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congregation who stood at a distance； beheld the glory of the Lord； but had
the cloud been removed； they would have been slain by the terrible
brightness of Him who abode therein。
In their thirst the people had tempted God； saying； 〃Is the Lord among us；
or not？〃〃If God has brought us here； why does He not give us water as well
as bread？〃 The unbelief thus manifested was criminal； and Moses feared that
the judgments of God would rest upon them。 And he called the name of the
place Massah； 〃temptation；〃 and Meribah； 〃chiding；〃 as a memorial of their
sin。
A new danger now threatened them。 Because of their murmuring against Him；
the Lord suffered them to be attacked by their enemies。 The Amalekites； a
fierce； warlike tribe inhabiting that region； came out against them and
smote those who； faint and weary； had fallen into the rear。 Moses； knowing
that the masses of the people were unprepared for battle； directed Joshua to
choose from the different tribes a body of soldiers； and lead them on the
morrow against the enemy； while he
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himself would stand on an eminence near by with the rod of God in his hand。
Accordingly the next day Joshua and his company attacked the foe； while
Moses and Aaron and Hur were stationed on a hill overlooking the
battlefield。 With arms outstretched toward heaven； and holding the rod of
God in his right hand； Moses prayed for the success of the armies of Israel。
As the battle progressed； it was observed that so long as his hands were
reaching upward； Israel prevailed； but when they were lowered； the enemy was
victorious。 As Moses became weary； Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands until
the going down of the sun； when the enemy was put to flight。
As Aaron and Hur supported the hands of Moses； they showed the people their
duty to sustain him in his arduous work while he should receive the word
from God to speak to them。 And the act of Moses also was significant；
showing that God held their destiny in His hands； while they made Him their
trust； He would fight for them and subdue their enemies； but when they
should let go their hold upon Him； and trust in their own power； they would
be even weaker than those who had not the knowledge of God； and their foes
would prevail against them。
As the Hebrews triumphed when Moses was reaching his hands toward heaven and
interceding in their behalf； so the Israel of God prevail when they by faith
take hold upon the strength of their mighty Helper。 Yet divine strength is
to be combined with human effort。 Moses did not believe that God would
overcome their foes while Israel remained inactive。 While the great leader
was pleading with the Lord； Joshua and his brave followers were putting
forth their utmost efforts to repulse the enemies of Israel and of God。
After the defeat of the Amalekites； God directed Moses； 〃Write this for a
memorial in a book； and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua： for I will
utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven。〃 Just before
his death the great leader delivered to his people the solemn charge：
〃Remember what Amalek did unto thee by the way； when ye were come forth out
of Egypt； how he met thee by the way； and smote the hindmost of thee； even
all that were feeble behind thee； when thou wast faint and weary； and he
feared not God。 。 。 。 Thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek from
under
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heaven； thou shalt not forget it。〃 Deuteronomy 25：17…19。 Concerning this
wicked people the Lord declared； 〃The hand of Amalek is against the throne
of Jehovah。〃 Exodus 17：16； margin。
The Amalekites were not ignorant of God's character or of His sovereignty；
but instead of fearing before Him； they had set themselves to defy His
power。 The wonders wrought by Moses before the Egyptians were made a subject
of mockery by the people of Amalek； and the fears of surrounding nations
were ridiculed。 They had taken oath by their gods that they would destroy
the Hebrews； so that not one should escape； and they boasted that Israel's
God would be powerless to resist them。 They had not been injured or
threatened by the Israelites。 Their assault was wholly unprovoked。 It was to
manifest their hatred and defiance of God that they sought to destroy His
people。 The Amalekites had long been high…handed sinners； and their crimes
had cried to God for vengeance； yet His mercy had still called them to
repentance； but when the men of Amalek fell upon the wearied and defenseless
ranks of Israel； they sealed their nation's doom。 The care of God is over
the weakest of His children。 No act of cruelty or oppression toward them is
unmarked by Heaven。 Over all who love and fear Him； His hand extends as a
shield； let men beware that they smite not that hand； for it wields the
sword of justice。
Not far distant from where the Israelites were now encamped was the home of
Jethro； the father…in…law of Moses。 Jethro had heard of the deliverance of
the Hebrews； and he now set out to visit them； and restore to Moses his wife
and two sons。 The great leader was informed by messengers of their approach；
and he went out with joy to meet them； and； the first greetings over；
conducted them to his tent。 He had sent back his family when on his way to
the perils of leading Israel from Egypt； but now he could again enjoy the
relief and comfort of their society。 To Jethro he recounted the wonderful
dealings of God with Israel； and the patriarch rejoiced and blessed the
Lord； and with Moses and the elders he united in offering sacrifice and
holding a solemn feast in commemoration of God's mercy。
As Jethro remained in the camp； he soon saw how heavy were the burdens that
rested upon Moses。 To maintain order and discipline among that vast；
ignorant； and untrained multitude was indeed a stupendous task。 Moses was
their recognized
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leader and magistrate； and not only the general interests and duties of the
people； but the controversies that arose among them； were referred to him。
He had permitted this； for it gave him an opportunity to instruct them； as
he said； 〃I do make them know the statutes of God； and His laws。〃 But Jethro
remonstrated against this； saying； 〃This thing is too heavy for thee； thou
art not able to perform it thyself alone。〃 〃Thou wilt surely wear away；〃 and
he counseled Moses to appoint proper persons as rulers of thousands； and
others as rulers of hundreds； and others of tens。 They should be 〃able men；
such as fear God； men of truth； hating covetousness。〃 These were to judge in
all matters of minor consequence； while the most difficult and important
cases should still be brought before Moses； who was to be to the people；
said Jethro； 〃to God…ward； that thou mayest bring the causes unto God： and
thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws； and shalt show them the way
wherein they must walk； and the work that they must do。〃 This counsel was
accepted； and it not only brought relief to Moses； but resulted in
establishing more perfect order among the people。
The Lord had greatly honored Moses； and had wrought wond