Moses: Lifting the Hands of God’s Man

We are currently, on Tuesday mornings, looking at seven different characters from God's Word. We've looked at ​Abraham: God’s Powerful Promise to a Patriarch and ​​Joseph: He Obeyed Quickly & Completely. Today, we're looking at ​Moses: Lifting the Hands of God’s Man​.

These characters are also featured in (Part Three: Days 21-27 Men of God Character Study) our Come and Gather: Family Time With God 27-day devotional. Or, what we lovingly refer to as Gather. Today's theme is encouragement and our text is from Exodus 17:1-16.

“Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses' hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. ​

So, his hands were steady until the going down of the sun” (vs 11-12).

In this passage we see two separate incidents during the wilderness wandering. Moses had led the people through the wilderness of Sin (that's a place, not an action) and they camped at Rephidim. The rest was welcome, but there was no water to drink. The Bible tells us that the people “quarreled with Moses” to which he replied, “Why do you quarrel with me?” (Exodus 17:2). Moses reminded the people that while he was their human leader, God was their ultimate leader and their complaint was with Him. It is at this point that God demonstrates His grace and orders Moses to stand before the people and strike the rock in Horeb and water came forth to meet the need.

Shortly after this incident we are told “Then Amalek came and fought with Israel at Rephidim” (Exodus 17:8). As if it were not enough that there was inward strife, now there came attacks from without. Moses commanded Joshua to assemble the troops and fight. As the men went to battle Moses, Aaron, and Hur stood on the hill watching what was happening. We are told that while Moses held his hands up the Israelites prevailed. However, the burden was great and Moses began to tire. When his hand fell the Amalekites began to win. Upon seeing this, Aaron and Hur came to the assistance of their leader. Verse 12 shows clearly the blessing these men were to Moses. The first thing they did was to give him a place to rest or sit and then they came alongside him and steadied his hands. The result was, of course, a tremendous victory.

To lead the people of God is a great responsibility that comes with many blessings as well as burdens. There are difficulties within and attacks from without. The real danger is that often a battle is waged when the leader is exhausted and there is little energy left. It is during these times that there is a great opportunity to be a blessing and help. Moses was doing as God had commanded him, but the work was hard and he needed help. Aaron and Hur were ready and willing to lend a helping hand. What can you do to be a help to the leader God has given you? Are you ready to do what you can and what is needed? The work of the Lord is not for one person only. It is necessary for all of God’s children to do their part, and then victories can be won. 

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Something that really spoke to me this week —> "Moses reminded the people that while he was their human leader, God was their ultimate leader and their complaint was with Him." How often do I complain to or against human leaders, when my complaint is actually towards my ultimate leader—God? When I consider my complaining in this light it changes my attitude.

To see how you can do your part helping the leader God has given you, check out our 8 Ways to Encourage Your Pastor post.

Come and Gather: Family Time With God published with permission
​Pastor Jeremy Sweatt, Farmington Avenue Baptist Church, West Hartford, Connecticut