Hope That Honors Christ As Lord Series

1. Background

a. Rephidim

i. Camping place of Israel in the wilderness of Paran

ii. Israel had likely happened upon the Amalekites summer resting spot, and they came

out to protect their pastures from the Israelites

b. Amalek

i. The first group that challenged Israel

ii. Group of raiding nomads who lived in the desert of Negeb

iii. The Amalekites were the descendants of Esau, and here we see the continuation of the

feud between the brothers Jacob and Esau through their descendants

c. Amalek had attacked Israel from behind, and had likely taken out some of Israel’s less

capable men who were bringing up the rear

2. Choose us out Men (v.9)

a. Moses didn’t require all of the men

b. Situation Reminds us of Gideon in Judges 7 facing the Midianites

i. Gideon started with 32,000 men

1. Thought that was too few, considering the army he was facing

2. The opposing army was positioned near the hill of Moreh, and looked daunting,

looked intimidating

3. God said that was too many

a. Told Gideon to ask them who was scared

b. God didn’t need the scared folks

i. 2 Chronicles 20:15 - Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great

multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's

c. Gideon asked timidly, “You aren’t scared are you?”

i. Gideon didn’t really want anyone to leave

ii. Gideon felt he needed all the men he had

iii. They started throwing up peace signs, saying, "I'm Out!"

1. Saying benedictions to Gideon, May the Lord watch between you and me, while we are absent

4. Gideon lost almost 70% of the people, because they were scared

ii. Gideon left with 10,000 men

1. Gideon was really fearful that he did not have enough now

a. But, at least could have been comforted by the victory of Deborah before him in Judges 4:6 who was victorious with an army of 10,000

2. God told Gideon that is still too many

3. God told Gideon to test them down by the riverside and see how they drink from the water on their knees

a. It is not surprising that God would have a test involving how we behave on our knees

i. Many of us can’t get right on our feet, because we fail to get down on our knees

1. Jesus said in Luke 18:1 - men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

ii. How many of us would have to leave if God told the pastor to tell those who don’t pray to leave

1. Many of us pray 3 minutes every day

a. 1 minute for breakfast, lunch, dinner

b. And some of us are blessing more food than others

c. God desires that we pray, that we communicate with Him

iii. Gideon gets down to 300 men (he lost 99% of what he started with)

1. Many of us have as a result of this economy have experienced this in our finances

a. We were saying Lord, how can I make it, when I make $32,000

b. Then we said Lord, how can I make it with $10,000

c. Now we’re saying Lord how can I make it on unemployment $300/week

i. But God is saying, like He said to Gideon, in Judges 7:7 - And the LORD said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the other people go every man unto his place.

3. Rod of God in his Hand (v.9)

a. In that time Jesus had yet to come, so they didn’t have Jesus on the inside of them, so

b. They depended on physical representations of the presence of God, (i.e. the rod of God, that was instrumental in the liberation of the Israelites from Pharoah)

i. Later it would be the Ark of the Covenant

ii. Thank God, we have a portable ark on the inside

1. The old saints used to sing, Take the Lord along with you everywhere you go

a. You’re gone need Him, You’re gone need him

2. Jesus is on the Mainline, tell Him what you want

3. Another writer said, I have Jesus on the inside, and He’s working on the outside

4. Moses Hands were Heavy (v.12)

a. The Man of God can get weary, Saints we have to hold up his hands

i. Don’t wear him out, then talk about him when he gets tired

ii. Hold his hands up

iii. When the Man of God is blessed and encouraged; everyone is blessed

1. Like the psalmist in Psalms 133:2 says, It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;