Exodus 17:8-16
So for the first time since leaving Egypt the Israelites will have to face an enemy other than the elements. This battle with people will not only be for life and limb but about trust in God for intercession, giving obedience, and the power of God working through his people.
Exo 17:8 Now Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim.
Amalek struck suddenly and from the rear without Israel starting this conflict with them.
Deuteronomy 25:17-18 17“Remember what Amalek did to you on the way as you were coming out of Egypt, 18 how he met you on the way and attacked your rear ranks, all the stragglers at your rear, when you were tired and weary; and he did not fear God.“
Who is Amalek? – Descendants of Esau, they become long-standing enemies of Israel.
Exo 17:9 And Moses said to Joshua, “Choose us some men and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand.”
JOSHUA
This is the first mention of Joshua and he is immediately trusted with leadership in ⚔️battle⚔️.
Rod of God-symbol of God’s authority and power
This would be the same rod that has gone along through everything with the Israelites. It has been present for plagues in Egypt, parting of the Red Sea, bringing water from a rock, and now into battle.
The FIRST BATTLE
Exo 17:10 So Joshua did as Moses said to him, and fought with Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11 And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.
- This has so much more to do with the act of depending on God than on the physical strength of Moses.
- Act of Intercession – in uplifting his hands Moses shows an expression of prayer and appeal to the LORD.
- This first ⚔️battle⚔️ was not won with just swords. It was won with persistent, faithful prayer and intercession.
Exo 17:12 But Moses’ hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.
Who holds up your hands when you are weary?
Exo 17:13 So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
With cooperative faith, prayer and Israel fighting,
Exo 17:14 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write this for a memorial in the book and recount it in the hearing of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.”
📝 Note:
• This is the first command to write down something in Scripture.
• Also, the first mention of a memorial book—foreshadowing the Torah.
• Joshua must remember: this battle matters, and God will ultimately deal with Amalek.
Exo 17:15 And Moses built an altar and called its name, The-LORD-Is-My-Banner;
Exo 17:16 for he said, “Because the LORD has sworn: the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.”
🏳️ Name: YHWH-Nissi (“The LORD is My Banner”)
יהוה נסּי
yehôvâh nissı̂y
BDB Definition:
Jehovah-nissi = “Jehovah is my banner”
1) the name given by Moses to the altar which he built in commemoration of the discomfiture of the Amalekites
Part of Speech: noun proper locative
A Related Word by BDB/Strong’s Number: from H3068 and H5251 with the prononimal suffix
• A banner was a rallying point in battle.
• Moses doesn’t name the altar “Israel is Victorious” — he names it in honor of the One who truly gave the victory.
Leave a Reply