Go Fly an Amelekite

Exodus 17: 8-16

So the Israelites are at Rephidim, and the nature trail is over- now they're on a warpath. But they aren't seeking battle- they are attacked by the Amelekites. Moses tells Joshua- get some men and fight back- I'll go to the mountaintop with the staff of God in my hand.

This, I believe is the first reference of the staff being used without God first telling Moses- use it for this purpose. Of course, God could have told Moses to use it this time too and just not recorded the conversation- or there could have been other instances not recorded that Moses takes matters (and the staff) into his own hands- but it appears at least that Moses takes some initiative with the staff.

So the Israelites fight- and as long as Moses has the staff lifted in the air, the Israelites win the battle- but when his shoulders droop and the staff is lowered- the Israelites start to get spanked. It seems like Moses took the easy job for himself, at least initially- while other men are defending their families, Moses escapes to the mountaintop out of harm's way. However, Moses gets tired- try lifting your hands without a staff for hours over your head and see how it easy it is.

But when he gets tired- Aaron and Hur (Benny?) help him out. They move a rock for him to sit on and they hold his hands up over his head. This kept his hands steady until the sun went down.

God tells Moses to record the event for posterity, since he was going to blot the Amelekites out. Moses builds an altar and calls it "The Lord is my banner." The chapter ends with Moses observing "...hands were lifted up to the throne of the LORD. The LORD will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation."

I pull two things from this section. 1) the reward of initiative- I think it's possible for us to wait for direction for so long that we're destined for lives of inactivity. I pray for guidance, direction- a leading voice- but the answers are usually ambiguous. And ultimately I have to take what I know about what God wants, likes and expects and act to please Him. - Kind of parable of the talents lesson.

2) We're in this mess together. While our fates may be individual- our common love of God- and family ties make it necessary for us to work together and lean on each other. Arms tired? Let me hold them up. You're in danger- let me lead the charge. The point for us- lean on each other. It's easy to look at life as a marathon- maybe a more accurate- or at least more realistic metaphor is a relay race.

Also interesting to note that it was the leader who did the leaning- we never get to the point where we don't need each other. Carry my burden and I'll get yours.