Moses and the Amalekites

Moses and the Battle with Amalek (and the Amalekites)
Exodus 17:8-16

After God stood before Moses upon the rock in Horeb, and Moses struck the rock and water came out of it, then Amalek came and fought with Israel.

And Moses said to Joshua, "Choose some men, and go out and fight with Amalek: tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand." So Joshua did as Moses said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron and Hur went up to the top of the hill.

And it happened, when Moses held up his hand, Israel was winning the battle, and when he let down his hand, the Amalekites were winning. But Moses' hands became tired, and so Aaron and Hur took a stone, and put it under Moses, and he sat on it, and Aaron and Hur held up Moses' hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. And so Moses' hands were steady until the sun went down.

And Joshua won the battle with Amalek. And the LORD said to Moses, "Write this down in a book for a memorial, and tell it to Joshua, that the LORD has shown that He will have war with Amalek from generation to generation."

And so Moses built an altar, and called its name Jehovah-nissi - the LORD my banner.

Memory Verse: Exodus 17:11 "And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed...."

Questions:
1 Who did Moses choose to lead the battle with Amalek?
2 What was Moses going to do when the battle was on?
3 What happened when Moses held up his arms?
4 What did Aaron and Hur do when Moses got tired?
5 Why do you think Moses held up the rod of God?

Answers:
1 Joshua
2 Stand on top of the hill with the rod of God in his hand
3 Israel was winning the battle
4 They each held up one of his hands
5 Because Moses was calling upon God for the victory, and he was to continue calling upon God until the end of the battle.

Vicki C. Gross/June'03

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