Exodus 17

10–13 While Joshua led in the battle below, Moses stood on a hill overlooking the battlefield and interceded with God. As long as his arms were raised, the Israelites prevailed. Aaron and Hur (identity uncertain) helped to hold up Moses’ arms for the entire duration of the battle. The Lord’s power was the main cause of the Israelites’ victory, but the Lord chose to use Moses, his two “arm-bearers,” and Joshua and his fighting men to bring it about.

The Lord could have overcome the Amalekites without any human instrument; after all, He had just defeated the Egyptian army all by Himself. But this time He expected the Israelites to take part. And this is true for most of our own struggles as well. God ordinarily chooses to use people to “fight His battles” and to accomplish His work. Here we see God’s sovereignty joined together with human responsibility to bring about God’s will.⁵¹ But humans can never “win the battle” on their own; they need God. And God will always be there. After such a manifestation of God’s presence in their battle with the Amalekites, could the Israelites still wonder whether God was with them or not! (verse 7).

Throughout the Old Testament—indeed, throughout history—we see Almighty God graciously reaching down and using us, His servants, to accomplish His purposes. He doesn’t “need” us; He could do everything without us. But, like a loving human father, He gives us the privilege of sharing with Him in His work. He invites us to “join hands” with Him. How much we miss when we decline His invitation! (see Exodus 3:4–6 and comment).

14–16 Moses was asked to write an account of the battle with the Amalekites on a scroll.⁵² That account was then included in the book of Exodus. Though the memory of Amalek was not completely blotted out in that battle (verse 14), it would eventually be blotted out years later when the Amalekites were finally subdued by King David (2 Samuel1:1; 8:11–12).

Moses then built an altar to the Lord; in doing so, Moses acknowledged that the Lord alone was the victor in the battle, and that He alone deserved the honor and praise.

Before we leave this battle, there is one last picture to envision—the picture seen by the ordinary Israelites engaged in their battle against the enemy. The battle had gone on all day long. But at their head was Joshua, their captain; and on the hill above them was Moses, their intercessor. Surely the Israelites were heartened by that sight. Christians too are down on the plain fighting the enemy. At our head is Jesus our Captain, fighting with us in the battle. And on the “hill” above is Jesus our Intercessor, bringing our cause before the throne of God (Hebrews 7:24–25). Let our faith not fail. If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31).