Joshua discomfited Amalek.
Winning God’s battles
I. Amalek, as we learn from Deuteronomy 25:18, had “smitten the hindmost, even all that were feeble.” The stragglers are always a temptation to the foe. The hindmost and the feeble are sure to be the first attacked, and therefore should have special care.
II. Joshua discomfited Amalek, not Moses or some other friend. Let us keep our bitterness for sin, and our swords for the King’s enemies.
III. Amalek is not to be beaten without a fight. The struggle against sin is real, as we shall find to our cost if we are not wary.
IV. Moses was for each minding his own work. Joshua to fight, and himself to take the top of the hill.
V. Moses on the hill is an emblem of public prayer. There is a mystery about prayer that we cannot unravel, fine of the bravest of Christian soldiers, scarred with many a fight, said, “I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands.”
VI. How much even the mightiest of men are dependent upon others much weaker than themselves. It was well for the fortunes of the day that Moses was not alone.
VII. An altar marked the place of battle, and glory was given to the Lord of Hosts. The soldiers of the Cross should call the battle-fields where they have won their bravest fights by the name of Him to whom they ascribe all might and majesty. (T. Champness.)
The battle of Amalek, an instructive war
I. As the record of a war distinguished from most modern wars.
1. It was purely defensive on the Hebrew side.
2. It was Divinely sanctioned on the Hebrew side.
3. It was evidently judicial on the Hebrew side.
II. As the record of a war suggesting principles of general application.
1. The propagating influence of evil. I find the primal cause of this war in the injury which Jacob perpetrated upon his brother Esau (Genesis 27:18-19). God only knows the influence of one evil act.
2. The Divine liberty allowed to wicked men. Full freedom to work out revengeful passions.
3. The variety of instrumentality by which God works out His designs. The Eternal ever works by means.
4. The dependence of man’s progress on his relation to heaven.
5. The importance of transmitting to posterity the agency of God in history (see verse 14).
III. As the record of a war symbolizing the moral struggle in which the good are engaged.
1. That the good have spiritual enemies to contend with.
2. That the victory which the good are to obtain over their enemies depends on the help of others.
3. That whatever may be the amount of help obtained in the struggle, the victory must ever be ascribed to God. (Homilist.)
Israel and Amalek
I. The Christian’s example.
1. To fight.
(1) An aggressive fight “Go”
(2) To be done wisely. “Choose you out men.”
(3) Earnestly “Fight.” No parley.
(4) Continually.
2. To pray.
(1) For those who fight.
(2) Earnestly. Not growing weary.
(3) Confidently. “The rod”--symbol of past mercies.
(4) Unitedly.
II. The Christian’s encouragement.
1. Christ, our Captain--
(1) With us, to cheer.
(2) With us, to direct.
(3) With us, to defend.
2. Christ, our intercessor.
(1) Prays, while we work.
(2) Prays continually.
(3) Prays successfully.
III. The Christian’s prospect.
1. Of certain victory.
2. certain glory. (B. D. Macmillan.)
Amalek and Israel
I. The battle was forced upon the victors.
II. The battle was hotly contested.
III. The vanquished owed defeat, and the victors victory, to Divine power through human intercession.
Lessons:
1. As soon as we become followers of Christ, war is forced upon us.
2. Every Christian possesses a Divine rod which, wielded, will bring him Divine help (Hebrews 4:16).
3. Christians in their conflict have an Intercessor on the hill, and a Leader in the valley. Christ makes intercession (Hebrews 7:25); and the Holy Spirit helps our infirmities (Romans 8:26), and guides into all truth (John 16:13). (W. Harris.)
Lessons
1. Hands of creature-instruments may be helpful under God, to give His Church success against its enemies.
2. Such hands lifted up to heaven in prayer, and for encouragement, God doth assist unto prevalency.
3. Hands hanging down and feeble in prayer, may give opportunity unto enemies to prevail.
4. Such languishings after strong strugglings, God sometimes orders upon His choicest servants.
5. Doubtful may be the fight of Israel as to success against its enemies for a time (verse 11).
6. Heaviness of flesh and spirit in contending with God for Israel may sometimes befall Moses (Matthew 26:41; Matthew 26:43).
7. Suitable support under such delinquencies are very requisite for God’s servants. Christ the stone to us.
8. Good helpers to strengthen hearts and hands in faintings are specially useful.
9. By such helps souls may be stedfast and faithful unto God unto time of victory (verse 12).
10. Moses praying and Joshua fighting, Amalek must fail, when prayer puts the edge on the sword it is furbished to the slaughter.
11. It is God’s just ordering that they who first oppress with the sword, shall perish by the sword (verse 13). (G. Hughes, B. D.)