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