The Pulpit Commentary — Exodus — Volume 2 — Section 74

Christ and God, wiLhc•ut antagonism. 2. Israel will fight------0.utifully-and inspired thereto. II. PILGRIM WARRIORS MAY BE TAKEN AT A DISADVANTAGE, See Dent. XXV. 18. 'l'he attack of Amalck was-I. Sudden. 2. On an undefended rear. 3. On the faint. 4. Un the demorali,sed by sin. Trace the analogies in moral conflict. UJ. Ou& BAN1IER COMPENSATES FOR ALL DISADVANTAGE. Jehovah-Nissi-Christ uur banner. See Is. xi. 10-12; Rom. viii. 3i; Rev. xii. 11; Constantine's "In hoe 1,1gno." 'l'he banner Christ :-1. RaJ1ie.s to decision. Christ lifted up in the realms of thought, domestic life, business, social life, political life, men must take sides; must answer the question, What think ye of Christ? A Christ-side to every moral question. Reason why Christian men not always on the same side in reference to particular questions ( e.g., abstinence) may be, because in actual conflict issues get confused. But wilful trimming not permissi_ble. Nothing like the conduct of the Frenchman, who at the outbreak of the revolut10n wore both cockade and tricolour, one under one coat lappel, the other under th~ ?ther. Rather should we be like Hedley Vicars, who, the morn mg after the great dec1s1on for God, unfurled his banner by laying an open Bible ,:m his table for all his comrades to see. 2. Is a memorial of victorie.s achieved. It was i<o with the rod of Moses (go over instances). So is it with regimental ensigns, inscribed oft with glorious names, e.g. Salamanca, Vittoria, etc. Picture the shot-rent, tattered banners, hung under vaulted roof, for a memorial. So Christ-he shines before us in the light of ten thousand victori~n "his bead many crowns." Recall the history of the Church, public and more private, its confessors and martyrs. 3. Is a farce therejfYT'e (ver. 11). The moral power for a regiment in the possession of its colours; its demoral- isation when lost. Christ seen in the host. Illustration: Castor and Pollu.x at the battle of Lake Regillus. 4. Is direction in the fray. No man in a battle can see it, understand it. Leadership necessary by trumpet, by signal, by aide-de-camp, by banner. So was it here. Moses directed the battle by the standard in his hand. So Christ to every soldier-saint. We may not fight for our own hand, nor according to our own whims; but take direction from him. 5. Is appeal far heavenly help. That banner- 11ol.e of Moses was not only for encouragement and lead to Israel, but also was an appeal to God for that aid which ensures victory. So, wherever Christ is, the intercessor is. 6. Is earne_st of victory. Christ is a force that cannot fail (Rom. viii. 37).--R. Vers. 8---16.-.Amalelc. Various circumstimces are to be noted in connection with this attack of Amalek on Israel. 1. It was unprovoked. "Then came Amalek" (ver. 8). 2. It was unfriendly. The Amalekites were descended from a grandson of Esau, and so were related to the Israelites (Gen. xxxvi. 12). 3. It was bitterly hostile. This fierce and warlike tribe attacked Israel in the rear, and with great cruelty smote those who had fallen behind, whether from natural infirmity or from weariness and faintnesR in the march (Deut. xxv. 18). This was a peculiarly malignant and vindictive act, and as perpetrated upon the people with whose well-being God had specially identified him- self, was never to be forgotten. It was in truth one of those wrongs which burn themselves into the memory of a nation, and never can be forgotten. A special Nemesis waits on acts of flagrant inhumanity. 4. It was not without knowledge of the mighty works whi,ch God had wro'Ufjht far Israel. We may be certain of that from what was said in eh. :xv. of the effects produced on the surrounding peoples by the deliverance of the Red Sea. The Amalekites knew that the children of Israel were the people of Jehovah. They knew wha~ great foings Jehovah had done for his nation. They probably shared in the fear which these wonders of Jeh~vah had inspired. T~eir hostility to Israel, indeed, may partly have sprung from thJS cause. The opportumty seemed given them of making a successful raid upon a people whom they both dreaded and despised, and they hastened to avail themselves of it. Knowing that the Israelites were inexperienced in war, and being themselves numerous and powerful, they may have counted on an easy victory, especially as the people were fatigued with marching and encum~red with baggage, wi~h vi:omen and children, an:d "".it~ the aged an~ ~nfirm. It was a time well chosen for delivenng an attack, and for rnfhctmg a mortal lllJUry on the advancing host. 5. lt was the first attack of its kind. And this circumstance gives it a rnry special significance. It makes it typical. In the iRsue of the conflict with Amalek is to be seen the result of the whole conflict, prolonged down the ages, between en. XVII. 8-16.) THE IlOOK OF EXODUS.