Amalek

AMALEK

Exodus 17:14

Pastor Rex Deckard

Calvary Apostolic Church

Des Moines, Iowa

I. Introduction

The Amalekites were despised by God who wanted to utterly destroy them. What did they represent, and why were they such an obstacle to the people of Israel? I believe that they were more than just another pagan nation, such as the Jebusites or Philistines! I believe that they represented a spirit that would destroy anyone who tolerated its existence. Now first, a little background:

II. Amalek was the Grandson of Esau

(Gen 36:12 KJV) And Timna was concubine to Eliphaz Esau’s son; and she bare to Eliphaz Amalek: these were the sons of Adah Esau’s wife.

Because of their daddy’s carnality and sin, they did not receive the blessing that Isaac had passed on, and they had lost their birthright!

A. Sin of Iniquity is visited on the 3rd and 4th generations!

Iniquity= I know it’s wrong, but I’m going to do it anyway!

Amalek inherited the spirit of his grandfather, Esau, of whom it was said “Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated! Why did God hate Esau? Because he did not value the blessing.

B. The Amalekites Became a Thorn when Israel tried to pass through the Wilderness to the Promised Land

(Exo 17:8 KJV) Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.

And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow 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.

An “I don’t care and I don’t value the things of God, will keep God’s people from the promises of God!”

III. There Was a Lesson on Leadership We See When Israel Fought the Amalekites

(Exo 17:12 KJV) And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.

And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.

An “I don’t care and I don’t value the things of God, will wear down the strength of the leadership!”

IV. God Set a Promise to Israel that the Amalekites would Be Destroyed

(Exo 17:14 KJV) And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.

For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.

(Num 24:20 KJV) And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek was the first of the nations; but his latter end shall be that he perish for ever.

(Deu 25:17 KJV) Remember what Amalek did unto thee by the way, when ye were come forth out of Egypt;

(Deu 25:19 KJV) Therefore it shall be, when the LORD thy God hath given thee rest from all thine enemies round about, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it, that thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; thou shalt not forget it.

This battle was personal! God Himself vowed to blot out Amalek! God will not tolerate the spirit of apathy and lethargy! (The last battle that Israel faced before entering the Promised Land was the battle with Og of Bashan- and the only thing the Bible tells us about Og was that he had a “Big Bed!” The challenge of the ten virgins in the midnight hour before Jesus comes was Don’t Fall Asleep!)

V. God Chose Saul as the Instrument to Bring About the Judgement on Amalek

(1 Sam 15:2 KJV) Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt.

Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.

And Saul came to a city of Amalek, and laid wait in the valley.

(Read on)

A. For hundreds of years God awaited Sauls appointment with destiny. Samuel, raised in the apostacy of the house of Eli yearned for it. And yet, when his hour came, he blew it and disappointed them all.

VI. Saul’s Sin Was Not Disobedience, but Incomplete Obedience

(1 Sam 15:20 KJV) And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.