VICTORY BY INTERCEDING HANDS

“And so it was, when MOSES held up his HAND, that ISRAEL PREVAILED; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed” – Exodus 17:11

GOD brings Prevailing VICTORY by INTERCEDING HANDS: “And so it was, when MOSES held up his HAND, that ISRAEL PREVAILED; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword” (Exo.17: 11-13). Whenever Moses’ hands lowered from fatigue, Joshua started losing immediately. Ultimately, Moses’ upheld hand defined Israel’s prevailing Victory!

It was a time of war for Israel, just as today, we who believe in Christ war with the enemy of our souls. But in this ancient war, the enemy was easy to spot – the Amalekites. According to Deuteronomy 25:17-18 Amalek attacked Israel from behind, attacking the weak, the stragglers, and the weary. Therefore, God determined to “blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven” (Dt.25:19b). Joshua was in the thick of the battle, with Moses standing on top of the hill holding up the rod of God in his hand. As long as his hands were raised, Joshua and his men prevailed. The strongest of men will have to lower their hands after sometime. That’s what Moses endured.

Moses’ muscles would have fatigued and his arms drooped after a while. However, it didn’t take long for two of his disciples – Aaron and Hur – to observe what was happening and his need for help. They stepped in, one on either side of their shepherd-leader, and held up his hands so the battle could be won (v.12). Without them, the enemy would have defeated, plundered, and enslaved Israel. But because two men supported their leader to fulfil his God-given task, victory was secured where defeat seemed inevitable. Let’s also note that they did not tie his hands or handcuff him; they simply held up his hands with theirs. They may not have agreed with him on some points, but they realized that they could get the victory if they held up Moses hands!

So long as Moses’ hands were upraised, the Israelites prevailed; not because they witnessed the scene, and took it as directing them to continue the fight, but because God gave them strength, vigour and courage, while Moses interceded. His raised hands were divinely-empowered instruments of Intercession. He literally stood between Israel and the Amalekites in the spirit realm; he stood between death and life; between victory and defeat: “So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one” (Eze.22:30). This was not the only time Moses literally stood between Israel and judgment by interceding on their behalf. He was at times willing to give his life up for them not to be destroyed (Exo.32:.30-32).

The situation is similar today. The enemy has brought the battle to the doors of churches and believers. The pastor-shepherd and intercessors have key roles to play in helping God’s people win life’s battles; but they cannot fulfil the tasks alone. They need mutually helping hands to come alongside. However, more important than the education, training, or skill of Aaron and Hur, was their availability to be used to hold up Moses’ hands. God’s method of operation is still to connect each of us to be part of winning the battles the Body of Christ faces. This may not always be on the evangelistic frontline as Joshua and his soldiers. It may be in a seemingly insignificant role of holding up the arms of kindred leaders or brethren, using our own hands!

Paul wrote these peerless words: “I desire therefore that the men PRAY everywhere, LIFTING UP HOLY HANDS, without wrath and doubting” (1Tim.2:8). We can be recipients and vessels of Prevailing Victory and of mutual help by kindred hands!