The Prayer Life of Moses - A Theology of Prayer

Study 21

Text: Exodus 17:8-16

A POWERFUL OBJECT LESSON

The Children of Israel now came to another major problem. They suddenly found themselves under attack by the marauding Amalekites. Quickly, Moses responded to the new situation at hand.
On the practical side, Moses gave instruction to Joshua who became his right hand man.

"And Moses said to Joshua, 'Choose us some men
and go out, fight with Amalek.
Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God
In my hand.'"
Exodus 17:9

On the one hand, Joshua was to lead a hastily formed army which had never seen combat into battle against the feared Amalekites. How could they ever hope to win this battle against a seasoned army of brigands?
Once again, Moses sought to teach the children of Israel the efficacy of intercessory prayer. Joshua and his men would fight while Moses would do his part and intercede on their behalf.

A DING-DONG BATTLE

The Amalekites were determined fighters. They knew that if they could just beat Joshua and his untrained soldiers, the whole camp of Israel would be at their mercy. Fueled by greed and evil, they fought hard. There were times when they seemed to prevail. Yet, somehow they never could fully prevail against the untrained and untried army of Israel. They probably couldn't figure out just why they could not prevail.
Moses on his part, as he had promised went up to the top of the hill, so that he would be visible to Joshua and his soldiers.

"And Moses, Aaron and Hur went up to the top of the hill.
And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed;
And when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed."
Exodus 17:10-11

This was a special opportunity for Israel to learn about the place and the power of prayer. Few things could be more objectively clearer than this lesson.

1. Prayer and action go together.

2. Where prayer efforts wane, for whatever reason, so it would affect the action.

3. Where the enemy is very determined, so must prayer effort be even more strenuously poured in, for the danger of defeat becomes very real.

4. Moses was wise when he chose Aaron and Hur to be with him. There are times when one needs more prayer companions.

Israel had failed to pray but chose to complain instead. Now when they really needed to pray, they found that they were not able to do that very well. What good would complaining do for them now?

INTERCESSORY PRAYER IS HARD WORK

Intercessory prayer is work- hard work at that too! There were times when it seemed so easy to pray. Moses needed only to breathe a word of prayer to God and the answer was given almost immediately.

Moses now learned that there were times when he must sustain prayer efforts. This was one situation. The enemies were most determined to defeat the army of Joshua. They fought ferociously. Against such enemies, prevailing prayer is the only answer.

Moses, we must remember was an octogenarian. He was eighty when God sent him to Egypt to deliver Israel. Soon he became weary. (Try lifting up your hands as Moses did. See how long you can hold your hands up).

"But Moses' hands became heavy; so they took a stone
and put it under him, and he sat on it.
And Aaron and Hur supported his hands,
One on the one side, and the other on the other side;
And his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.
So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people…"
Exodus 17:12-13

Moses prayed as never before. Much was at stake. He knew that if he did not prevail in prayer, then all the work that he had done could be ruined. However, he knew also that he was physically worn out. He wanted to pray on, but he felt that he was too tired to carry on.

With the help of two good friends, Moses persevered in prayer. He must prevail and prevail he did. Joshua defeated Amalek with a convincing victory. An untrained army had defeated a seasoned enemy. The soldiers knew whom to thank when they marched home victoriously that day. Of course they had fought well, but where did they find the courage, the strength, and the fighting skills? They knew that God has helped them. They knew that God had heard the prayers of their leader, Moses. Israel had learned an important lesson that day! There was great power in intercessory prayer. Sometimes that power would not be released unless one persevered in prayer!

TAKE TIME TO REMEMBER SPECIAL LESSONS

This was the first battle Israel was engaged in. The lessons were many and precious. The congregation must not forget this incident. Moses raised up a special altar to offer worship to God.

"And Moses built and altar and called its name
'The-LORD-is-my-banner.'"
Exodus 17:6

The LORD was indeed there with His people. He had heard the prayers of Moses. He rallied to the rescue of His people. He rescued them from certain death. He had proven once again that He was their prayer-answering God! What a challenge to develop our prayer life.

~ Pastor Charlie Tan ~