March 9, 2025
Exodus 17:8-16
“Victory in the Valley”
Service Overview: Here, Israel faces Amalek in battle, but victory comes as Moses lifts his hands to God. This text highlights the need for spiritual support, and the truth that God, our Banner, fights for us when we depend fully on Him.
Memory Verse for the Week:
“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” (Psalm 20:7)
Background & Technical Insights:
- The Amalekites lived in the desert south of Canaan around Kadesh (Ge 14:7), otherwise known as the northern part of the Negev (Nu 13:29; 14:25, 43). Amalek was the son of Eliphaz (Esau’s eldest boy) by a concubine named Timna (Ge 36:12) and became a “clan” or “chief” in the tribe of Esau (Ge 36: 15). Thus the Amalekites are distant cousins of the Israelites. (Walter C. Kaiser, Jr., Exodus, Location 5282)
- This was the first military skirmish in Israel’s long campaign to win the Promised Land. The Amalekites were nomads who traced their lineage back to Jacob’s brother Esau (Gen. 36:12), and thus there were longstanding ethnic tensions between the two tribes. It is not certain why the Amalekites attacked the Israelites on this particular occasion. They may have felt threatened by Israel’s sudden arrival in their territory, or they may have been trying to protect their water supply. Rephidim was an oasis, and the Amalekites must have been dismayed to watch so many people with so many animals come and drink “their” water. (Phillip Graham Ryken, Preaching the Word: Exodus, 457)
- The enmity between Israel and Amalek is a running theme through the next centuries of history. A year later, the Amalekites again attacked Israel, this time in alliance with the Canaanites (Numbers 14:45). The Amalekites were part of the reason why the people turned back from entering the promised land (Numbers 13:29; 14:25, 43, 45), which led to a whole generation dying in the wilderness. The Amalekites went on to oppose God’s people in the land (Judges 3:13; 6:3, 33; 7:12; 10:12; 1 Samuel 15:1-8; 30:1-20)—just as Exodus 17:16 predicts. (Tim Chester, Exodus for You, 133)
- [Here] Joshua, from the tribe of Ephraim (Num. 13:8), is introduced here for the first time in the Pentateuch. Undoubtedly, Moses was confident of Joshua’s leadership skills (cf. Exod. 24:13; 32:17; 33:11; Num. 11:28). (T. Desmond Alexander, Exodus, 145)
- This is the first mention of Joshua in the Bible, but he will be named two hundred more times before Scripture ends. He was born in Egypt and named Hoshea, which means “salvation.” Later, Moses changed his name to “Joshua—Jehovah is salvation” (Num. 13:8, 16), which is the Hebrew equivalent of “Jesus” (Matt. 1:21; Heb. 4:8). (Warren Wiersbe, Be Delivered: Exodus, 108)
What should capture our attention about this battle against the Amalekites?
- The necessity for Joshua to engage the enemy.
(vv. 9-10, 13)
[In] 17:8-16 Israel engaged with Amalek in their own necessary defense. God makes his people able, and calls them to various services for the good of his church. Joshua fights, Moses prays, both minister to Israel. (Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary, Exodus 17)
The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord. (Proverbs 21:31 NIV)
- The intercession and dependence of Moses upon God to help win the battle.
(vv. 9, 11)
[Moses’] actions were an unmistakable sign of dependence upon God alone to win the battle. Moses was holding his staff, the instrument of divine power and the token of God’s covenant promise. By holding it up to Heaven, he was appealing for God to defend his people. (Phillip Graham Ryken, Exodus, 460)
It was customary for the Jews to lift up their hands when they prayed (Ps. 28:2; 44:20; 63:4; 134:2; 1 Kings 8:22, 38, 54; 1 Tim. 2:8), and since Moses held the staff of God in his hands, he was confessing total dependence on the authority and power of Jehovah. It wasn’t Moses who was empowering Joshua and his army; it was the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, “the LORD of Hosts.” (Warren Wiersbe, Be Delivered: Exodus, 108)
- The crucial role of community in persisting through the battle.
(v. 12)
Being disconnected from the local church, for whatever reason, is a dangerous way to live. Not only do these “ lone rangers” miss out on the blessings of functioning within the context of the body of Christ, but like lone sheep away from the safety of the flock and the watchful care of the shepherd, they are vulnerable to predators of every sort. (Nancy Leigh DeMoss, Holiness, The Heart God Purifies, 137)
- The Lord’s use of means in securing the victory.
(vv. 9, 11, 12, 13)
God could have sent angels to annihilate the enemy (Isa. 37:38), but He deigns to use human instruments to accomplish His purposes. Joshua and his army would trust God and fight, Moses and his associates would trust God and intercede, and God would do the rest. In this way, God’s people would grow in faith and God’s name would be glorified. (Warren Wiersbe, Be Delivered: Exodus, 108)
Conclusion… What does this passage have to teach us about our own battles?
- To win the battle, you have to be in the battle.
(Ex. 17:10-13; Deut. 30:19-20; Luke 6:46-47; 1 Cor. 3:9; Phil. 2:12-13; James 1:22)
Do not be naïve. Do not forget that you are in a battle. Israel’s story is our story. They had been redeemed and were on their way to the promised land (like us), but on the way they faced enemies (so will we). Moses discovered that prayer is more powerful than the problem (cf. Eph 3:20-21; 6:18-20). (Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Exodus, 110)
The devil visits idle men with his temptations. God visits industrious men with His favors. (Matthew Henry, Commentary, 1 Sam. 6:13)
- To win the battle, you need support through the battle.
(Gen. 2:18; Psalm 133:1; Prov. 27:17; Ecc. 4:9-10; John 13:34-35; Acts 2:42-47; Romans 12:4-5; 1 Corinthians 12:25-27; Galatians 6:2; Hebrews 10:24-25; 1 Peter 4:10; 1 John 1:7)
The attack of the Amalekites is a solemn reminder that God’s people come under assault from the forces of evil. We need to be unified in defending those who are most vulnerable to attack from others. (T. Desmond Alexander, Exodus, 148)
Autonomous Christianity never works, because our spiritual life was designed by God to be a community project. (Paul David Tripp, Dangerous Calling, 39)
Though true Christianity uniquely involves a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, it is also a corporate experience…Christians cannot grow spiritually as they ought to in isolation from one another. (Gene Getz, Encouraging One Another, 10)
- To win any battle, you must depend on God persistently for victory.
(2 Chr. 7:14; Psalm 20:7; 34:17; 55:22; Isaiah 40:31; Mat. 7:7-8; Luke 18:1; Phil. 4:6-7)
In our battles we must fight like Joshua, but we also must hold up our hands to God’s throne and say, “It is out of my control.” We must go to the throne of grace and say, “Help me!” We need courageous, Joshua-like warriors who will take the gospel to hard places, fight injustice, and serve the needy—but all of it must be done in a spirit of dependent prayer. (Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Exodus, 109)
God is the difference between victory and defeat, and it is by prayer that we depend on him to win the battle. The victory depends on prayer because ultimately the victory depends on God. (Phillip Graham Ryken, Exodus, 463)
As in all warfare, the two essential elements in victory are knowing your enemy and knowing your resources. (Sinclair Ferguson, Healthy Christian Growth, 19)
Prayer is the key that unlocks all the storehouses of God’s infinite grace and power. (R.A. Torrey, The Prayer of Power, 25)
Gospel Connection…
Through Christ, we have been delivered, and the ultimate victory we need has been secured.
(Isaiah 53:5; John 8:36; John 16:33; 1 Corinthians 15:57; Colossians 1:13-14; Colossians 2:15; Hebrews 2:14; 1 John 5:4-5)
[This battle] was a historical event that pointed to a higher spiritual reality. We have been delivered from the Egypt of our sin, and now we are heading for the land of glory. Our ultimate victory is certain because Jesus won the crucial battle when he died on the cross. Speaking of his great enemy the devil and all the demons of Hell, Scripture says that Jesus, “having disarmed the powers and authorities . . . made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross” (Col. 2:15). (Phillip Graham Ryken, Exodus, 458)
Spiritual Challenge Questions…
Reflect on these questions in your time with the Lord this week, or discuss with a Christian family member or Life Group.
- Why was it necessary for Joshua to engage the enemy, even though God ultimately secured the victory? How does this apply to the spiritual battles we face today?
- What are some battles in our own lives where we are tempted to sit back rather than engage?
- Moses’ lifted hands with the staff symbolized dependence on God. How does this connect to the role of prayer in our spiritual battles?
- What does this passage teach us about persistent prayer?
- Why was it important for Moses to have Aaron and Hur supporting him during the battle? How does this show the importance of community in our walk with Christ?
- How can we invite others into our struggles and support one another?
- God could have defeated the Amalekites without human involvement but chose to use Joshua’s army and Moses’ intercession. What does this teach us about how God works through His people? How does understanding this change our perspective on our responsibilities in the Christian life?
- How does the Gospel remind us that our ultimate victory has already been won through Christ? (Col. 2:15; 1 Cor. 15:57) How does this truth give us confidence and hope in our present struggles?
Quotes to note…
The Devil is our greatest enemy (1 Peter 5:8), and he uses the world and the flesh to oppose us (Eph. 2:1–3). Just as Israel was delivered from Egypt by the power of God, so God’s people today have been delivered from “this present evil world [age]” (Gal. 1:3–4) through the victory of Christ. (Warren Wiersbe, Be Delivered: Exodus, 106)
The two episodes placed side by side in chapter 17 insightfully illustrate the capability and reliability of God in both providing for and protecting his people. Even when the Israelites display blatant distrust in God, the Lord nevertheless is gracious and generous in dealing with them. This response is in keeping with his plan that the Israelites’ wilderness experience should be a time of training for them. (T. Desmond Alexander, Exodus, 147)
A banner or standard was what soldiers looked to in battle. It was the rallying point, the sign by which the army stood firm. But the banner to which Israel looks is not held by Joshua on the battlefield, but by Moses on the hill. The banner is God himself. God in Christ is our rallying point, our standard, our sign of victory. (Tim Chester, Exodus for You, 133)
Now everyone who comes to faith in Christ is free from the powers of death and Hell. However, the enemies of Christ have not yet surrendered; so on our pilgrimage we continue to be ambushed by Satan. We are engaged in a constant spiritual struggle to resist temptation and carry on with the work of Christ and his gospel. The attacks we face are often sudden, but unlike the wars of the Old Testament, they are spiritual, not physical. The Scripture says that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Eph. 6:12). (Phillip Graham Ryken, Exodus, 459)
Israel’s success against Amalek was determined by the uplifted hand of Moses: “And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand Amalek prevailed” (v. 11). The significance of Moses’ attitude is clearly defined in several scriptures. The uplifted hand was emblematic of prayer, the supplicating of God: “Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto Thee, when I lift up my hands toward Thy holy oracle” (Ps. 28:2); “I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting” (1 Tim. 2:8). (Arthur Pink, Gleanings in Exodus, Location 4750)
the external and visible symbol means nothing unless (1) it is divinely appointed and (2) the obedient use of the external form is accompanied by the internal and invisible motions of the heart and spirit of a man. Thus the prophetic-symbolic action of the constantly upraised hands do signal the fervent prayers of the heart of Moses as he witnesses the battle. (Walter C. Kaiser, Jr., Exodus, Location 5308)
There is an invisible war between the powers of darkness and the children of light. In the course of these hostilities, God’s enemies often attack God’s people, and the only way for us to prevail in this spiritual battle is by persevering in prayer. (Phillip Graham Ryken, Exodus, 457)