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Israel Meets With Difficulties
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It was the Son of God who, veiled in the cloudy pillar, stood
beside Moses and caused the life-giving water to flow. All the
congregation saw the glory of the Lord; but if the cloud had been
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removed, they would have been killed by the terrible brightness of
Him who was hidden in it.
The people’s unbelief was wicked, and Moses feared that the
judgment of God would fall on them. He called the name of the
place Massah, “tempted,” and Meribah, “contention,” as a memorial
of their sin.
War With Amalek
A new danger now threatened them. Because of their complain-
ing against Him, the Lord permitted them to be attacked by their
enemies. The Amalekites came out against them and struck those
who, faint and weary, had fallen behind. Moses directed Joshua to
choose a body of soldiers from the different tribes and lead them
against the enemy, while he himself would stand on a hill nearby
with the rod of God in his hand. So the next day Joshua and his
company attacked the enemy, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur were
on a hill overlooking the battlefield. With arms outstretched toward
heaven and holding the rod of God in his right hand, Moses prayed
for the success of the armies of Israel. It was observed that as long
as his hands were reaching upward, Israel was winning; but when
they were lowered, the enemy was victorious. As Moses became
tired, Aaron and Hur held up his hands until sunset, when the enemy
was defeated.
The act of Moses was significant, showing that God held their
destiny in His hands. While they put their trust in Him, He would
fight for them and conquer their enemies. But whenever they let go
their hold on Him and trusted in their own power, they would be
weak and their foes would prevail against them.
Divine strength is to be combined with human effort. Moses did
not believe that God would overcome their enemies while Israel did
nothing. While the great leader was pleading with the Lord, Joshua
and his brave followers were using all their strength to defeat the
enemies of Israel and of God.