Chapter 22: Water from a Rock and the Battle at Rephidim
Q1 - Joshua is mentioned for the first time in scripture in this chapter. What do you know about Joshua’s early life before he became the next leader of the Israelites? Why didn’t Moses himself go fight? Why did God specifically direct that Joshua hear and know about what Moses was to write in the scroll or book?
A1 - Very little personal information is mentioned in the scriptures about Joshua. About all we know is that he was somewhat younger than Moses and his father was Nun from the tribe of Ephraim. The fact that he is old enough here to battle the Amalekites means he had to have been born in captivity in Egypt.
Moses was already 80 years old when he went back to Egypt to confront Pharaoh. Although he was a strong and capable person, he needed to be the overseer of the battle and not down in the thick of things. Moses knew that God would be the one to give the Israelites the victory, and he needed to position himself to be able to commune with God.
God wanted to make sure Joshua knew what had transpired that had made it possible for for the Israelites to win the battle against the Amalekites. Even though Joshua was the one fighting the battle, it was God who gave the victory. Later, Joshua would be the one to carry on the leadership of the Israelite people after the death of Moses, something for which God had undoubtedly already planned.
God also wanted recorded in history what the Amalekites had done against the Israelites. He wasn’t through with them yet, and He needed for future generations to know what had transpired back at this point in time. Later, both Saul and David would fight the Amalekites, but it would be during the reign of Hezekiah when they would finally be completely wiped out as God had decreed (see 1 Chronicles 4:41–43).
Q2 - What was the significance of Moses holding up his hands during the battle with the Amalekites? What about his staff?
A2 - The staff, which God had made sure Moses took with him when he went back to Egypt (see Exodus 4:17), had no innate power of its own. The miracles came from God, the Creator, not from the piece of wood He had created.
God's people through the centuries have frequently lifted up their hands in prayer to God. Moses, by lifting his staff toward heaven, appealed to God for His help and intervention. It’s quite likely he was also praying fervently during this time as well.
David fervently called upon his God in Psalm 28. He said this in verse 2 (ESV): “Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy, when I cry to you for help, when I lift up my hands toward your most holy sanctuary.”
Paul wrote this to Timothy in 1 Timothy 2:8 (ESV): “I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling.”
James stated in James 5:16 (NKJV): “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”
Q3 - The Amalekites were kinsmen of the Israelites. Why did God condemn them so harshly?
A3 - From ancient times, God’s people have practiced hospitality, taking in strangers and feeding and caring them. Particularly in such desolate areas, there were usually zero accommodations available. The very lives of travelers often depended upon the kindness and hospitality of strangers.
It’s highly likely the Amalekites knew the Israelites were their kinsmen. Additionally, with the towering pillar of cloud which accompanied them, there could be little doubt that God was with this group of people.
Instead of meeting with their leaders and finding out their intent, whether they were simply passing through or desired to permanently settle in this territory, they chose instead to sneak up from behind and attack their weakest and most vulnerable members. What the Amalekites did to their kinsmen was unconscionable.