Exodus 23.

 

 

Israel’s First War and the Secret of Victory (Exodus 17:8-16)

 

 

God had the Israelites, who were slaves in Egypt, spread the blood of the Passover lamb and led them out of Egypt,

calling them the army of Jehovah. The training of Jehovah's army is clearly described in Exodus. He protected and guided

over 2 million people with a pillar of fire and a pillar of cloud, and gave them ritual training. God made them throw a tree

into the bitter water of Mara and changed it into sweet water, allowing them to hold on to the mystery of the cross.

When they were starving due to lack of food, God fed them with manna and quails and set rules for them to live in obedience

to the word of God. When they arrived at Rephidim, all the people complained because there was no water.

God became the rock and knelt before Moses. He had Moses strike the rock with his staff and from the rock living water

poured out. It was established as a living covenant that we must live only by holding on to Christ.

 

 

1. Israel completes basic training and fights its first war.

1) Joshua fought with Amalek, and Moses went up to pray (verse 10).

2) The victory or defeat of the war was determined by Moses who prayed (verse 11).

3) Moses held the staff of God in his hand and raised his hand high toward the throne.

4) The work of God's kingdom, prayer must be given more priority than practice.

 

 

2. The Lord trained leader Moses in advance.

1) Moses raised his hand every time God struck Egypt with 10 miracles.

2) Moses already had many experiences in which God helped him when he raised his hand to God.

3) For us believers, this world is a spiritual battlefield.

4) We must faithfully fight this spiritual battle with the victorious Lord.

 

 

3. Go out and fight carrying the victorious banner of the Lord.

1) God told Moses to write the details of the first war, the war against Amalek, in a book and have them recite it.

2) Moses prayed with a staff in his hand facing the throne of heaven.

3) After Moses won the battle, he built an altar and called it Jehovah Nissi.

4) This is the mission of each local church today.

 

Conclusion: Like Moses, we too must raise our hands in prayer.

1) With the help of Aaron and Hur, Moses raised his hands and

prayed toward the throne of God all day long.

2) Today, countless battles take place in the areas of our believers’ lives.

3) May the banner of Jehovah Nissi be raised wherever you are.

4) The act of planting the banner of Jehovah is our prayer.

 

 

God made Israel not to forget this victory and to celebrate it. The expression ‘to hear by heart’ can be changed to

‘to hear until one’s ears are pierced.’ In other words, in this entire process of victory, do not forget what God has done

and leave everything to God and follow Him. This is because this battle of Amalek serves as an example for the war

to conquer Canaan that Joshua will carry out in the future.

Moses built an altar to thank God for winning the war. ‘Jehovah Nissi’ means ‘Jehovah is my banner.’

The flag is a symbol representing the military. God wants us to live knowing that we are the army of Jehovah.

God wants to establish His kingdom through you and me. The life of a believer is to fight a war every day to establish

the kingdom of God through our lives. If we hold up the victorious banner of the Lord and follow Him,

the Lord will protect us, guide us, and give us victory.

I pray in the name of the Lord that you will hold on to 3 todays as the banner of Jehovah Nissi and

that you will be victorious in the field of life.