LEARNING TO FIGHT

EXODUS 17:8-16 New Experience: Israel must learn to fight EXODUS 17:8-16 At , came and fought against Israel. said to , “Select some men for us and go fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the hilltop with God’s staff in my hand.” EXODUS 17:8-16 Joshua did as Moses had told him, and fought against Amalek, while Moses, , and went up to the top of the hill. While Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, but whenever he put his hand down, Amalek prevailed. When Moses’ hands grew heavy, they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat down on it. EXODUS 17:8-16 Then Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other so that his hands remained steady until the sun went down. So Joshua defeated Amalek and his army with the sword. EXODUS 17:8-16 The LORD then said to Moses, “Write this down on a scroll as a reminder and recite it to Joshua: I will completely blot out the memory of Amalek under heaven.” And Moses built an altar and named it, “The LORD Is My Banner.” He said, “Indeed, my hand is lifted up toward the LORD’s throne. The LORD will be at war with Amalek from generation to generation.” 1. There are many battles to fight on the way to the promised land.

Attitude: We are at war, we are not at home EXODUS 17:8-10 At Rephidim, Amalek came and fought against Israel. Moses said to Joshua, “Select some men for us and go fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the hilltop with God’s staff in my hand.” Joshua did as Moses had told him, and fought against Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. ISRAEL’S BATTLE: Amalekites DEUTERONOMY 25:17-18 Remember what the Amalekites did to you on the journey after you left Egypt. They met you along the way and attacked all your stragglers from behind when you were tired and weary. They did not fear God. AMALEKITES • Descendants of Esau (Genesis 36:12) AMALEKITES • Descendants of Esau (Genesis 36:12) • Didn’t fear God AMALEKITES • Descendants of Esau (Genesis 36:12) • Didn’t fear God • Picking on the weak OUR BATTLE • The World OUR BATTLE • The World • The Flesh OUR BATTLE • The World • The Flesh • The Devil OUR BATTLE • The World • The Flesh • The Devil • Not Individuals 2. There are many different roles in the battle. EXODUS 17:8-10 At Rephidim, Amalek came and fought against Israel. Moses said to Joshua, “Select some men for us and go fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the hilltop with God’s staff in my hand.” Joshua did as Moses had told him, and fought against Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill FIVE POSITIONS 1. Moses – Leader FIVE POSITIONS 1. Moses – Leader 2. Aaron – Priest FIVE POSITIONS 1. Moses – Leader 2. Aaron – Priest 3. Joshua – General FIVE POSITIONS 1. Moses – Leader 2. Aaron – Priest 3. Joshua – General 4. Soldiers – Soldiers FIVE POSITIONS 1. Moses – Leader 2. Aaron – Priest 3. Joshua – General 4. Soldiers – Soldiers 5. Hur – FIVE POSITIONS 1. Moses – Leader 2. Aaron – Priest 3. Joshua – General 4. Soldiers – Soldiers 5. Hur – Dude with a weird name TWO STRATEGIES 1. Ground Game – Physical TWO STRATEGIES 1. Ground Game – Physical 2. Air Game – Spiritual Moses' Hands • God is establishing Moses the leader of Israel Moses' Hands • God is establishing Moses the leader of Israel • Moses is interceding for the people EXODUS 17:10-12 Joshua did as Moses had told him, and fought against Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. While Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, but whenever he put his hand down, Amalek prevailed. EXODUS 17:10-12 When Moses’ hands grew heavy, they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat down on it. Then Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other so that his hands remained steady until the sun went down. PSALM 28:2 Listen to the sound of my pleading, when I cry to You for help, when I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary. 3. You need to fight in the battle. EXODUS 17:11-16 While Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, but whenever he put his hand down, Amalek prevailed. When Moses’ hands grew heavy, they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat down on it. Then Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other so that his hands remained steady until the sun went down. So Joshua defeated Amalek and his army with the sword. EXODUS 17:11-16 The Lord then said to Moses, “Write this down on a scroll as a reminder and recite it to Joshua: I will completely blot out the memory of Amalek under heaven.” And Moses built an altar and named it, “The Lord Is My Banner.” He said, “Indeed, my hand is lifted up toward the Lord’s throne. The Lord will be at war with Amalek from generation to generation.” We need each other. EPHESIANS 4:14-16 Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit. But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into Him who is the head — Christ. EPHESIANS 4:14-16 From Him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building up itself in love by the proper working of each individual part. APPLICATIONS 1. Fight 1 TIMOTHY 6:11-12 But you, man of God, run from these things, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the faith; take hold of eternal life that you were called to and have made a good confession about in the presence of many witnesses. APPLICATIONS 1. Fight 2. Fight Privately Victory in the ground game is often connected to victory in the air game 1 CHRONICLES 29:17 I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. APPLICATIONS 1. Fight 2. Fight Privately 3. Fight For Your Family