David Bahn – Reflections

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These devotions are part of the Follow the Word Bible reading program at St. John Lutheran Church in Cypress, Texas. This year we are reading through the Scriptures together, listening for how God speaks through his Word day by day. I hope you will join me on this journey.

Today’s readings are Exodus 17-19; Psalm 49.

Exodus 17:8-13

While the people of Israel were still at Rephidim, the warriors of Amalek attacked them. ⁹ Moses commanded Joshua, “Choose some men to go out and fight the army of Amalek for us. Tomorrow, I will stand at the top of the hill, holding the staff of God in my hand.”

¹⁰ So Joshua did what Moses had commanded and fought the army of Amalek. Meanwhile, Moses, Aaron, and Hur climbed to the top of a nearby hill. ¹¹ As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage. ¹² Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset. ¹³ As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle.

Just the facts: Moses climbs a mountain with Aaron and Hur at his side while Joshua takes a group of men to fight against the army of Amalek. Moses promises that he will take the staff of God in his hand. As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage. Then when he tires of holding up the staff of God, Aaron and Hur stand beside him and hold up Moses’ hands with the staff. Ultimately Joshua prevailed over the warriors of Amalek.

We might be tempted to speculate: was the staff of God some sort of magic wand? Did it channel divine power down to Joshua only if it was held up high? Or was it a symbol of encouragement to Joshua? Would Joshua – when he saw Moses and the staff of God raised high – be reminded that he was fighting for Israel and that Moses was urging them on?

Fortunately or not, we are given no further explanation of this incident. So to some extent we must simply say – in good Lutheran fashion – “I don’t know.”

We can, nonetheless, draw some legitimate preliminary conclusions about this incident. This is the staff of God which Moses used to part the Red Sea and which struck the rock which brought water to a parched nation. And this is Moses, the great leader of Israel.

Notice, however, that even great leaders get tired. It is no small thing that Aaron and Hur accompany him up on the hill. And when Moses’ hands begin to fail they hold up his hands.

This may be a symbol of intercessory prayer, or a reminder that God’s people must depend on him. There is even the foreshadowing of Christ whose outstretched hands gained an even greater victory for us. But I note – very specifically and personally – the idea that even the greatest leaders grow weary and need the support of the faithful.

My hands have been held high many times – sometimes known, many times unbeknownst to me. The prayers of God’s people in my behalf, the words of encouragement and kindness, and the partnerships in the Gospel have sustained me more than many people know. An elders retreat where the guys came around me and prayed for me as I was in tears about a lost son: A chancel drama gone wrong with the people in the congregation joining me in godly and joyful laughter: A deep sense of support by staff and people in the unity of the Spirit and the bond of peace: all these have held up my hands.

Perhaps you can identify times when the people around you have sustained you and spurred you on to love and good works for the glory of God and the blessing of others. If so, give thanks to God. If you see someone who needs your help, hold up their hands.

Whatever thing we might take from this encounter, the battle belongs to the Lord, and we do not win the battle in our own strength. Ever.