INTRODUCTION: Israel comes to a way station in the wilderness and must fight some new battles. Her first battle is with the elements: there is no water. This shows us that the natural problems of life can be a great trial for us and can tempt us to murmur against God. The second battle is with a visible enemy: Amalek. Amalek grieves Israel through much of the Old Testament. We battle Amalek in the form of the flesh.

1. WATER OUT OF THE ROCK (Exodus 17:1-7 [1] And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the commandment of the LORD, and pitched in Rephidim: and there was no water for the people to drink. [2] Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why chide ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt the LORD? [3] And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst? [4] And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me. [5] And the LORD said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go. [6] Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. [7] And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the LORD, saying, Is the LORD among us, or not?
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1. The Travels of Israel (Exodus 17:1And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the commandment of the LORD, and pitched in Rephidim: and there was no water for the people to drink.
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1. From the wilderness of Sin
1. According to the commandment of the Lord
2. He led them by the cloud and fire (Exodus 13:21-22 [21] And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: [22] He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.
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3. God brought them to a place of no water.
2. To pitch in Rephidim; NOTE: The Israelites were in Rephidim for the events of Exodus 17-18 and did not leave until Exodus 19:2For they were departed from Rephidim, and were come to the desert of Sinai, and had pitched in the wilderness; and there Israel camped before the mount.
   See All... when they depart to go to Mount Sinai.
3. There was no water to drink. NOTE: This is the second of four times the Israelites complain of no water in the wilderness.
1. The first time (Exodus 15:22-25 [22] So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water. [23] And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. [24] And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? [25] And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them,
   See All...) they kept wandering until they came to the bitter waters of Marah which God made sweet by having Moses cut down a tree and cast it into the waters.
2. The second time (Exodus 17:1-6 [1] And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the commandment of the LORD, and pitched in Rephidim: and there was no water for the people to drink. [2] Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why chide ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt the LORD? [3] And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst? [4] And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me. [5] And the LORD said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go. [6] Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.
   See All...) God gives Israel water out of the rock when Moses smites it with his rod.
3. The third time (Numbers 20:1-11 [1] Then came the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in the first month: and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and was buried there. [2] And there was no water for the congregation: and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron. [3] And the people chode with Moses, and spake, saying, Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the LORD! [4] And why have ye brought up the congregation of the LORD into this wilderness, that we and our cattle should die there? [5] And wherefore have ye made us to come up out of Egypt, to bring us in unto this evil place? it is no place of seed, or of figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates; neither is there any water to drink. [6] And Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they fell upon their faces: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto them. [7] And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, [8] Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink. [9] And Moses took the rod from before the LORD, as he commanded him. [10] And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock? [11] And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also.
   See All...) God gives water out of the rock the second time. However, Moses disobeys the Lord by smiting the rock again when he was supposed to talk to it.
4. The fourth time (Numbers 21:5And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.
   See All..., 16-18) God has the Israelites dig a well.
2. The Murmuring of Israel (Exodus 17:2-3 [2] Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why chide ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt the LORD? [3] And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?
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1. They chided with Moses. The word chide means to scold.
2. They tempted the Lord [to tempt the Lord means to provoke Him or to test His patience]; (Exodus 17:2Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why chide ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt the LORD?
   See All...; Numbers 14:22Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice;
   See All...; Deuteronomy 6:16Ye shall not tempt the LORD your God, as ye tempted him in Massah.
   See All...; Psalm 78:41Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.
   See All..., 56; 1 Corinthians 10:9Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
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3. They murmured against Moses (Exodus 17:3And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?
   See All...; Psalm 106:25But murmured in their tents, and hearkened not unto the voice of the LORD.
   See All...; 1 Corinthians 10:10Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
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1. The people gave credit to Moses for bringing them out of Egypt, rather than the Lord.
2. The people falsely accuse Moses of a desire to kill them, their children, and their cattle.
3. These are common sins of complaining.
1. Complaining unveils the heart (John 6:56-61 [56] He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. [57] As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. [58] This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever. [59] These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum. [60] Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? [61] When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?
   See All...; Jude 1:16These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.
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2. Complaining hinders education (Isaiah 29:24They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine.
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3. Complaining troubles the soul (Psalm 77:3I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah.
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4. Complaining breeds lies (Numbers 16:30-41 [30] But if the LORD make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the LORD. [31] And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them: [32] And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods. [33] They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation. [34] And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also. [35] And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense. [36] And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, [37] Speak unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, that he take up the censers out of the burning, and scatter thou the fire yonder; for they are hallowed. [38] The censers of these sinners against their own souls, let them make them broad plates for a covering of the altar: for they offered them before the LORD, therefore they are hallowed: and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel. [39] And Eleazar the priest took the brasen censers, wherewith they that were burnt had offered; and they were made broad plates for a covering of the altar: [40] To be a memorial unto the children of Israel, that no stranger, which is not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer incense before the LORD; that he be not as Korah, and as his company: as the LORD said to him by the hand of Moses. [41] But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the LORD.
   See All...; Deuteronomy 1:27And ye murmured in your tents, and said, Because the LORD hated us, he hath brought us forth out of the land of Egypt, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us.
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5. Complaining displeases the Lord (Numbers 11:1And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.
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3. The Word from God (Exodus 17:4-5 [4] And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me. [5] And the LORD said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go.
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1. Moses cried unto the Lord (Exodus 17:4And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me.
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1. What shall I do unto this people? The greatest problems we will have in this world will be with people, but the only eternal good we can do in this world is to make a difference with people.
2. They be ready to stone me.
1. Moses (Exodus 17:4And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me.
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2. Joshua and Caleb (Numbers 14:6-10 [6] And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes: [7] And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land. [8] If the LORD delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. [9] Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not. [10] But all the congregation bade stone them with stones. And the glory of the LORD appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel.
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3. David (1 Samuel 30:6And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.
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4. Jesus (John 8:59Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.
   See All...; John 10:31Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.
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5. Stephen (Acts 7:59And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
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6. Paul (Acts 14:19And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.
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2. The Lord gives His instructions (Exodus 17:5And the LORD said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go.
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1. Go on before the people.
2. Take of the elders.
3. Take your rod.
4. Go.
4. The Water from the Rock (Exodus 17:6Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.
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1. The presence of the Lord; “I will stand before thee there.”
2. The smiting of the rock – a type of the crucified Christ (1 Corinthians 10:4And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
   See All...; Isaiah 53:4-6 [4] Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. [5] But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. [6] All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
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3. The water out of the rock – a type of everlasting life (John 4:14But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
   See All...; John 7:38He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
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5. The Name of the Place (Exodus 17:7And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the LORD, saying, Is the LORD among us, or not?
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1. Massah – meaning temptation (Deuteronomy 6:16Ye shall not tempt the LORD your God, as ye tempted him in Massah.
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2. Meribah – meaning chiding or strife (Numbers 20:13This is the water of Meribah; because the children of Israel strove with the LORD, and he was sanctified in them.
   See All...; Deuteronomy 33:8And of Levi he said, Let thy Thummim and thy Urim be with thy holy one, whom thou didst prove at Massah, and with whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah;
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2. VICTORY OVER AMALEK (Exodus 17:8-16 [8] Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. [9] And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. [10] So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. [11] And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. [12] But Moses hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. [13] And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. [14] And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. [15] And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi: [16] For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.
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1. The Battle with Amalek (Exodus 17:8-10 [8] Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. [9] And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. [10] So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.
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1. Amalek attacked when Israel’s relationship was not right with the Lord (Exodus 17:7-8 [7] And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the LORD, saying, Is the LORD among us, or not? [8] Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.
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2. Amalek attacked Israel in Rephidim, which means “rests” (Exodus 17:8Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.
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3. Moses calls upon Joshua to gather the troops (Exodus 17:9And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand.
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4. Moses, Aaron and Hur travel up to the top of the hill (Exodus 17:9And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand.
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2. The People of God Prevail (Exodus 17:11-13 [11] And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. [12] But Moses hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. [13] And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
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1. Israel prevailed when Moses held his hands up, but Amalek prevailed when the hands of Moses went down (Exodus 17:11And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.
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2. Moses needed help in holding up his hands (Exodus 17:12But Moses hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.
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1. Moses’ hands were heavy.
2. They placed a stone under him so he could sit down.
3. Aaron and Hur each held up a hand of Moses.
4. Moses’ hands were steady until the going down of the sun.
3. Joshua and the people of God prevailed over Amalek (Exodus 17:13And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
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3. God’s Prophecy against Amalek (Exodus 17:14-16 [14] And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. [15] And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi: [16] For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.
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1. God promises to destroy Amalek (Exodus 17:14And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.
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1. God’s desire to preserve His words
1. Write this for a memorial in a book.
2. Rehearse it in the ears of Joshua.
2. God’s riddance of Amalek from under heaven
2. Moses builds an altar to the Lord (Exodus 17:15-16 [15] And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi: [16] For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.
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1. He calls it Jehovah-nissi [meaning The Lord my banner].
1. Used in context of a battle and victory over the Amalekites (Exodus 17:8-16 [8] Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. [9] And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. [10] So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. [11] And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. [12] But Moses hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. [13] And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. [14] And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. [15] And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi: [16] For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.
   See All...). Joshua led the army of Israel and Moses prayed while Aaron and Hur held up his hands.
2. The banner refers to a battle standard (Song of Solomon 6:4Thou art beautiful, O my love, as Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem, terrible as an army with banners.
   See All...; see also Psalm 20:5We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfil all thy petitions.
   See All...; Psalm 60:4Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah.
   See All...). Each unit in an army would follow behind its proper banner. Moses is teaching the Israelites that the banner they should follow is the LORD Himself. If they will look to Him, as Moses did in prayer during the battle, He will give them the victory.
2. Because the Lord has promised to make war on Amalek (Exodus 17:16For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.
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CONCLUSION: Many of the problems of the Israelites came from lack of faith in the Lord and His watchcare over them. They only saw the visible and did not look beyond. We have that problem too. We must learn to look to the God who is invisible as Moses did (Hebrews 11:27By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
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