Today’s Reading: Exodus 17:8-16, Psalm 24
While the people of Israel were still at Rephidim, the warriors of Amalek attacked them. 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.” – Exodus 17:8-9
This was the first attack the people of God experienced after leaving Egypt. They had experienced a need for God to provide them with food and water, and He had come through faithfully. Now it was time for them to again trust God for their safety, while trusting their leader to hold tight to the staff of God.
A STRONG LEADER KNOWS THE IMPORTANCE OF LIFTING HIGH THE STAFF OF GOD.
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. 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. – Exodus 17:10-11
What a beautiful example of the importance of leadership — the critical need for someone to be willing to hold on to the staff of God. When leadership is strong, the army of believers is inspired; when leadership is weak, there is a negative impact on the group as a whole.
But this leader did not have to carry the weight of leadership on his own. He had a team of leaders beside him to help support him when the body of believers needed him the most. Joshua was on that team, and he was willing to complete the assignment given to him. He would lead the army from the battlefield while Moses led from the hilltop.
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. As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle. — Exodus 17:12-13
A WISE LEADER KNOWS HOW TO BUILD A TEAM WHEN LEADERSHIP GETS HARD.
What God was asking Moses to do was difficult, but he didn’t have to do it alone; he could use his team. This battle against the Amelekites is a great example of the importance of leaders surrounding themselves with wisdom and strength. When Moses lacked the endurance to stand strong throughout the battle, Aaron and Hur were quick to support their leader. They found a stone on which he could rest, and they stood on both sides of Moses in order to support him when he needed them most. They were willing to stand in order to sustain the energy of their leader.
After the victory, the Lord instructed Moses, “Write this down on a scroll as a permanent reminder, and read it aloud to Joshua: I will erase the memory of Amalek from under heaven.” Moses built an altar there and named it Yahweh-Nissi (which means “the Lord is my banner”). He said, “They have raised their fist against the Lord’s throne, so now the Lord will be at war with Amalek generation after generation.” – Exodus 17:14-16
A HUMBLE LEADER BOLDLY PROCLAIMS YAHWEH-NISSI — THE LORD IS MY BANNER!
When I was a little girl, one of my favorite songs to sing in Children’s Church was His Banner Over Me is Love. I would wave my arms above my head, point to myself, and then cross my arms and swing back and forth as I sang. “The Lord is mine and I am His, His banner over me is love. The Lord is mine and I am His, His banner over me is love. The Lord is mine and I am His, His banner over me is love. His banner…over me…is love.”
Father God, thank you for defending your people. Jehovah Nissi, thank you for giving us confidence during life’s battles, and for surrounding us with the people of God to help us when we need it most. Show us how we can best support the leaders you have placed in our lives. This morning, we wave the banner of victory to show that our identity is in you — the One who reigns victoriously. May this be our rallying cry today! The Lord is my banner! Amen.
Who is the King of glory?
The Lord, strong and mighty;
the Lord, invincible in battle.
Open up, ancient gates!
Open up, ancient doors,
and let the King of glory enter.
Who is the King of glory?
The Lord of Heaven’s Armies—
He is the King of glory. — Psalm 24:8-10