Katalyst Church

A Revolution of Love

Messy Church

A Community

of Warriors

The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the

Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.” So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. As long as Moses

held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. 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. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword. Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write this on a scroll as

something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it, because I will completely blot out the name of Amalek from under

heaven.” Moses built an altar and called it The LORD is my Banner. He said, “Because hands were lifted up against the throne of the LORD, the LORD will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to

generation.” Exodus 17: 8-16

As individual believers that make up “The Church” we need a resurgence in our conviction to stand as an army against “The Principalities and Powers” attacking us both personally and corporately. SUSTAINED ASSAULT

We learn some amazing principles about warfare in this account of Israel’s first major battle, against an enemy whowas both experienced and strategic. SIGNIFICANT

We can adapt and implement these principles into our personal fight against strongholds, assignments and the wider campaign of advancing the Kingdom of God

Notice that there appears to be a blatant contradiction in what is stated in the passage: God tells Moses to write this episode down because he will utterly wipe the name of the Amalekites from under heaven! (Verse 14)

Then it says (Verse 16) that the Lord will be at war with the Amalekites from Generation to Generation

In this Historical context the Amalekites were decimated, but they alsoserve as a representationof Satan - a “type” of theongoing combat betweenGod, His People and theforces of evil assigned to afflict every generation.

1. The enemy “Knows and Go’s” for the weakest pointThe Amalekites “laid wait” for Israel and, rather than facing the nation head-on, they attacked Israel from behind, at her

weakest point, smiting the “feeble” in the rear part of the camp

Elderly - Children - Cowardly form of warfare

As a military ploy it makes perfect sense to use warfaretactics that cause most damage with minimal loss.

So the demonic realm operates on subterfuge!It is merciless, unfair fighting that strikes us personally, our families, marriages, communities, nations at their

weakest point – OUR PAST

The enemy loves to attack our identity in the past so that we never get to our future -

2. Don’t put a target on your back!Get focused on the Future!

Being at the tail end of the travelling Israelite Community put you at the greatest risk.

Letting Satan bring up things of the pastNot putting our identity into proper perspective

Isolating ourselves from fellowshipNot doing life regularly with a small group

DON’T position yourself right where Satan can strike.If it not a question of if the enemy will launch an offensive but when

– He prowls around looking for whom he might devour.

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good

deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but

encouraging one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:23-25

The prevailing principle of an attack in the animal Kingdom - Isolate from the

pack and strike the weakest.

3. Our fight has to be OUR fight!But don’t fight Alone!

Something that strikes me about this battle scene, is why Moses didn’t take turns in holding up the staff with Aaron and Hur

It’s a beautiful picture of warfare done the right way, that we face the issues and responsibilities that the Lord calls us to, we carry the

burdens of leadership or friendship or whatever calling is on our lives

We don’t evade or avoid our fight

But the benefit of this picture is that we see that in any life’s conflicts we are not supposed to face things alone.

Moses had to call upon his friends to support himWhat if he was too proud to admit his physical weakness?

As great a leader as he was, Moses couldn’t accomplish this on his own.

4. A spiritual and physical covering in warfare must go hand in hand.

Moses, Aaron and Hur had to pray, intercede, hold the staff up, support their leader, work together in order to succeed.

If they relinquished their part in the battle the Amalekites prevailed and if they kept vigilant, the Israelites prevailed.

Don’t forfeit your link in the chainSomeone had to go and physically confront the enemy, swing the

swords, shoot the arrows - Joshua and the fighting men needed the spiritual covering to make victory possible - Moses and the nation

needed the foot soldiers willing to engage the fight.

Combination of Prayer Warriors and Commando’sPrayer is the integral part of our offensive manoeuvres

5. There is a price to pay in any victory Are we willing to pay the cost?

Moses had to endure the fatigue of standing arms raised for hours on end - Numb arms and aching back.

Aaron and Hur faced significant pain as well supporting Moses

If Moses had given up there would have been dire consequences forJoshua and the soldiers – What battles are we avoiding?

We have to recognise that any victory won in a spiritual battle Won’t come without our willingness to be uncomfortable

Persistence, perseverance, prolonged, Painful – Victory on the otherside

6. His Banner is our guarantee of victory

Jehovah NissiThe presence and power of Jehovah were the banner under which Israel enlisted, by which they were empowered and kept together,

and therefore the Altar which they erected in the day of their triumph.

What ever battles we face – Jehovah Nissi

7. You are Somebody’s HUR And somebody is your HUR

We are not absolutely sure who Hur is. He is most likely Caleb’s son and Moses’ sister Miriam’s Husband.

Biblically he hardly rates a mention, there is no great spotlight on his act of service, but his role is invaluable

In supporting Moses and therefore supporting Joshua and ultimately Israel's victory