Background to the Battle
Amalek was the son of Eliphaz, the eldest son of Esau. This made the Amalekites distant cousins to Israel. That they came and attacked Israel a long way from their own territory suggests that either they were truly afraid that Israel was looking to their land as a destination, or that some other interests or fears were at work. If they had only remembered the promise made to Jacob, perhaps this battle could have been avoided.
The very next story involves Jethro and the Midianites, who respond more positively to Israel.
Thus the pattern is set for the outcomes for the nations in accordance with their response to Israel. Attack them and suffer the consequences, bless them and experience God’s favour.
The Amalekite attack draws God’s anger because:
A) they fail to recognise his purposes and plan
B) Their first targets are the sick, aged and tired. (Deut. 25:17-19)
Meet the enemy: Eph. 6
Our battle, as Paul says, is not with flesh and blood but against principalities and powers
Whilst we do want to dwell on our enemy, it’s important to know our enemy.
What do we know about our enemy? He’s sneaky, deceptive (the father of all lies), he set on taking power, he’s defeated, he’s powerful but not all-powerful, he knows the Bible well but twists and abuses it…
Winning Battles
Divine intervention
Human responsibility
To pray
To obey
To act
This battle would not, could not have been won if it were not for the intervention of God. Joshua may overcome with the sword, but it needed Moses to overcome with the staff first. When he lowered his hands, Israel faltered, when he raised them, Israel prevailed.
The sword is subservient to the staff. Prayer is what actually wins the day, not the power of the army.
Why is it that when Christians face a challenge they typically stop praying and when non-Christians face a crisis they usually start praying?
Moses positioned himself so that he could see the big picture. We need big picture pray-ers.
Moses did not go up the mountain alone. We need prayer partners.
Moses did his job so that Joshua could be successful in his job. Perhaps even at this point God was preparing Joshua for the leadership role he would eventually fulfil as he lead Israel into the Promised Land and through the battles they would face there.
Prayer that wins battles is based upon the belief that God cannot be defeated.
John Piper: Christian vision is not the imagining of a possibility, but the grasping of an inevitability.
In Ephesians 6 Paul speaks about the importance of prayer as he outlines the armour of God. He says:
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
What battles do we face?
Battle of the mind
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Battle of the will
Joshua 24:15
But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."
Battle of the heart
To love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind.
Battle of temptation
When it comes to temptation remember:
There is nothing new…
The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. (1Cor.10:13)
Jesus knows about temptation
Heb. 4:15
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.
We don't have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He's been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let's walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.
Victory comes through:
God’s word Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God
Honouring God appropriately: You don’t throw yourself off high towers, you do throw yourself upon his grace and mercy
Worshipping him wholeheartedly
Conclusion
Battles are part of life. We may not face an attacking army, but we certainly come under attack form time to time. The trick is to be ready.
We should not be surprised to come under spiritual attack, but we should prepare ourselves to face attacks and respond accordingly. As Paul says, we should to do everything we can to stand, and when we have done everything we can to stand then we should stand. (Eph.6:13)
