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Day Two: Attacks on the Journey

The children of Israel continued on their journey south, approaching Mount Sinai. The wilderness was slowly changing from flat desert to mountains. We can picture narrow winding passes through the barren rocks of the hillsides, a change in the nature of the journey. Soon the children of Israel would be called on to fight battles with the people of the lands.

When they began the journey from Egypt, the children of Israel had no idea they would have to fight as an army. They thought of themselves as travelers, not as soldiers. But as they approached Mount Sinai, the men of Amalek attacked them in a peculiar way. Rather than wage a major war, the Amalekites preferred to wait in ambush and slowly pick off the weak and elderly who straggled behind. This continued for some time until Moses realized they would have to stop and face the Amalekites openly in battle. We hear Moses’ command to Joshua: "Choose us some men and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand" (Exodus 17:9). We can imagine Moses standing with his hands raised toward heaven while the Israelites fight the Amalekites in the valley below. As long as Moses’ hands were held toward heaven, the Israelites would win, but when his hands tired and he let them down, the battle would turn in favor of the Amalekites. Then two men, Aaron and Hur, took Moses and sat him on a stone and helped steady his hands. With this support the Israelites won the battle.

"And so it was, when Moses raised up his hand" means whenever the faith of those belonging to the spiritual church looked towards the Lord. This is clear from the representation of ‘Moses’ as God’s truth ... and from the meaning of ‘raising up one’s hand’ as spiritual power directed upwards, and so towards the Lord. Secrets of Heaven 8604

Prayer

Lord, sometimes I feel so alone on my journey. What a blessing it is to know that there are people that I can reach out to for support and also whom I can support. Help me to keep my eye out this week for people I can help. Teach me to be open to receiving the support that I need in my life to help me continue to look to and follow You. Thank you Lord. Amen.

Offering and Accepting Help
Today, how did I offer help?
Today, how did I accept help?

Reflection
What does it mean to look to the Lord in your life?

Download the Offering and Accepting Help, and Reflection Questions in printable form. (PDF)

Discussion Board
Share your thoughts on today's Journey in the discussion board.

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