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Yesterday, as I was observing a branch on the ground, I was brought into remembrance of the story of Moses holding up the staff as the Israelites fought to secure the victory against the Amalekites. Moses held the staff of God, withstood the weight (kabed), and gave all of his physical strength to hold it up; and yet he persevered. How? Observing these verses in their text, we see the miraculous power of God at work through Moses in the battle. Moses stands as the one on whom the battle is determined. If he chooses to drop the staff in his own comfort, the battle results in a defeat. If he maintains a hold on the staff, raising it up, there is victory.
One might think it is simple to choose to lift up the staff no matter what, since the battle is determined by it. But how many times do we choose to neglect prayer? How many times do we neglect reading the Word? Do we always pray for those around us? Moses here is an intercessor in the battle. An obedient servant of God. But there is more here to observe. Why? Why did Moses choose to forsake comfort? He pushed himself to exhaustion before anything changed. The simple answer to the question is to look at his motives. Who was Moses as a leader? What did he care for? Whom did he care for? He was a shepherd, and a good shepherd loves their sheep. It would not be far-fetched to suppose that Moses went the length he did because of his love for others.
The staff that Moses bears above his head is a reminder of Jesus going the length that He did. Just as Moses arms were lifted up, Jesus’ hands were lifted up in a declaration of victory on the cross. A victory that was nailed and not held up by man. A victory that bore the weight of the world. A battle for mankind. A Banner of victory that waves for eternity. Moses could not bear the weight of victory alone for this battle. It is in this that he is given rest, not only in the lifting up of his arms by Aaron and Hur, but in the rest upon the rock.
The word used at the end of 17:12 is (Emunah); a steady faithfulness, a faithfulness that comes when supported by God in the end, just as it is at the end of the verse. Another foreshadowing of Jesus as being the rock to be supported by. We cannot fight these battles we face nor intercede in such a way without God. It will lead to exhaustion and a crumbling defeat. God gave the victory of this foreshadowing of the cross in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
When we give all that we have in love, He sees. Whenever we feel that we don’t have the strength left to continue, He provides rest. When we push through to the end of the race that has been set for us, He reminds us of our victory.
Jehovah Nissi. The Lord is my Banner.