Go up near to God.

[The Four Stages Storytelling Sermon: Proposition-Problem analysis-Gospel presentation-Consequence]

Exodus 17:8-16 (Summary)

Go up near to God.

 

A. God leads us to rest.

{At Rephidim the Amalekites came and fought the Israelites.}(Verse 8).

The Israelites who escaped from Egypt left the Desert of Sin and went to Rephidim according to God's guidance. Lephidim means ‘a place to rest.’ But there was no water(Verse 1). Israel people grumbled against Moses and fought against them. After all Israel was soon under the attack of Amelekites. God wants us to go into the rest. We believers who go on the journey of salvation should try to enter the rest in the faith of God's good guidance(Hebrews 4:11).

 

B. Disbelief is a major obstacle.

{At Rephidim the Amalekites came and fought the Israelites.}(Verse 8).

God provided a safe place(Rephidim) but Israel grumbled(Massah) and quarreled(Meribah). ‘Then’ God made Israel attacked by Amalek. That is the result of the complaint and the fight without following the guidance of God. Disbelief is a major obstacle toward the rest(Hebrews 4:1). It was meaningful that God led Israel into the desert(Exodus 13:17). Like that, the way of our desert lives is also meaningful.

 

C. Go up near to God.

{Joshua obeyed Moses and went to fight the Amalekites, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went to the top of the hill.}(verse 10).

The day after, Amalekites’ attack began. The Israelites' chosen soldiers went out to defend. And Moses, Aaron and Hur went up to the top of the hill. When Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. The message from this battle tells us that there is a link between work on the mountain and work below the mountain. “Go up to the mountain” means “near to God.” When we go closer to God, God fights for us.

 

D. Those who near to God get rest.

{Moses said, “I lifted my hands toward the Lord’s throne. The Lord will fight against the Amalekites forever.”}(Verse 16).

Moses was greatly moved by the victory of God. Then Moses built an altar and named it “Jehovah Nissi” other word, “The Lord is my banner.” Moses wanted to pass on this principle of faith to his descendants. If you neglect your spiritual life because your life is weary and heavy, you lose to Satan. The more difficult you are, the more you have to pray. God hears and gives strength to rise(Isaiah 40:31). And those who near to God will receive the comfort and rest from heaven.

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Text

Exodus 17:8-16 (NCV)

8  At Rephidim the Amalekites came and fought the Israelites.

9  So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some men and go and fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill, holding the walking stick of God in my hands.”

10  Joshua obeyed Moses and went to fight the Amalekites, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went to the top of the hill.

11  As long as Moses held his hands up, the Israelites would win the fight, but when Moses put his hands down, the Amalekites would win.

12  Later, when Moses’ arms became tired, the men put a large rock under him, and he sat on it. Then Aaron and Hur held up Moses’ hands—Aaron on one side and Hur on the other. They kept his hands steady until the sun went down.

13  So Joshua defeated the Amalekites in this battle.

14  Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write about this battle in a book so people will remember. And be sure to tell Joshua, because I will completely destroy the Amalekites from the earth.”

15  Then Moses built an altar and named it The Lord Is My Banner.

16  Moses said, “I lifted my hands toward the Lord’s throne. The Lord will fight against the Amalekites forever.”