THE LIVES OF THE PATRIARCHS #119 | THE LIFE OF MOSES #100
Pastor Christopher Choo
Lesson 3804
THE LIVES OF THE PATRIARCHS #119
THE LIFE OF MOSES #100
FROM ELIM TO THE WILDERNESS OF SIN #11
The Battle of Rephidim #4
What do we learn of the Battle of Rephidim?
The modern Amalekites are everywhere.They can be likened to satan our adversary, who prowls around seeking for believers he can devour (1 Peter 5:8).
Satan loves to attack those who are straggling behind in their walk of faith and are feeling weak... just like what the Amalekites did.
What spiritual lessons can we glean?
Some battles we can’t win alone especially in spiritual warfare.
1. We need Courage
Joshua rose up to be Moses' general in a time when they had no trained soldiers.
It was courageous of him to lead his people in their first battle.
Joshua's name in Hebrew is similar to Jesus' Name ( Yeshua ) which means " God saves."
To save his people, Joshua had the courage to live up to his name. He could be called a mighty man of valour for leading his people to victory. But he did not glorify himself.
For the battle of Rephidim belonged to the Lord in whom we now serve as His army.
2. We need Community
Moses, Aaron and Hur represent the members in church who had been praying for the work of God to be accomplished, although most of them are unable to be at the forefront fighting the battle, but they are ever willing to intercede to God.
There are times where prayers are effective in a group. Just like the many prayers prayed from the church for the apostles (Acts 4:23-31, Acts 12:5-19)
So let us learn to support each other in prayers.
3. We need Christ.
Joshua was a type of Christ who triumphed against all odds.
Without Him we can do nothing.
For Joshua will meet at Jericho a prefigurement of Christ as the Captain of the Hosts ( Joshua 5:13-15 ).
A "host" in the Bible is an unseen army, invisible to the human eye that surrounds the throne of God. It is an angelic host. (Cf. 2 Kings 6:17ff; Psalm 148:2; 103:21).
Christ Himself said twelve legions of angels were ready to defend Him.
Joshua immediately recognized the supernatural character of this visitor.
Joshua was in the presence of God. "And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and bowed down, and said to him, 'What has my Lord to say to his servant?'" (Joshua 15:14).
Conclusion
The Battle of Rephidim teaches us that God fights our battles.
This realisation calls for courage on our part to rise up in faith, to galvanise others in this good fight of faith, and to serve our Captain of the Angelic Hosts in God's army.
It was a humbling experience for Joshua, and a reminder that most of us are too proud and self-centered for God to use.
He has to show us who is in charge and bring us to our knees to worship.
"Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy." These were God's momentous words to Moses at the Burning Bush at Sinai.
Wherever God is there is holy ground. Let's humble ourselves and walk in His ways. And learn not to repeat the mistakes of the past.
