Whispers of Jesus
So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. 11 As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. 12 When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. 13 So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.
Exodus 17:10-13
It’s just one of those fascinating moments in the Bible where you wonder. Is this coincidence or is it one of God’s wonderful little whispers of what was to come in Jesus. Do you see it?
The Amalekites were descendents of Esau (brother to Jacob). A nomadic people who lived between the promised land and Egypt. And they were not impressed with Israel’s entrance into ‘their’ territory. So they attack the people of God.
But the Lord is with Israel. Joshua will command the armies. But Moses must take the staff of the Lord to a top of a hill and keep it raised. Now, Moses is an old man. This is like something out of survivor. When he lowers his hands, Israel begins to lose. So Aaron and Hur, one on either side, support Him.
Can you picture it? Moses, with arms outstretched, a staff made of wood across his body with a man on either side. After the battle, Moses will build an altar on the hill and call it, “The Lord is my Banner.”
Could this point forward to another hill? Where God’s prophet and mediator, Jesus, will save His people as his arms are stretched out across a staff of wood with men on either side? Where Jesus will become a banner of the salvation of the Lord for His people?
I’d like to think so. I’m looking forward to asking God and knowing for sure.
For Today:
Pray:
Exodus 17:10-13
It’s just one of those fascinating moments in the Bible where you wonder. Is this coincidence or is it one of God’s wonderful little whispers of what was to come in Jesus. Do you see it?
The Amalekites were descendents of Esau (brother to Jacob). A nomadic people who lived between the promised land and Egypt. And they were not impressed with Israel’s entrance into ‘their’ territory. So they attack the people of God.
But the Lord is with Israel. Joshua will command the armies. But Moses must take the staff of the Lord to a top of a hill and keep it raised. Now, Moses is an old man. This is like something out of survivor. When he lowers his hands, Israel begins to lose. So Aaron and Hur, one on either side, support Him.
Can you picture it? Moses, with arms outstretched, a staff made of wood across his body with a man on either side. After the battle, Moses will build an altar on the hill and call it, “The Lord is my Banner.”
Could this point forward to another hill? Where God’s prophet and mediator, Jesus, will save His people as his arms are stretched out across a staff of wood with men on either side? Where Jesus will become a banner of the salvation of the Lord for His people?
I’d like to think so. I’m looking forward to asking God and knowing for sure.
For Today:
- Have you ever seen a whisper of Jesus so far in our Exodus series?
- Why do you think God required Moses to keep his arms lifted up?
- Reflect on Jesus as your banner of salvation. What does He mean for you today?
Pray:
- Praise the Father that He rescues His people from their enemies.
- Give thanks for Jesus Christ who is our banner of salvation.
- Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others rally to Christ and rejoice in victory over sin and death.
Posted in Exodus
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