Well, we are in Exodus 17:8–16; my title for this study is “Human Weakness and Divine Strength.” I just want to comment that in these chapters, God is pulling back the curtain and revealing his power to us. And not just his power, his willingness to unleash his power for the good of his children. The thing that is most important to look for in Scripture is God's revelation of himself. And it's all over the history of the Old Testament.
Then Amalek came and fought with Israel at Rephidim. So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose for us men, and go out and fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” So Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought with Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the sword.
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write this as a memorial in a book and recite it in the ears of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.” And Moses built an altar and called the name of it, The LORD Is My Banner, saying, “A hand upon the throne of the LORD! The LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.”
One thing you want to notice here is we get the introduction of this man, called Joshua, who is going to be a major figure in the future of Israel. But what we have here is another picture of the power and provision of the Lord. They are, like children now, facing their first major enemy on the way to the promised land. And God will defeat anything or anyone who stands in the way of his plan for his people.
But there is more. There is, here, a stark picture of human weakness and infinitely powerful divine strength. The children have no ability to defeat the Amalekites on their own. There are men of Israel sent out, but they only have success when the hands of Moses are raised. This is a picture of the total lack of independent strength.
But there is more. Moses himself is a picture of weakness. He can't even hold his hands up as long as needed–he needs help. But here's what's important and so encouraging to observe. God doesn't mock his children because of their weaknesses. He isn't irritated at Moses because Moses lacks strength. God calls the weak. He doesn't call us because we are strong, but because he is.
I can never read this passage without hearing the words of the Apostle Paul, 2 Cor. 12:7–10:
So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you., for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardship, persecution, and calamities. (Now check this out.) For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Our weakness is not in the way of God's plan, but our delusions of strength are. Our weaknesses are part of his plan because in that weakness we discover true strength!
Questions for Personal Reflection or Group Discussion
1. What would you say are your greatest weaknesses that prevent you from moving through life at the pace you’d prefer? How have you seen God use your weaknesses to accomplish his desires for both you and others?
2. In what ways have your delusions of strength been a spiritual roadblock in your life? How have you seen God transform your delusions of strength into humble neediness and reliance on him?
3. What kinds of perspective shifts need to happen in your heart as you consider all the ways you are strong and all the ways that you are weak?
4. For the Christian, why is true power found in weakness? How is that truth off-putting to you? How is it enormously liberating and relieving?
For Younger Children:
1. Why do you think being strong is such a positive thing to us as human beings?
2. How do you feel about someone when they are weak? How do you feel about yourself when you are weak?
3. Do you think strength can actually be a weakness? What about weakness being a strength? Why do you think the Bible says, “When I am weak, then I am strong.”?
For Older Children:
1. Do you think strength can actually be a weakness? What about weakness being a strength? Why do you think the Bible says, “When I am weak, then I am strong.”?
2. How do you normally feel about yourself or someone else when weakness comes out and shows itself?
3. For the Christian, why is true power found in weakness? How is that truth off-putting to you? How is it enormously freeing and relieving?
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