you just don’t love anyone. You’re upset with people. No pastor is going to be able to solve that problem, but the Lord can to get your eyes back on the Lord. Moses, what’s your problem? I can’t believe it. There’s millions of us and you’ve got no water for us? No. How is Moses supposed to come up with this water? It remember, as David was tending the sheep, maybe beginning to think about his own needs and his own struggles and his own issues, his own fears, his own anxieties.
He begins to write what’s on his heart. You remember what he wrote. The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want. That’s the place of safety and security, remembering that the Lord is our Shepherd. And that’s the choice. When we choose to lean or trust on man’s abilities, then we are limited by what man can do. I mean, maybe sit down with the pastor to give you good advice, but we can’t do it for you. We might show you a scripture, but we can’t read it for you. You know, we might even get you out of a little bind. Maybe you need a little help here and there, and we can help you, but we can’t get you all the next one or the next. We can’t help you with the fundamental, foundational issues that are related to your disconnected life with God. Only you can do that. Only you can. So we can lean on man’s abilities looking to man, or we can lean and trust on God and His omnipotence for us.
And knowing that he. You see, God has ways that you and I don’t know anything about. He has resources that you and I don’t know anything about. He has knowledge about our lives that you and I don’t know anything about. He has a purpose and a plan that’s being revealed. And up to this point, he’s revealed to us where we are. But he has plans up ahead that we know nothing about. He has people he wants to reach through your life and situation that we know nothing about. I just want you to pause for a second. Just come back to the text real briefly and just think about this. Do you think for a second millisecond that the complaining, murmuring nation of Israel here thinks, you know what, my story is really going to bless people 5000 years from now? I don’t think they’re thinking that at all. You know what I think they’re thinking? Where’s my water? I mean, what’s going on, Moses? You’re a lousy leader. Because here we are again.
We should have stayed in Egypt. You’re a lousy man. We don’t want to follow. You’re going to kill our kid. I mean, that’s where they’re at. But what do we see now with 20, 20 eyes? We’re just like you and I. Like we can look back a few times in our own lives and see. Oh, I remember that trial. I remember that child like it was yesterday. And now I can see what I didn’t see in the trial. God had 52 people he wanted to reach. And I pray for them my name every day. Or, you know, three people. Or he had a situation. He wanted to reveal my heart. I didn’t even know that was in my heart. See, God has ways and things and people and places. He has solutions. He has strength. He has hope. He has peace tucked away that no man could ever provide for you or woman by that no human being can provide to you what only God can. And I don’t want to develop this, but it’s important that I say it out loud just so you hear it and receive it and take it to the Lord.
You ready? Complaining is a sin. The Bible tells us to do all things without murmuring and complaining. So complaining is a sin. Philippians chapter two. And it’s just one of those areas that you want to crucify before the Lord, because it’s counterproductive to your spiritual growth. Next time you feel like complaining that God isn’t fair, he doesn’t bless. Just remember how good God has been. Be careful lest you ever say to God, give me what I deserve. Tell us first so we could step back a few steps just so like, never asked for that. Instead, come to the Lord with thanksgiving. Be anxious for nothing. But in all things, by prayer and supplication. We always forget this when we quote that verse with thanksgiving. Make your request be made known to God. And what the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds is not where the spiritual warfare is. Spiritual warfare is always at the emotions and always at the beliefs, the mind and the heart, emotions and our thinking.
That’s where it all takes place, because that’s where our emotions mess with. Our beliefs and bad beliefs lead to what bad behavior? And what’s the Bible word for bad behavior? Sin. And that’s the warfare. It’s not as complicated as it seems as you sort it all out. They complain, but I think there’s a good chance, you know, we don’t want to be too judgmental of them because we complain and put ourselves in this situation. We may have been caught up in it as well that the Lord would deliver us. Verse four. So Moses cried out to the Lord, that was a good choice, saying, what shall I do with these people? They’re almost ready to stone me. And the Lord said to Moses, wipe them out. No, he didn’t, he didn’t. Or some pastors listening. What did the Lord. They’re going to. What are you going to do with these people? And some pastors think, well, you just go to another church. No, there’s people there too, and people there too.
Notice his answer. Go before the people. Verse five. Take with you some of the elders. Take in your hand a rod which you struck the river, and go, behold, I’ll stand before you there at the rock Horeb, and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. And so he called the name of the place Massah and Maraba, because of the contention of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the Lord, saying, is the Lord among us or not? So he takes some of the leaders that were with him, the elders of the tribe, so that they might see the glorious hand of God. They get to witness this. Take this rod which launches an instrument of judgment and strike the rock. The rod of judgment now becomes a symbol of provision and mercy. And you can jot these down if you’d like. The rock is often a picture and symbol of God himself.
Deuteronomy chapter 32, verse four. Psalm 28, verse one. Psalm 62, verse two A rock strong, stable, the rock durable in the midst and the cleft of the rock their safety. And this one is a picture of Jesus himself. They drink in first Corinthians chapter ten, verse four. They drank of that spiritual rock that followed them. That rock was Christ. Out of the rock came forth water. It refreshed the people. Jesus said in John seven verse 38, he who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. And we read through very quickly, and there’s great provision. God provides. Moses obeys, which you guys that are Bible students know that this will this scenario will come up again. But Moses will respond in anger and because of his anger, a man with all these years of faithfulness. UPS and downs. A man that’s described in the Bible is the one that’s most humble. A true, humble man. I don’t believe he was bragging because of his anger.
He doesn’t enter into the Promised Land. And on one of our trips to Israel, we were in Jordan looking at standing up on Mount Nebo. Looking over the haze, we couldn’t see it clearly, but the hazy promised land in a similar place that Moses would have looked to see the land but never go in. I just think about my own life in a practical way. All that God has promised me, I don’t want to be in a position to stand and look at it, but never get it. Like to come thus far? I was just speaking with the men today. We were talking about ministry. Our pastors in particular in our personal pastors meeting that we have, and we’re just talking about being used to the Lord and what a blessing it is and what a season of ministry. And it’s just so good. And I looked at him at the end and I was like, okay, men, please don’t disqualify yourselves because then you won’t be able to enjoy this. We won’t if we choose.
Like obviously stay away from the sin that will knock you out, man. Stay away and pray against temptation. Please don’t disqualify yourselves because then you won’t be able to enjoy this. You won’t be able to enjoy not only what’s happening now, but what God has. And I say that to you as my brothers and sisters in the Lord. Please do not disqualify yourself from enjoying the blessings of God. Don’t live a hypocritical life. Don’t dabble in sin that will defile you. Don’t steal. Don’t lie. Don’t commit adultery. Don’t commit. Don’t flirt. Don’t get involved with pornography. Don’t I beg you. These are the days for strong believers, committed believers, humble believers, repentant believers, believers that stand strong by the grace of God. And we want to enjoy these last days. We don’t want to watch them pass us by. We don’t want to get all bitter and angry and caught up in things like, oh, you know, like there’s there are a lot of bitter Christians today, you know, a lot of upset.
You know, it’s like, they’re all all you hear from them. And they I don’t like this. I don’t like that. I mean, what do you like. And I’ll tell you, if they were honest, this is what they say. I like myself, myself. That’s it. I like myself, I like everything about me. I’m the perfect one and everyone else is a failure. But they’re disqualified. What good are they? Bring in the body of Christ. What good and what fruit are the spirits being displayed? Love. Joy. Peace. Patience. Kindness. Goodness. Gentleness. Faithfulness. Self-control. I’ll tell you what most people, if they you know, again, maybe I’m speaking to someone directly and and you just got to understand, one thing you’re going to find out with that kind of attitude is that people will depart from you. They don’t want to be around that. They go, no, no, no, I got a lot of new friends I know. Let me correct her.
She got a lot of new bitter friends because now you have something in common. But you’re far from the Lord. He has so much for you. If you just come to him. Don’t disqualify yourself, church. Begin to pray about those temptations. Don’t ignore them. Shut down anything that might be leading you away. Ask for a brother or sister to stand in the gap with you for prayer. Live in your fresh new identity in Christ. Learn who you are in Christ and all that he’s done. One of the attributes. Let me just say, one of the attributes that you and I have in Christ is that we are new creations. All things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new and you can live in the newness of life. Put off I was just reading recently in my divorce. Put off the old man like an old dirty piece of garments, you know, shirt or pants and put on the new man and live in the newness of life now. Great victory. They get the water.
Guess what happens after victory? There’s a fight. Great progress always brings great resistance. Notice verse eight. Now Amalek. So they just pause here. And when you’re reading the Bible, you go, what do you mean now? When is now? That’s a time word. When is now after the great provision of God, after the blessing of God, after they are completely that a rock is giving them water. They are tasting of the living water that’s to come in a new covenant. They are rejoicing. And maybe some of them are. I’m so sorry, Moses. What’s our problem? You know, like it is. It’s a fresh cleansing of the people inside and out. Water is there that it’s over. The complaining is over whether they repented or not. You know how that goes when you know when you’re brought to the place where you see your own folly, you either say it out loud or you feel it inside, but you recognize that you were in the wrong and the nation is like, yes, that’s now the time of great blessing of God, the provision of God.
Amalek, which is a type of the flesh. A two people group came and fought with Israel in roughing him. There’s always a fight in the midst of the blessing of God. There’s always a fight to steal your joy and to diminish your faith. And Moses, verse nine said to Joshua, choose us some men, and go out. Fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I’ll stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand. And mark these phrases. This is the best thing for us to learn how to do the best. Obedience, immediate obedience. So Joshua did as Moses said to him, fought with Amalek. Verse ten. And Moses, Aaron and her went up to the top of the hill. And so it was when Moses held up his hand that Israel prevailed. And when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses hands became heavy. So they took a stone and put it under him. And he sat on it. And Aaron and her supported his hands one on one side, the other on the other side, and his hands were steady until the going down to the sun.
So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword, and there is victory once again. Amalek. The Amalekites, they are descendants of Esau, Edomites, the arch enemies of Israel. And this attack comes so very quickly after they responded by faith and received the provision of God. And there’s a battle going on there. The Amalek, the Amalekites, the Amalekites were also known as going after the weak ones. The weak ones hold your places here. Your sins were so close. Turn over to Deuteronomy chapter 25. I want to show you this and our final minutes. There’s so much, so much in this text, but I do want to give you some of it. Deuteronomy chapter 25. Notice in verse 17. The Amalekites were known to attack from behind. Notice, remember verse 17. Chapter 25. What Amalek did to you on the way, as you were coming out of Egypt, he met you on the way and attacked your rear ranks, all the stragglers at your rear.
When you were tired, weary, and did not fear God. Again, with so much I don’t. I’m not going to spend some time developing it, but mark this and meditate on it. Here are places that make you and me vulnerable, not even necessarily sin. Like, for example, when you’re tired, watch out when you’re weary, watch out. That’s why God gives us the pattern, doesn’t he? Six days you work. Seventh day you rest. That’s an important pattern. And we even have the privilege in our work relationships. five days to some of you have a different schedule, but you want to value those days off and rest. Rest mentally, physically, emotionally tired and weary. Another thing notice they were stragglers. Stragglers. Now you know it may be a place where you know you’re not pressing into the things of God. You’re not really too serious. I mean, I think here on a midweek study or you’re listening to the radio, that kind of speaks to your desire to press in.
But there are those within our fellowship family. There are those in our families. There are those in the broader body of Christ that aren’t pressing in. And they make themselves vulnerable. They’re vulnerable. Again, it doesn’t necessarily need to be sinful, just kind of, you know, coasting and not really, really, you know, I’m living off pastoring like it can be becomes sinful. But you got to understand, right? When there’s provision and right when there’s blessing and when your faith is being built up, you want to make sure you’re not tired, you’re not weary, and you’re not lagging behind because that’s where the enemy is going to go first. It’s a spiritual parallel that those who lag behind are the first ones that get hit. And I have found over the years that the real target is on you and on me to take us out. But when that isn’t successful, when you and I are able to stand strong, the enemy will go after those that are closest to you. Those that you love.
Those that you care about. Because he’s nasty. The devil. He doesn’t care about us. He doesn’t care about our families, our singleness, our kids, our grandkids, our marriages. He doesn’t care. And so it doesn’t make sense, does it, church for you not to care. It doesn’t make sense for you and I not to pay attention to our families and to our kids, and to our church, and to our brothers and our sisters. The devil doesn’t care about our city. So it doesn’t make sense that you and I wouldn’t care about. We don’t want to align ourselves with the demonic forces that want to destroy. We don’t want to align ourselves with the attitude and the mindset that we don’t care about our those that are closest to us because the enemy is going after them. Because if he can get the ones closest to us, then we’re going to pull back. It’s when you’re close to the Lord that you are much stronger. You’re not, you know, like invincible, but you’re so much stronger.
Now notice that there was direction given by Moses as a leader. First of all, he told Joshua to choose some men and go fight. And that was his rule. And we don’t find in Joshua resistance or questioning. The relationship between Joshua and Moses was one of faith and trust on one another. And because Moses love God and loved the people, Joshua loved God and love the people. And you imagine if you’re just human here, Joshua, you go down and put your life on the line, and I’ll just go up on the hill over here for a while and watch you. I mean, just put yourself like like some of you, you know, cop an attitude on that. What? You go where? Nothing like that. It was pretty rapid. And I mean, and this is a real war scene here. We’re going to pull some, applications out of it for our lives. But this is like life and death. But isn’t that true? Spiritually, the things we go through is this life and death stuff.
When it comes to the people that God has allowed in our lives. So Joshua, he goes down and he does exactly what he asks. And then Moses and Aaron and her, they go up to the hill, and Moses stands there with his hands up in a in a position of prayer, really surrender. And the fight was won on the mountain. And experienced in the plains. The fight was won by prayer and dependence, by cooperation. This is important for us because we do battle every day. And the reason why Israel was hit was because of their God. And the reason you’re hit is because of your God and your love for God. Because, you know, you get tired of spiritual warfare and all that. It’s like, I don’t know, I’m tired. Tired, tired. Won’t you love God and the hatred that the world has and the devil has? For your God is experienced by those that love God. And as your friend and pastor, I need to remind you, the spiritual warfare in your life will never end.
Never end. Even if you decided to walk away, turn your back on the Lord. You’re going to have a different kind of warfare as a prodigal. Just like, what am I doing here? I can’t go back. What am I doing here? I can’t go, oh, God. And then you. Now you’re battling shame and guilt, and the warfare is real. But you’re stronger when you’re closer to the Lord. You’re stronger when you’re in the fight. You’re stronger when you are where you need to be. Joshua gets them in and go fight. I’m going up. Aaron and her. You come up with me. Maybe there was some communication. So there they are. And notice as Moses. He was. His hands were up like any of us. Our arms will get heavy. I mean, you you experience it sometimes when we’re given instruction by Pastor Ian or Sean or our guest worship, and they say, put your hands up, and then you’re up there and your hands can’t even last a song.
I mean, it’s kind of night, like, not that you’re done worshiping. It’s just this hurts. And then all you watch it go down. I might as well just go down. And somehow Aaron and her notice it. I’ve developed this passage in other times as a picture of leadership. And again, you can get those studies, online or on the app, but enough to say that Aaron and her were so in tune with God and Moses that without a word, they came and made sure they noticed something. His arms up, victory! Arms down to defeat. And they came to the conclusion, I think we need to help a brother. Our leader. I need to keep his arms up and get out of Iraq. They sit him on it, and they stood there and held his arms up until victory came. That’s a great lesson for us. Learning how to hold each other’s arms up. Support one another. How do be the men and women that God called us to be for the sake of the victory? They didn’t do this for Moses as much as they did it for the Lord.
They didn’t do it for Joshua. But perhaps, you know, the more motivation was not Moses, but Joshua, because his life was on the line. But there was a there was a beauty of of intimacy in oneness. And and again, I don’t want to read into it how we might experience a day because we’re not in a war scene, but there was just a oneness among the leadership there. And that’s where victory came. And that’s an important principle for us here in our church. Like mindedness and making sure that we lock shields together so that we’re fighting the right enemy and not one another is the enemy will just take us out when we’re fighting each other. Moses goes up and he’s there battling, crying out to the Lord. Joshua and Aaron support him. I mean, in we you know, you look here in in verse 12, it says Aaron and her were with him and we’re like, where did her come from? Like, where did he show up from? We don’t know, except that once we’re introduced to him, he becomes just as important as Aaron, equal in every way in this scenario, just as important.
And when there was a need, her just showed up to meet it. And how much I appreciate that in the body of Christ, just so many things being taken care of. So many things happening, we wouldn’t we don’t have time to go through all of the testimonies of faithfulness in the in your workplace, at your house, in your neighborhood, as you’re going down to the hospital to volunteer, as you’re maybe collecting supplies to send to North Carolina or to Florida, like all the things, all the things, you’re just there because of your love for God and your love for people. And I would say fan the flame. Take the position of support and support the Lord by supporting those that he put in your life, in leadership. Now I know there’s a pastor sharing this. It might sound a little self-serving, but bear with me for a moment. God’s will for our lives is to be and to do who he has called us to be and do. And God has given us leaders in our lives.
Until my pastor went home to be with the Lord, he knew, and I very often communicated to him that God put me in his life to help him even a thousand miles away. And I want him to know that how much I love and appreciate him because of how God used him in my life. And if my name ever came up or he ever thought about me, or I came up in a prayer meeting, he would just know, you don’t need to worry about me. I got your back and I would never allow sin. I would never overlook sin. I’m not a yes man, but you know one for my relationship with my pastor. Not once was that ever required of me or requested of me because he lived a life of integrity. He was an easy man to hold up his arms. And so, leaders, we have a responsibility to live a life of faithfulness. So it’s easy for us to come together and serve. You know, your sermon with somebody, a guy or a gal right now that’s always talking about their authority.
Their.
Authority or.
Their authority.
don’t know. That’s not really relationship. Can you imagine, parents? Because that’s all your kids heard every day of your life? Not when they’re in trouble. Sometimes when they’re in trouble. Hey, there’s only one man in this house. I get that, but that’s like 1 or 2 conversations your whole life. Can you imagine every of your kids? I just want you guys.
To know I’m an authority.
Okay? Dad.
I just want you to know that’s my milk. I worked for it, and I’m an authority.
Okay, dad, what kind of kid do you think you’re going to raise if you raise him like that? No way. You’re like, this house is your house. I love you. You need more milk? I’m at the store. You need food. You don’t even worry about. I’m not. Only are you going to have food. I’m gonna find out what you like, and I’m going to surprise you with it.
That’s love. And that can happen within the body of Christ, where we mutually love one another and we become the her. And sometimes it’s dirty and sometimes it’s hard, right? If you think about Moses here, he’s got his arms up and now he’s sitting right this. And so I don’t believe to take a position if Aaron and her came and try to hold his arms. I don’t think they also took a place of weakness so that their arms become heavy trying to keep it. I think they did something like this. They came up right under her and held him up in a place where they could support him. And with that, where does that put them? Right in his armpits. And they don’t have, like, right guard or Old Spice. You know, in that day that was a nasty place to be in a real way. Those armpits, they stink it in the old King James. But lives were at stake here. Lives were at stake. So everyone did what they needed to do for the sake of others.
And that’s where victory came. And if we can learn this as a church and I think we’re learning, we could learn it even in better ways. Right? Because how did the chapter start murmuring and complaining? How does the chapter end? Victory. Why? Because from the murmurs and complainers, that picture, God shifts the scene and says, now I want you to see the integrity of the leadership that the people are dealing with. Not perfect, the integrity of the leadership. Moses, Aaron, her. And verse 13, don’t you miss that? So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. And in reviewing this, as I prepared this study, I had it ready before I was. I left for a season and reviewing it today and just thinking about it, I it was a a moment of appreciation for all the men and women that have come through the church over the years and are here right now, for the last 25 years, that have really been a blessing to the ministry and brought victory after victory after victory after victory after victory for the name of Jesus Christ in Aurora, Colorado and beyond.
Isn’t it great? It’s just so good to think of all the great things that God has done through the really difficult tasks of ministry, of service, of sacrifice, of counting the cost. Somehow God’s going to sort it all out in heaven at the Bema Seat, right? To think of all that we get to be a part of, and then somehow we’re going to be rewarded by God Himself for the ministry that he gave to us, the strength that he gave to us, the empowering that he gave to us, the people that he gave to us. Yes, there’ll be that moment like, oh, Lord, come on. And we just cast them back at his feet. They belong to Jesus. He’s the good shepherd. He’s the good shepherd. Well, notice it says in verse 14, now the Lord said to Moses, write this for a memorial in the book, and recount it in the hearing of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. And Moses built an altar, a place of worship after victory called its name the Lord is my banner.
Or some of you might have jotted down in your Bible, Jehovah Nissi. He’s my banner, my banner. The banner over me is love and victory. For he said, because the Lord has sworn the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation. Why? Because the battle continues. Enjoy the victory. Because the battle Continues. And, you know, this is the thing though, a lot of times, and this is my final thought for us today, a lot of times we think the battles are going from defeat to defeat, and we get into that mindset. Now another failure here, another failure here, another failure here, another failure here. And then we just kind of like, man, all we can see are our failures. But I want you to notice that it says the battles from generation from generation. But the last thing that God said about Israel was what victory. So battles really in Christ go not from defeat to defeat, but from what? Victory to victory? Victory to victory because the battle’s already been won.
The Cross of Christ held Jesus himself. He died, buried. And for the final word for all humanity, he rose again from the dead and ascended into heaven at the right hand of the father even now. So, Lord, we are grateful for the finished work of the cross and these victory. You know the best way to fight is together. We’re not alone. We have Aaron and her and Moses. We have Joshua. And so, Lord, to pour out your spirit on us tonight, that we might be men and women who don’t complain, don’t murmur. But we fight the good fight. We watch each other’s backs. We lock shields. We pray for like mindedness. We tell the truth to one another. We don’t cover sin. We don’t are not yes men or yes women. But we grow together in grace and trust in you to do what only you can do in our lives. And we look to you above man to supply all of our needs according to your riches in Christ Jesus.
And if you’re here today and you need to give your life to Jesus Christ, a very simply, would you just stand to your feet? You’ve already heard the gospel. You already know the condition of your life. So today’s your opportunity. I invite you to follow Jesus, knowing that you’ve sinned against him and asking God to forgive you. If that’s you, just stand where you are and want you to acknowledge that need. And I want you to pray for forgiveness tonight, right now. And for anyone among us, this is God’s appointment for you. Watching online, listening on the radio, maybe downstairs. Today’s the day. This is it. This is the moment. This evening. This place. This is your invitation. Jesus said, come unto me. All. You are weary and heavy laden. I’ll give you rest. The invitation is to him. Not to us, not to a church, not to a religion. Jesus invites you, bids you to come. There’s actually a place in the Bible for those of you who don’t know, there’s a place in the Bible where Jesus is there knocking on the door of a church saying, let me in.
I want to come in. And a lot of times we look at that kind of like a picture, like God knocking on the door of your heart, saying, let me in. It’s just kind of a cool picture to think that God would want you. And he does. And so for anyone that would say, you know, that’s me, I would just invite you to do what the Bible says. Confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus believe in your heart. God raised him from the dead. And so you could say, God, forgive me of my sins, for there are many. I repent and turn away from them today and ask you to forgive me. Because of what Jesus Christ has done for me. And I choose to follow you from this day forward. To learn from you. To yield my life to you. Help me to turn away from all of my sinful past and follow you. Father, I pray for anyone that would turn to you tonight, that you would hear their prayers, that it would be real and sincere, and that new life would be among us.
I pray that over us, Lord, even as we think about some of the topics in our study today, you just make them real. That we might I think, you know, I just get that strong word no disqualification like.
This.
Forsake sin? It’s not like. Like you said, like no one that’s enlisted in an army is going to take on the things of the world. And so we want to live a life that honors you. Bless your church tonight, Lord. Stir us up into love and good works. In Jesus name, Amen.
We pray that you’ve been encouraged by this Bible study, delivered live from the Sanctuary of Calvary Church for prayer. Call us at 87730. Grace. That’s (877) 304-7223 to listen to this message in its entirety, or to join us for our live stream services, visit us online at Calvary Coat Church or download our free Calvary Church app. Be blessed as you worship Jesus this week.
