Aaron and Hur

Scripture:

Exodus 17:10-13 Joshua did what Moses ordered in order to fight Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went to the top of the hill. (11) It turned out that whenever Moses raised his hands, Israel was winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, Amalek was winning. (12) But Moses' hands got tired. So they got a stone and set it under him. He sat on it and Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on each side. So his hands remained steady until the sun went down. (13) Joshua defeated Amalek and its army in battle.

Observation:

This story is a dramatic one. It was Israel's first battle. They met the Amalekites at Rephidim. Joshua commanded the forces of Israel, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up on the mountain to pray. Moses had the rod of God in his hands.

The encounter was a dramatic seesaw of prevailing power. At times Israel would appear to be winning, and then the Amalekites; then Israel, then the Amalekites. Finally the issue of battle was decided. When Moses lifted up his hands in prayer, Israel prevailed. When he lowered his hands, the Amalekites prevailed. The soldiers on the field of battle were not determining the issue of victory by themselves, but the intercessors on the mountain were playing an integral role. See that beautiful picture of those intercessors on the mountain in your imagination? Moses, an old man, held up his hands with the rod of God in them but he grew weary. His friends Aaron and Hur took a stone and put it under him so that he could sit down on it; then they stood on either side and held up Moses' hands so that they would be steady. They did that all day long, "until the going down of the sun." And Joshua prevailed in that battle.

Application:

Aaron and Hur stood by Moses' side and held up his arms to ensure victory against Amalek. We need to "hold up the hands" of our spiritual leaders as well. Shouldering some responsibility, lending a word of encouragement, or offering a prayer are ways of refreshing spiritual leaders in their work.

As I read this passage I felt the Holy Spirit's nudge. The question formed in my mind, "who are your Aaron and Hur's?" It is important to note that WITHOUT these two men holding up Moses' hands, the Israelites would have likely lost the battle. As great of a leader that Moses was, he couldn't do it alone. He needed help, encouragement, strength and concern from his "team" of friends and supporters.

I took a moment as I was writing this blog to thank the Lord for my "Moses and Hur's." Why don't you do the same today? Take a moment and identify who you are thankful for. Who is it that sends you texts to encourage you? Calls you on the phone and "spur's you on" in your walk with Christ? Sends you cards of appreciation? Knows exactly when you need some encouragement?

When those folk come into your mind, go ahead and thank the Lord for them. Then, why not go a step further? Send that person a text, card, email or call them on the phone to say "thank you" for their involvement in your life. I plan to do it right now!

Prayer:

"Lord, I am thankful today for the "Aaron and Hur's" in my life. Down through the years I have had several of them. There have been times when I almost left the full-time ministry because I was discouraged, but you sent someone along to help me, encourage me, walk with me...support me. I thank you for them again this morning. Now Lord, may I be an Aaron in someone's life today. In Jesus name, amen!"