"... when Moses held up his hands, Israel prevailed..."

When the Amalekites attacked Israel in Rephidim Moses went to the top of the hill and gazed down at the skirmish from on high. He had two men, Aaron and Hur, supporting his hands to the left and the right. Moses knew his mission. He had to keep his hands lifted in order to ensure victory from below. But a time came when he needed the support of his brothers to either side. (Full story at Exodus 17:8-15.)

I'm sure there were times when his mind drifted, when he could do no more, and he completely resigned himself to the strong arms of those around him.

Aside from the exhortation to have a couple of covenant buddies to help us in our missions, this passage also provides a foreshadowing of Christ on the Cross. Like Moses, Christ was lifted above a valley and his persistence in following through had everything to do with our victory over sin. There may have been times when he, too, looked into the bleak souls of the criminals, crucified on either side, and - seeing their utter helplessness in the face of such an enemy - was encouraged in Love to stay the Course of his Mission. Sometimes one look into the eyes of one completely ravaged by sin raises within us the almighty compassion of the Creator.

Pastoral Fire

Even in the most magnificent events God can be relied upon to care for us in the most minute detail.

The Israelites had been plummeted with one crises after another. First it was Moses' appearance as their redeemer, the signs and plagues he and Aaron performed before the hardened heart of Pharaoh. Then it was the chaos of finding first born lambs, slaughtering them, splashing their blood on the doorposts, and the horror of the wailing of all uncovered families mourning the deaths of their beloved. They were told to make haste, to leave their homes, and - before they could process it all - they had been miraculously rescued from hundreds of years of bondage, just like that.

Then the Bible records, "God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although it was near... they may change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt" Exodus 13:17.

God knows our humanity better than his humans. For their sake he chose to take them the "long way out" in order to calm their hearts, minds, and souls. His sheep had been traumatized and, as the Great Shepherd, he understood that. In addition, he knew the possible threat of war would push them completely over the edge, casting doubt on their very redemption. With this in mind he diverted them into peace. It was the longest and most loving way into the Land of Promise.

Sometimes we may feel caged and rattled, sometimes we may want to "get there" on the fast route and wonder why God just doesn't take us in a bee-line into the place we all know we're going to end up anyway. But he knows the manner of our beast. He directs steadily and strategically, each day being orchestrated for us to arrive wholly healed and ready to rock in the sweet spot of his perfect timing.