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;
5. Keep your Hands up (v.11)
a. And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.
i. We should constantly position ourselves in a position of praise
1. Philippians 4:4 - Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
2. Psalm 34:1 - I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
3. Psalm 22:3 reminds us that God inhabits that praises of His people
a. Wherever your praise is, that is where God is
6. Write this down: We Win (v.14)
a. Record this and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua that we win
b. When your hands are in the upright position you win
i. Boxers are told they must keep their hands up to protect themselves and win
ii. As Christians we must keep our hands lifted to God in praise
c. When I lift up my hands, I’m not drawing attention to myself, but I am surrendering my situation over to God
i. That’s why Moses named the place Jehovah-Nissi, the Lord is my Banner
ii. When I hold up my hands I am saying, I tired of trying to fight this thing, but Lord I’m giving it over to you
1. I’m so tired of losing, so Lord I give it to you
7. Closing
a. At the end of football game
i. You may have turned the channel and didn’t see the score
ii. But if you want a simple way of knowing who won, look for the team that has their hands up
b. Your hands being up, confuses your enemies and the Devil
i. They don’t know when you’re tired, if your hands are up
ii. They don’t know when you’re vulnerable, when your hands are up
iii. They don’t know when you’re weak when your hand are up
c. Walter Hawkins had it right
i. When you're burdened down with the cares of life
and you're striving seems in vain. Hold you head up high, your deliverance is nigh,
ii. Don't wait 'till the battle is over to shout now,
You know in the end, you're gonna win.
iii. And we KNOW that all things work together...
