Exodus 17:8-16....Opressors will fall

When Israel came out of Egypt, their immediate physical oppressor Pharaoh and his people had been defeated by God and drowned in the Red Sea (Exodus 14:28). Yet other oppressors and enemies awaited them. Their first test was out of thirst. In Exodus 15 they complained about water, yet our God gave them water after 3-days( that apparently might have been a 3 day fast the Lord tested them with). In Exodus 16 they complained about food and meat, yet The Lord(Jehovah Jireh-the provider) provided for them. 

 

Now in Exodus 17:8-16, our focus scripture. Israel now had to face another physical enemy in the people of Amalek. These Amalekites were descendents of Esau. Esau, the same man who the descendants of Jacob keep pointing to as selling his birth right for food to his brother Jacob. Yet, here in the wilderness when God tested Israel for 3 days they sold their belief in God for water, yet when hunger came they exchanged the praises they had sang about God in Exodus 15 with complains, asking for food and water in Exodus 16. Believers know this, when we forget the goodness of God and decide to exchange praise for complains we must be prepared to face enemies on our own. 

Israel drank, ate and came to Rephidim which in the Hebrew means "rest" or "resting places". There, they thought they had all the worldly goods they needed, as our Sister mentioned in yesterday's exhortation , in Matthew 6:33, we seek first the kingdom of God and it's righteousness. 

Israel was not attacked in any location but at Rephidim the place of rest. Their enemy Amalek meaning "people who come to lick or take all"  infact  were devourers. 

The devourer will come when you are resting. He will come when you feel comfortable. He will come when your integrity and substance are well filled up. He will come when your seasons of fulfillment are here.

Devourers don't come unless there is something to devour. Hence Christ Jesus said in John 10:10....The thief comes not but to steal, to kill and destroy. Can a thief steal where there is nothing to steal? Can the killer kill when there is no life? Can the destroyer destroy when there is nothing to destroy? 

Amalek is an "aborter" of dreams. Amalek is the one who comes when you come out of Egypt. "Amalek" compared to the Hebrew word for doubt "Safek" has the same numerical value in Hebrew numerology. Amalek  can therefore be likened to that self-doubt when God has exalted you. Amalek comes to fight your purity and holiness when God says He has made you Holy and sanctified you by His Word (John 15:3, John 17:17). Amalek will make you question what direction God is going with you. Amalek will cut you short even when you are still growing in the grace.

Yet child of God here is what your Father says, for your sake, He will rebuke the devourer (Malachi 3:11), by obedience and trust in Him no weapon formed against shall work(Isaiah 54:17).

You are on a journey with The Lord and His Spirit (Isaiah 48:16), sent to be a sign to your family, sent to be a sign to your nation, sent to be a sign and wonder to your generation (Ezekiel 12:6)

Don't let present conditions of lack, uncertainty and desperation open you up to Amalek the devourer, keep your hand up high like Moses on the hilltop, find godly friends like Aaron and Hur to hold up your hand high when your arms get tired and allow Yehoshua(Joshua.....Jesus) to fight your enemies.

I pray that you will complete your race and every power that seeks to abort your destiny in the name of Jesus they are destroyed. 

Amen!!!

From Him to His servant....2022