The children of Israel had no sooner had a drink of the refreshing waters which flowed from the smitten rock, when the Amalekites came and fought against them. As we remarked in the last chapter, this water speaks to us of the Holy Spirit, and therefore we find that conflict begins at once. “The flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh” (Gal. 5:1717For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. (Galatians 5:17)).
Perhaps you have been saved recently. If so, you are now indwelt by the Holy Spirit of God (Ephesians 1:1313In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, (Ephesians 1:13)), and He will never leave you (John 14:1616And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; (John 14:16)). But you still have the old nature, called the flesh, and it has not improved at all. It is like the host of the Amalekites who fought against the Israelites and tried to hinder their progress. The flesh will hinder your progress, too, if you allow it to act. The way in which the children of Israel gained the victory is very instructive, for it shows the only way of victory for us.
Victory Over the Flesh
Joshua is a figure of Christ as the Leader of His people, and so Joshua went out with chosen men to fight against the Amalekites. Then, while the battle was going on in the wilderness, Moses, Aaron and Hur went up to the top of the hill and Moses held up his hands. As long as his hands were uplifted, the Israelites were victorious, but when he let down his hands, the Amalekites were victorious. This would show us that we cannot gain the victory over the evil inclinations of our sinful nature in our own strength.
Joshua led the Israelites according to the word of Moses. We need Christ leading us according to His Word in the power of the Spirit of God. Israel needed Moses holding up his hands on the top of the mount. We need Christ as our Great High Priest interceding for us on high. He is always ready to help us in every time of need (Hebrews 4:15-1615For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:15‑16)), and we could never gain the victory if He were not interceding for us.
Moses’s hands became very tired, and so Aaron and Hur made him sit down while they held up his weary hands, Aaron on one side and Hur on the other. In this way his hands were held steady until the end of the day, and the children of Israel were victorious. Aaron is the priest, and “Hur” means purity. How blessed to know that our Great High Priest’s hands will never grow weary. His work on Calvary has so perfectly solved God’s question about sin that in holiness He can maintain His work as our Great High Priest and Advocate. He who died for us is now living for us on high.
Certain Victory
Perhaps you may be distressed at times to find that the old nature with its sinful desire is still within. There is real conflict between the flesh and the Spirit, but let us remember that the battle is the Lord’s and that He is the Leader of His people. Our Great High Priest is pleading for us, too. He knows all about our every weakness, but in His strength we can go forward, counting on Him for the victory. Our victory is just as certain as Israel’s victory over Amalek, if we count on the Lord and go to Him for grace to help in time of need.
Further Meditation
1. What work of Christ is nicely represented by Moses in this passage?
2. What does the example of Joshua teach us about our own warfare with the flesh?
3. If you are interested in learning more about the Lord in His work as our High Priest, you would enjoy listening to the recording of Christ’s Intercession as High Priest and as Advocate by R. Thonney.