Choose Men

"Then Amalek came and fought against Israel at Rephidim. So Moses said to Joshua, 'Choose men for us and go out, fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will station myself on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.'" -Exodus 17.8-9

God has led His people through the wilderness. He has provided food and water for them, but now they face a different challenge. Amalek has come to do battle with Israel. At the beginning of the journey God intentionally led them away from war, taking them around the land of the Philistines, but this time it won't be avoided. And it's time that the people got some experience in battle. They are going to have to fight for the Promised Land, and so God is providing hands on training on the journey there.

Moses has Joshua lead the army, and he instructs him to choose men to go out and fight. He doesn't say take every man, but to choose men. He knows that men were made for battle, and that it isn't the place for women or children. But he also knows that not every man is ready for, or capable of, battle. And so he instructs Joshua to choose some able bodied men to go out and fight for the people.

Moses at this point is an old man in his early eighties, and the battle field is no longer his place. But he will not sit in his tent waiting for news from the front lines. He will be up on the hill with the staff of God in his hand. He leaves the actual fighting to younger men, but he will be very much involved.

Men, this is part of our role, a big part. Are you willing to be chosen for battle? Some of us are in the prime fighting years of our lives. We are strong and capable, are you willing to offer your strength? Some have seen the last of their fighting days, but that doesn't mean you are useless. You can station yourself on the hill overlooking the battlefield.

Some are too young, and it is not yet time for them to be exposed to war. They are part of why we fight, to protect them from the horrors of battle and to make the world safe for them. But we must realize that the time will come for them to join us, or even for us to turn the the fight over to them. Let us prepare them, train them, so that when the time comes they will be men ready to be chosen.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor