The Amalekites fought with Israel

Exo 17:12  But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. 

                                                                                                                    

It was Israel’s first encounter with war since they came out of Egypt. The Amalekites came and fought with Israel. Joshua was instructed to lead the Israelites against the Amalekites. Moses, Aaron, and Hur went to the top of hill to observe the battle. No doubt it was a great encouragement to the people to see Joshua before them in the battlefield and Moses above them upon the top of the hill. And, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. “But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun” (Exodus 17:12).

Thank God for people like Aaron and Hur. I’m sure Moses was glad of their assistance in supporting his arms.

What is the lesson for us? TEAMWORK!

Teamwork lightens the load. Moses could not do it alone. And neither the church leaders. The work of the church is so large and diverse that the preacher or elders cannot do it alone. The scripture says we are labourers together with God (1 Corinthians 3:9). John says we are “fellowhelpers to the truth” (3 John 1:8). Are you in the team?

Teamwork is love in action. Do you know how many preachers have quit the ministry as a result of stress? Do you know why many are afraid to become elders of a church? The answer: Stress from working alone. The scripture exhorts us to “Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). Do you know which law is it referring to? The law of love, of course: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another” (John 13:34). Teamwork is a loving action towards another brother. Aaron and Hur wouldn’t have held up Moses’ hands if they hated him.

Teamwork multiplies results. The sum is always greater than its parts. An engine by itself is not much of a use. But when the wheels, body, and all other parts are put together, you have a magnificent car. So, one person cannot achieved much, but when all help out together, much work can be achieved: “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour” (Ecclesiastes 4:9).

God wants us to work together. Nehemiah did not build the walls of Jerusalem alone; he had the rest of the Jews working with him (Nehemiah 2:18). Moses had Joshua, Aaron, and Hur as his co-workers. Paul had many co-workers (Colossians 4:11). Jesus did not work alone either; He had twelve apostles. I like this verse: “For we are labourers together with God” (1 Corinthians 3:9). It means we are labourers, not loiterers or spectators. It means we are God’s fellow workers. What an honour it is to have God as fellow-worker. Are you working with God?

You may not be a Moses or Joshua leading the people but you can be Aaron or Hur as supporting roles. Likewise, every talent is important in the kingdom of God: “And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you” (1 Corinthians 12:21).

The supporting roles are as important for without Aaron and Hur, Israel would lose the battle. You are important in the work of the church. We thank God for the many workers who are supporting the elders and preachers in the work of the Lord; they are our Aarons and Hurs. Are you in the number too?

Jimmy Lau

Psa 119:97  Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.