TODAY’S READING IN THE ONE YEAR BIBLE:
Exodus 17:8-19:15; Matthew 22:34-23:12; Psalm 27:7-14; Proverbs 6:27-35
OLD TESTAMENT READING: Exodus 17:8-19:15
RED ALERT! A ‘red alert’ is a warning that indicates an emergency situation that requires ‘battle-readiness’.
The children of Israel have just seen the Lord provide streams of water in the desert from the Rock at Horeb while they camped at Rephidim. Clean fresh water is an extremely valuable commodity, especially for nomadic people. The sudden presence of this fresh water supply in the wilderness must have provoked the Amalekites to envy. It did not take them long to wage war with Israel.
There is a clear principle here. God’s people face will face opposition. Once the Holy Spirit comes giving us new birth, we need to be alert to the imminent battle. Amalek represents ‘the flesh’; the operations of the old sin nature. We must learn how to respond to God’s instruction and use the weapons that He gives us when the flesh rises up in opposition to the Spirit.
What are the weapons we are to use? In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul reminds us that
the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. (2 Cor 10:4)
God’s people have weapons available to them that are not available to Amalek. We will see in this passage how believers are not to attack Amalek using Amalek’s weapons.
In order to maintain victory over any onslaught of old patterns of thought and behavior from the old sin nature, the flesh, we must learn to “abide in Christ”. The Apostle Paul describes this reliance on Christ as living (or walking) in the Spirit of Christ. “Walk in the Spirit we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh” (Gal 5:17).
In the battle with Amalek, we have a picture of the means of maintaining that vital ‘faith-connection’ with the victorious life of Christ by using the following tools as spiritual weapons:
1. prayer (pictured in the uplifted hands of Moses),
2. the Name of the Lord (pictured in the Rod of God),
3. the intercessory ministry of Christ as our Great High Priest (pictured in the person of Aaron),
4. the intercessory ministry of the Holy Spirit (pictured in the person of Hur)
5. the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God (Eph 6:17, pictured by the sword in Joshua’s hand).
6. Jesus Himself. (pictured in Joshua). He is there on the battle ground ready to lead us into victory if we let Him.
We have seen how Egypt represents the world system, the old order of things, under the rule of Pharaoh, the god of this age, Satan. We have seen how Israel’s crying out for deliverance is a picture of the unregenerate sinner groaning in the misery of its servitude to the hard task master of sin and its bondage to the futility of life without the revelation of God’s redemptive plan. God hears their prayers and unfolds his plan of redemption through a Mediator (Moses). God provides deliverance through the blood of the Passover Lamb, by which the plague of death is diverted. Through the parting of the Red Sea, the children of Israel are delivered from the dominion of Pharaoh and are given access to a new life according to God’s promise. Jesus is our Passover Lamb (1 Cor 5:7) and the deliverance from the rule of Pharaoh to the rule of God at the Red Sea is a picture of our being immersed in identification with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection (1 Cor 10:1; Romans 6:1-4).
Once on resurrection ground, God’s people experience the benefits of water (the Holy Spirit) that flows from the Rock that has been struck by the Rod of God (The rock is Christ who was ‘smitten of God’; 1 Cor 10:4; Isaiah 53:4,10)
No sooner do the people of God experience the newness of life (regeneration by the Holy Spirit) through then they realize they are under attack by an enemy who contests their access to the fullness of this supply. Notice that the fight starts with the Amalekites.
When the Spirit comes, the battle begins. The mind of the flesh will oppose the mind of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:17 (NASB) For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.
Amalek is a descendant of Esau (Genesis 36:12) and a consistent type of the old sin nature, the flesh.
On conversion the flesh, although sentenced to destruction, is not eradicated until we are glorified at the return of Christ. The battle history of the children of Israel in the wilderness will illustrate this.
Numbers 24:20 20 "Amalek was the first of the nations, But his end shall be destruction."
Prior to this attack there is no record of Israel going to war in the Book of Exodus. Although the Israelites were oppressed and pursued by Egypt’s armies, there is no battle in Egypt. While we are in the world we belong to the world order. While we are subject to the dominion of the world, the flesh (the old sin nature) dominates our behavior and faces no opposition.
Once we are born again of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit brings life to our spirit (regeneration) and for the first time we are aware of the struggle. The fight is on. This is the fight we must fight. It is ‘the good fight of faith’.
1 Timothy 6:12 (NASB) 12 Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
2 Timothy 4:7 (NASB) 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;
How do we prevail against the flesh that wars against our souls?
1 Peter 2:11 (NASB) 11 Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul.
How do we overcome living in the old well developed habits of our old nature? Our mode of operation without the Holy Spirit in our life has been one of doing what we can to milk everyone around us to get our needs met for love, approval, acceptance, belonging, pleasure and profit.
There are principles found in the Old Testament that apply to our battles. It was the Holy-Spirit inspired language of the Bible that inspired the Apostle Paul to teach us about spiritual warfare.
Isaiah 59:17 (NIV) 17 He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak.
So Paul says,
Ephesians 6:13-15 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
David knows that He needs the Lord’s instructions to gain victory:
2 Samuel 22:35 (NIV) 35 He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
We are not to make peace with this enemy. We need to be alert that the enemy could attack at any moment. The flesh is not eradicated at the new birth. Nor does the continual presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives change the old nature into a new one. Jesus said, “What is born of the flesh, is flesh. What is born of the Spirit is Spirit” (John 3:6)
Deuteronomy 25:17-18 (NASB) 17 "Remember what Amalek did to you along the way when you came out from Egypt, 18 how he met you along the way and attacked among you all the stragglers at your rear when you were faint and weary; and he did not fear God.
God Himself declares war on Amalek, from generation to generation (Exodus 17:17), knowing that Amalek will never come to terms of surrender. The historic Amalek killed for pleasure and profit and continually opposed God’s people or submit to God’s rule.
This is true of the warfare between the flesh and the Spirit. The flesh will never submit to the Spirit, nor can it.
Romans 8:6-7 (NASB) 6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, 7 because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so,
Notice the strategy of Amalek. He attacks when God’s people are wanting to make progress and start traveling in the right direction. Amalek seeks out the vulnerable straggler that falls out of step with God’s people. It is a picture of Christ-followers when they are most vulnerable--- when they are not together with other believers, when they have been separated from the center of community life, and are no longer involved in spiritual services that advance the purposes of God. The enemy takes advantage of our slumps, our fatigue, our weariness, distractions and discouragements.
Left to ourselves we would all grow weary and be subject to Amalek’s attack. God’s promise to the weary and faint is “they that wait upon the Lord will gain new strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary. (Isaiah 40:30-31)
The first picture we see reminds us of the great spiritual weapon of prayer. Moses’ hands are lifted up to the throne of the Lord.
Exodus 17:16 (NIV) 16 "For hands were lifted up to the throne of the LORD.”
Moses goes to the top of the hill with the ‘rod of God’ in his hands. He cannot stand long on his own so he sits on a stone. This speaks of intercession that is solidly based on the finished work of Christ. For Christ is our Rock and our Salvation.
Like Moses, we are positioned on the Rock with the authority of God in our hands so that we can lift up our needs before God in humble, earnest, and persevering intercession.
Psalm 28:2 (NASB) 2 Hear the voice of my supplications when I cry to You for help, When I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary.
1 Timothy 2:8 (NASB) 8 Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension.
As long as Moses prevailed in prayer with his hands lifted up, the armies of Joshua prevailed against Amalek. When Moses hands were dropped down, Amalek prevailed against the armies of Joshua. Moses could not stand or persevere in his own strength. Nor could the army of Israel defeat Amalek without divine intervention.
Our help in prayer is pictured in those alongside us and underneath us who are upholding us.
Aaron, Moses brother, represents the Lord Jesus in His ministry as High Priest at the right hand of the Father who ever lives to make intercession for us (Heb 4:14; 7:25). He stands alongside Moses and lifts up His arms. Aaron, like Jesus, is identified with his brother. Jesus is not ashamed to call us brothers (Heb 2:11;). Hur stands on Moses’ other side. Hur’s name means ‘liberty’, ‘light, or ‘white linen’. Whereas the Lord Jesus stands outside of ourselves objectively as our High Priest, the Holy Spirit supports us from within, subjectively.
Romans 8:26 (NASB) 26 In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;
EXODUS 18 - THE JETHRO PRINCIPLE- DISCIPLE, DELEGATE, DEPLOY
God used Jethro to teach Moses of the importance of DISCIPLING LEADERS and DELEGATING AUTHORITY, and DEPLOYING THEM IN RESPONSIBILITY.
DISCIPLE LEADERS-
Select Them
Exodus 18:21 (NASB) 21 "Furthermore, you shall select out of all the people able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain..”
Compare with the New Testament: 2 Timothy 2:2 (NASB) 2 The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
Equip Them
Exodus 18:19-20 (NASB) 20 then teach them the statutes and the laws, and make known to them the way in which they are to walk and the work they are to do.
DELEGATE AUTHORITY
Exodus 18:21b and you shall place these over them as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens
DEPLOY IN RESPONSIBILITY
Exodus 18:22-23 (NASB) 22 "Let them judge the people at all times; and let it be that every major dispute they will bring to you, but every minor dispute they themselves will judge. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you. 23 "If you do this thing and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all these people also will go to their place in peace."
EXODUS 19- GOD HAD A FURTHER PLAN- THAT THE WHOLE NATION BE A KINGDOM OF PRIESTS.
Moses tells the Children of Israel that God is about to make Himself known to His covenant people in a more powerful way than ever before. They must make themselves ready for this. For God has a high and holy calling for all of His people.
Exodus 19:5-6 (NASB) 5 ~'Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; 6 and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel."
Truly Israel has been chosen to be a unique treasure among the nations of the earth. However in the New Testament we realize that the calling of Israel reflects the high calling in the church that is composed of both Jew and Gentile.
1 Peter 2:9-10 (NASB) 9 But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.
NEW TESTAMENT READING- Matthew 22:34-23:12
As the leaders of Israel scrutinize the Lamb of God to see if they might find any fault in Him, the Pharisees learned that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees and the Herodians. Still trying to trap Jesus they ask Jesus to isolate one commandment as being more important than the others. This would have been a severe trap if Jesus had picked just one law. It would infer that some laws were of lesser importance. Instead Jesus picked two laws that summarized all of the 613 commandments.
Matthew 22:37-40 (NASB) 37 And He said to him, " 'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.' 38 "This is the great and foremost commandment. 39 "The second is like it, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' 40 "On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets."
The final test is when Jesus asks the Pharisees a question- What do you think about the Christ? They reply that He is the Son of David. Referring to the Messianic Psalm 110:1, He then asks the Pharisees, “How is it then that David, in the spirit, calls Him ‘Lord’, saying, “The Lord said to my Lord, sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet?”
Truly if the Messiah were merely the Son of David, David, being older and greater, as the ancestor, would not call Him, Lord. Truly the Messiah was the Son of God. It was this claim of being equal with God that was causing the Pharisees to want to have Jesus killed.
With this powerful witness to His own deity, the examination of the Lamb is complete.
Matthew 22:46 (NASB) 46 No one was able to answer Him a word, nor did anyone dare from that day on to ask Him another question.
Soon they would deliver the Lamb to the Roman authorities where Pontius Pilate would say repeatedly, “I find no fault in Him”. (Luke 23:4, 14, John 18:38, 19:4, 6)
Pastor David
So, naturally, we proclaim Christ! We warn everyone we meet, and we teach everyone we can, all that we know about him, so that, if possible, we may bring every man up to his full maturity in Christ. (Colossians 1:28, J.B. Phillips paraphrase)
New Life Community Church, Concord, MA 10742
Meeting Sundays at 10:30 AM at the Emerson Umbrella for the Arts, 40 Stow Street, Concord MA
Mailing Address: Post Office Box Five, Concord, MA 01742
Church Offices: 35 Bypass Rd. Lincoln, MA 01773 978-369-0061
Home Office: 978-371-3176
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