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The Story of Redemption
of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers.”
Psalm 78:15,
16
.
Moses smote the rock, but it was Christ who stood by him and
caused the water to flow from the flinty rock. The people tempted
the Lord in their thirst, and said, If God has brought us out here,
why does He not give us water, as well as bread. That
if
showed
criminal unbelief and made Moses afraid that God would punish
them for their wicked murmurings. The Lord tested the faith of His
people, but they did not endure the trial. They murmured for food
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and for water, and complained of Moses. Because of their unbelief,
God suffered their enemies to make war with them, that He might
manifest to His people from whence cometh their strength.
Delivered From Amalek
“Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. And
Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with
Amalek: tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod
of God in mine hand. So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and
fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top
of the hill. And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that
Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.
But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it
under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his
hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and
his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.”
Moses held up his hands toward heaven, with the rod of God
in his right hand, entreating help from God. Then Israel prevailed
and drove back their enemies. When Moses let down his hands, it
was seen that Israel soon lost all they had gained, and were being
overcome by their enemies. Moses again held up his hands toward
heaven, and Israel prevailed, and the enemy was driven back.
This act of Moses, reaching up his hands toward God, was to
teach Israel that while they made God their trust and laid hold upon
His strength and exalted His throne, He would fight for them and
subdue their enemies. But when they should let go their hold upon
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His strength and should trust to their own power, they would be even
weaker than their enemies, who had not the knowledge of God, and