Exodus 17:8–13 – The power of prayer

The combat the Israelites had with the Amalekites at Rephidim is a type of the spiritual warfare we all engage in our journey with Christ. No one is exempted from this battle. Satan and his cohorts of demons want to waylay us and disrupt our journey. The attack often comes suddenly in different forms of temptation and trial. The source of the fight can be identified in the unseen realm. That’s the reason why Paul tells us that we do not fight against flesh and blood, but against powers and principalities in high places. 

Exodus 17:9-13 give us the battle strategy. It is clearly the instrument of prayer. Like Moses, we need to engage in resolute and earnest prayer. In verse 9, he instructed Joshua to take with him capable men who could fight and to engage the Amalekites in battle while he would go up to the top of the hill with the staff of God. Joshua was Moses aide. This is the first time he was introduced to us. He was an able fighter but yet winning the battle was not due to his fighting ability alone. It was the prayer support he had from Moses, who was supporting him and his men in prayer. Remember, verse 11 says that “So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed.” Moses with the staff was interceding for the people. Though not explicit, what Moses did when he pointed his staff heavenward was an indication of his dependence on God. He was making his appeal to God to come to His people’s assistance.

How do we come to the conclusion that Moses was engaging in prayer? It is because of the posture he adopted. It is understood that when the Israelites praise or pray to God, they lifted up their hands toward heaven. Perhaps this is why Paul’s instruction to the church through 1 Timothy 2:8 is for men everywhere to lift up their holy hands in prayer. Lifting hand toward heaven is a sign of dependence on God. It is He who will grant us the victory. So long as Moses lifted up his hands, Joshua and his men advanced in the battle. So long as Moses’ hands were held up, Joshua and the men would gain the ascendancy in the battle. When Moses' hand became tired and he let down his hands, the enemy would prevail. So, Aaron and Hur who went up with him to the hill, each supported his hands, one on each side.

What Moses did show us how important it is to engage in prayer. Even when our battle gear is on and we are armed to the hilt, if we are not praying, the battle cannot be won. If we are to be victorious, we need to actively participate in the battle but we must also pray earnestly like Moses. We pray because without God we cannot, and without us engaging in prayer God will not. Moses, Aaron and Hur engaging God on the hilltop, reminds us of what Jesus said in Matthew 18:19-20.  He promises to be present whenever two or three are gathered in His name. Better still when they agree. He promised that when two or three brought a certain matter to God in agreement, it shall be done for them. Beloved, there is power in prayer, united earnest prayer. Victory is just a prayer away. So, let us pray!