The Results of Prayer

Then Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim. Moses said to Joshua, “Choose men for us, and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with God’s rod in my hand.” So Joshua did as Moses had told him, and fought with Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. When Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed. When he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side. His hands were steady until sunset. Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
—Exodus 17:8-13 WEB*

It has been suggested that this passage, more than any other in the Bible, demonstrates that prayer has significant results. The people of Israel were camped at a desert place known as Rephidim. While there, the army of Amalek — the Amalekites — came near to Israel's camp and communicated its intent to wipe out Israel.

The name Amalek is transliterated from Hebrew as Amaleq. This was a descendant of Esau, the brother of Jacob, whom God had renamed Israel. Though Esau had made peace with his brother during their lifetimes, the descendants of the brothers had become bitter enemies. The Amalekites became the first to oppose the nation of Israel following its Exodus from Egypt (Numbers 24:20).

Moses called Joshua to lead Israel in battle against the Amalekites. He then reviewed with Joshua their battle strategy: While Joshua and the army fought, Moses would be positioned on the hill overlooking the battle, holding the rod of Aaron. Though the text does not elaborate, it is thought that Moses' placement was more than a symbolic gesture. Specifically, it is thought that from this location Moses could pray to God during the battle, asking Him pour out courage, valor, coordination and supernatural protection on their soldiers.

As Moses prayed to God, Joshua's troupes prevailed in battle, fighting with a divine intensity that drove back the enemy. But when Moses grew weary, he dropped his arms and focused his attention on the battle, not on God. At those times Moses saw, to his horror, that the enemy gained the advantage. When Moses again appealed to God, the momentum of the battle shifted to Joshua's army.

Moses soon realized that he must continue in prayer if he wanted God's intervention. He was able to do so with the literal support of his brother Aaron and his friend Hur, and the army of Israel won the day.

Like Moses, we can learn two lessons from these events. First, if we are willing to involve God in our daily challenges, we, too, will experience God's prevailing power. By focusing on God and not our battles, God will be the victor and God will be glorified.

Second, if we are to be successful in prayer, we must rely on others to encourage and support us in our task. Likewise, if we want others to be successful, we must encourage and support them.


* WEB - The World English Bible, a Public Domain, Modern English translation of the Holy Bible developed by Rainbow Missions, Inc. URL: ebible.org

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