The Pulpit Commentary — Exodus — Volume 2 — Section 78

mination. 2. An altar. "Jehovah our Banner," sign of a continuous war to be ended ~>nly with the fulfilment of God's purpose. In the fi&ht with Satan our Lord's victory lil the wilderness and on the cross, a pledge of final victory for all. 1. It is written in a book. Who has not read of it? 2. lt is co=emorated by a memorial, which all may see. " This do as a memorial of me." So long as there is evil in the world, so long there must be 'l'<"ar. God's soldiers must fight from generation to generation until the final victory be achieved. What is the secret of their strength? The banner uplifted upon the mountain. The rod of God. " It is written." The prophet uprears it. Priest and noble, in so far as they fulfil their office, unite to support the prophet. The fighters look up to the banner, and, encouraged by its steadfast maintenance, fight on till victory be secured.-G. Vers. 8-16.-The ducomjiture of AmaJek in Rephidim. I. AMALEK's IGNORANCE OF THE RESOURCES OF ISRAEL. A.malek attacked Israel in Rephidim. Rephidim stands very well as the type of all places and positions where human resources appear utterly wanting. It 'l'<"as a place where no water could be found, and where of course there must also have been little growth. Everything therefore would lead Amalek to say, "We shall easily conquer these people, being but an undisciplined, unmanageable crowd." How should outsiders understand anything of the way in which the Lord had led Israel? To Israel itself, the ·way had been one which it knew not; and to A.malek, &ble to judge only by first appearances it would seem the way of folly, rashness, and certain ruin. The Amalekites could very well see that there was no ordinary source of supplies open, and extraordinary sources were beyond their ken, beyond their powers of im.a,,,crination. We shall do well to consider, Lefore we oppose anything, what its resources are; apparent weakness may not only hide real strength, but may be almost the condition of it. We shall do well also to consider whether under erroneous notions of self-preservation, we may not often be found fighting against God. These A.malekites ,vent out to war against Israel upon motives of self-interest. It seemed to them if they did not destroy Israel, Israel would destroy them. Yet if they had only inquired, if they had only asked the question how this great company had managed to get so far, they might have been spared all anxiety and the great destruction which came upon them. The wisest plan would have been to leave Israel alone and wait; then it would have been seen that Israel '\\'as not going to stop in that district. II. THE WAY IN WHICH lsRAEL MEETS AMALEK.-1. The spirit and conduct of Moses are to be considered. Hitherto in his difficulties he has cried to the Lor<l, not of course despairingly, but feeling deeply his need of Divine direction. Here however he is ready for action at once. No mention is made of recourse to God, from which we assume that the line of action was at once apparent to Moses. The promptitude of his action is indeed remarkable; and yet it is clear from the result that there was nothing presump- tuous in it. Everything evidently accorded with the will and purpose of God. This was an occasion when Israel could do something, and they were bound to make the attempt. Moses was a man who appreciated the principle that God helps those who help them- selves. When the people were entangled in the land by the Red Sea they could do nothing; when they came into the wilderness with its scarcity of food and drink, they could do nothing; they had simply to wait on God's provisions. But here where fighting men appear against them, and there is space and time for resistance, Moses rightly takes mean;; to bring tbe strength of his people into operation. 2. The spi·rit and conduct of the people are also to be considered. Their faith, promptitude and com- posnre are also very remarkable, more remarkable even than the like conduct on the part of Moses. Those who had been so long, and only so lately, unbelieving and unmanage- able, all at once manifest a surprising readiness to meet the foe. Considering the way in which they had recently behaved, it is a marvellous thing that all was not thrown into panic and confusion, i=ediately on the appearance of Amalek. To what then can this composure and readiness be attributed? Evidently it was the effect-a temporary effect certainly, yet not insufficient for its purpose---0f the gift of the manna and of the water in a dry and thirsty land. God took care that all troubles should not come on them at once. They were strong with a strength Amalek knew nothing of; and it we.a in thefresh consciousness of that strength that they ma.de ready for the battle. We imagine that on this occasion, Joshua found abundance of volunteers, and that those who went out against Amalek were the very pick and pride of Israel's warriors. l':H. xvm. 1-12.) THE BOOK OF EXODUS. 81