Lessons From Moses' Sore Arm

By Jared Green     Throughout the Israelites’ exodus journey, nothing was made clearer than the power of the Lord. Along with the physical pain and inconvenience that came with the ten plagues, God sent each of them as a specific attack on the gods of the Egyptians, making God’s power clear. When the Israelites departed Egypt, God led the people in the form of pillars of cloud by day and fire by night, displaying his presence and leadership. When Pharaoh’s army chased the Israelites, God parted the Red Sea, allowing the Israelites to cross dry land and later drowning the Egyptian military. When the people became hungry, God provided them food from heaven, and when they became thirsty, God gave them water from a rock.     It is a surprise, then, to learn that the Israelite army won their first military battle as a result of God’s power. In Exodus 17, the Amalekites attacked the Israelites, and Moses commanded his assistant Joshua to gather men to fight against them. With his staff, in his hand, Moses climbed to the top of the hill to watch over the battle. The text tells us that when Moses held his hands in the air, Israel prevailed. However, when his arms became tired and he lowered his staff, Amalek began to prevail. Knowing that Moses was unable to hold his arms in the air for an entire day, Aaron and Hur stepped in. They gave Moses a stone to sit on, and they helped him hold his arms in the air. As a result of their help, Moses’ arms remained high, and Israel defeated Amalek.     Moses’ sore arms served as a clear representation that God was in control, providing Israel with the victory. On many occasions, Moses’ staff, represented the power given to him by God. God parted the Red Sea when Moses lifted up his staff, over the sea (Exodus 14:16). Later, God provided water when Moses used his staff, to strike the rock (Exodus 17:6). In the same way, God led Israel to victory when Moses held his staff, in the air.     The story of Israel’s first military victory is an odd story. It is the only one I can find where an army experienced victory because their leader held his arms in the air for an entire day! It does, however, provide us with a few key lessons. First, God is both powerful and sovereign. Whatever he sets out to accomplish, he will accomplish. We should take heart that in a world full of darkness, our God is in control. Second, it matters who we surround ourselves with. Without Aaron and Hur’s presence and willingness to help, Moses would have been incapable of doing what God called him to do. We must make sure that we are surrounding ourselves with like-minded people who build us up and help us along in this journey of life. Third, we should always seek to be Aaron and Hur to others. When we look for opportunities to serve those around us, God will provide. God loves you, and so do I.

- Jared Green preaches the Calvert City Church of Christ in Calvert City, KY.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.calvertchurchofchrist.com