This Is a Hold Up!

 “Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed; and whenever he lowered his hand, Am′alek prevailed.”  Exodus 17:11 

This story from the time of the Israelites’ wilderness journey is a brief account.  The people were journeying through an area called Reph’idim.  In the verses prior to this, we read of God’s provision of water for the people.  They had just witnessed a mighty miracle, in spite of their complaining against God. 

While they were encamped at this wonderful new source of water, a tribe of people called the Amalekites attacked.  Remember, the Israelites are a people who have just come out of slavery in Egypt.  They have been traveling through desert areas, and only recently had been able to replenish their depleted water. 

Moses encouraged Joshua and his men to go out and fight.  He promised to go up to the top of the hill with the rod of God in his hand.  (This is the same rod he stretched over the Red Sea, which God parted for them to cross.)  Joshua went out to battle, and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up the hill.  As the verse above notes, whenever Moses’ hands were raised, the battle turned to Israel’s favor.  Whenever his hands became weary and he lowered them, Amalek began to prevail. 

The next passage is the narrative of the turning of the tide: 

“But Moses’ hands grew weary; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat upon it, and Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; so his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.  And Joshua mowed down Am′alek and his people with the edge of the sword.”  Exodus 17:12, 13 

Moses was their great leader, but he was not invincible.  He grew tired.  There was only so much he could do.  His two companions, though, did not stand by and berate him:  “What’s wrong with you?  You’re the deliverer of our people!  Man up, and get those arms up, Moses!” 

No, instead, they stepped forward and supported him.  They gave him a place to sit and rest, and used their strength to support him in his weakness. 

This is an amazing story of how we can support our brothers and sisters in Christ.  By words of encouragement and prayer, we can be their strength at times when they are most fragile. 

I’d like to make further application, though.  We have many great leaders in the Church.  For Catholics, our leadership is found in our priests, bishops, the Magisterium, and our Holy Father, Pope Francis.  We also have many wonderful teachers and apologists.  All of these men are on the front lines of the faith, daily “holding up their hands” for their brothers and sisters. 

However, they are still men.  They still grow weary.  They need support.  

We just celebrated Priesthood Sunday on October 26.  Though many may have let this day slip by, it is not too late to begin showing your support of your local pastor and any priests who assist him.  A kind word, and a card of thanks for his ministry would surely be an encouragement.  And no priest I know would ever turn away volunteers to help with church ministries! Most of all, though, let us support them in prayer.  Every day, let us remember to mention their names when we are offering prayer for others.  Let us help them bear up under the ministry burdens they face, by holding them up in intercession. 

For they are holding us up in their prayers as we fight the “Amalekites” of our own lives. 

“The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects.”   James 5:16