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Exodus 17:8-13

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

8. Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. 9. And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. 10. So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11. And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. 12. But Moses’ hands [were] heavy; and they took a stone, and put [it] under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. 13. And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.

Exodus 17:8-13 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Exodus 17:8

Theological / Devotional

Then came Amalek. The Amalekites were descendants of Esau’s grandson, after whom they were named (Gen. 36:12). Separating themselves from their brethren at an early date, they seem to have become a leading tribe in the northern part of the Sinai Peninsula. Though a race kindred to Israel, they viewed with suspicion the occupation of their pastures by the Hebrews, and were bent upon their utter destruction (PP 300). Beginning with this first encounter at Rephidim, a long and bitter feud developed between the two nations. A year later the Israelites were defeated by the Amalekites, who joined forces with the Canaanites at Kadesh-bamea (Num. 14:45). During the period of the judges the Amalekites sought to subjugate Israel, but were defeated by the band of Gideon (Judges 6:33). Saul and David also repeatedly defeated (1 Sam. 14:48; 15:7; 27:8; 30:17, 18; 2 Sam. 8:12), and the last remnants of the nation were finally destroyed by the Simeonites during the reign of King Hezekiah (1 Chron. 4:41-43).

Fought with Israel. This battle began with a treacherous attack upon those at the rear of the long Hebrew column, “even all that were feeble,” when they were “faint and weary” (Deut. 25:18). This infamous attack was regarded by God as a personal insult, and though final retribution was long delayed it was never forgotten, for in due time God commissioned Saul to destroy them (1 Sam. 15:2, 3). It was because of the murmuring of the Israelites that God permitted the Amalekites to attack them at Rephidim (PP 298).

By SdaBc