THE MAN ON THE MOUNTAIN

While Joshua was in the valley battling the Amalekites, Moses, Aaron, and Hur were on the mountain interceding in prayer. Aaron was Moses’ brother. Josephus suggests that Hur was Moses’ brother-in-law, Miriam’s husband.

In Moses’ hand was “the rod of God” (Exodus 17:9, KJV, NKJV) or “God’s staff” (CSB, ESV, NASB). Interestingly, “the rod of God” … “God’s staff” is mentioned only twice, here and in Exodus 4:20.

When Moses lifted the staff high above his head, the Israelites prevailed in battle. When Moses’ arms grew weary and he lowered the staff, the Amalekites gained the advantage. To assure victory, Aaron and Hur stood beside Moses and held his arms high. Eventually, the defeated Amalekites withdrew. “So Joshua defeated Amalek and his army with the sword”

(Exodus 17:13).

Moses couldn’t do it on his own. He needed help. He needed his brothers to stand beside him. Jesus had something to say about that… “If two of you on earth agree about any matter that you pray for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there among them” (Matthew 18:19–20). We are better and stronger together.

Do you have a brother or two who stand beside you? Cultivate prayer-partners. 

And, don’t you wish we had someone on the mountain praying for us … Someone who would hold the “rod of God” high to assure our victory against the enemy that assails us?

We do!

Jesus, high on the mountain, intercedes for us. “Christ Jesus is the one who died, but even more, has been raised; he also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us” (Romans 8:34). And … “If God is for us, who is against us?” (Romans 8:31).

“… think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, KJV).