Abraham led His Servants into War, armed and equipped by
Abraham. Chief Servant: Eleazar. Allied with: Bera, King of Sodom
Birsha, King of Gomorrah Sninab, King of Admah Sheeber,
King of Zeboiim King of Bela
The Enemy's People & Leaders
Chedorlaomer, King of Elam, Arioch King of
Ellasar Tidal, King of Nations
Object
To regain Lot and the spoil taken from Sodom. Chedorlaomer,
of Elam went to war with several nations in an imperialistic
venture. He conquered the Rephaims,(Ashteroth-Karnaim and the Zuzims
in Ham and the Emims in Shaveh Kiriathaim, the Horites in Mt. Seir
(wilderness). They turn and come then to Enmishpat (Kadesh) and
smote all the country of the Amalekites & Amorites.(vs4-7) He
then goes out against the King of Sodom and Gomorrah and Admah,
Zeboiim and Bela, or Zoar. in vale of Siddim. The King of Elam,
Tidal of Nations and Amraphel of Shinar (Babylon) and Arioch King of
Ellasar align themselves.(vs9) The obvious object is defense of the
allied nations Chedorlaomer is coming against.
Strategies
Abraham funds the warfare.
Location
Vale of Siddim, the Salt Sea [noted as full of slimepits vs 10:
the pits cause
Outcome
Abraham and Servants win the battle, recover Lot and his
family.
Spoils
Spoils are offered by the King of Sodom to the conquerors,
Abraham refuses.
Spiritual Implications
Spiritual implications are intense in this passage. Firstly, the
War was won under the power of God alone; secondly Abraham put the
reservoir of his ownership and all that he held dear at the
forefront, funding the battle (surrender and dying to self). But one
of the most important, was that as victory was gained, the King
offers Abraham the spoils of war, and riches as a reward. Abraham
refuses the reward, in utter faith that made him the Father of
Faith, expressing that he would not take riches from the government
because he wanted no earthly king to say that he and not God had
made him rich. Lastly, instead of religiously insisting this of his
followers, he makes it clear his choice is his own, and that they
are free to make their choices.
Implications for Faith
Battles are only won in the power of the LORD
The faith required in victorious warfare fought spiritually and
not carnally, are fought in surrender, obedience, and
self-less-ness: an emptying of self before God, such that God has at
his disposal all we are and have.
Upon victory, God alone deserves the 'credit'.
The highest form of Glory and Tribute Abraham had to offer God,
was complete surrender: he would acknowledge God only as the one who
made him, gave him victory or gave him reward. He refused obligation
to earthly kings as man's gifts often have hidden agendas, and
What set Abraham apart is a Faith that is complete, singular and
characterized by utter Liberty. He never required for others the
decisions he made himself. He never bound others religiously. He
walked with God in love and t
Amalek confronts and makes war with Israel to prevent them
from proceeding further. Moses makes plans and counterattacks
Amalekites to provide passage through desert on way to Canaan.
Strategies
Moses waits until the day after Amalek confronts
Stands on top of 'the hill' vs10
When Moses holds up hand (praise & regard of God) Israel
prevails
When he lets down his hand, Amalekites prevail
Aaron and Hur 'stay his hands' when he tires. vs11-12
Direct frontal attack..
Battle lasts till sundown.
Location
Plains of Rephidim, and hill above vs 8
Outcome
Joshua as leader, leads Israel against the Amalekites; God gives
complete victory, so complete that God says to say to Joshua, "I
will utterly put out the memory of Amalek from under Heaven."
vs14
Spoils
Safe passage for Israel towards Canaan
Ridding of a great and brutal enemy of Israel
The Lord as Banner (Jehovah Nissi)vs15
Lord declares war on Amalek from 'generation to
generation'.
Spiritual Implications
'The Lord inhabits the praises of Israel', his people
In praise and regard to God, there is victory. When Moses became
weary, all Israel failed.
Moses could not accomplish by himself what was needed, Joshua
had to fight in the natural, and Aaron and Hur had to edify Moses.
While praise was essential to Victory, Thanksgiving was
essential to the establishment of the victory and peace and
relationship with God. Moses builds an altar.
The altar is declared "Jehovah-nissi" the Lord our Banner.
With praise, obedience, and thanksgiving, the more permanent
solution of continued disempowering of the Amalekites is
rendered.
Implications for Faith
A preacher once said, "It's amazing what praising can
do"1
Why praise and thanksgiving work or what the mechanisms are are
never spelled out, but they work in giving victory and plain paths
to God's people. It is probably because it is perfect order: His
sovereignty is recognized, our relationship to him is correct, His
order is intact, and the communion of love in God is manifest. It's
hard to be angry at God when praising Him. Also, the Holy Spirit,
the power of God manifest to us on earth, is present and empowers
us.
The leaders of Israel ascend to the high place, the hill of God
where the battle is fought in the spiritual. The natural battle
occurs in the valley. The leaders isolate themselves for true
worship and also have clear vision of the battle from a vantage
point.
Praise and thanksgiving are pre-eminent weapons: when we grow
weary, we need other formidable leaders in Christ to lift our hands
for us, proverbially. We need other saints to pray for us, to praise
the Lord in our name, to encourage and edify us to do the same.
Foundation: the battle belongs to the Lord. The battle in the
spiritual is more important than the battle in the natural, it is
won there or lost there. This is a pre-eminent point of faith and
takes strong, surrendered leadership so that the rest of the body
may have victory and find rest.
Cross-references & Other Critical
Facts
Moses comes from Hebrew 'Moshe' means 'drawn'. He is the
Shepherd of Israel Call
of Moses. Joshua rendered is "y'shua" or salvation, the name for
Christ, of which he is a shadow. Aaron is the High Priest and Hur,
means 'splendor'2, and is related to Caleb, Bezaleel (Ex
31:1) and is a prince of Midian . 'Rephidim' means 'rests', it is
the place Moses strikes the rock for water.
The Children of Israel: People, although
disobedient
The Enemy's People & Leaders
The Amalekites, and Canaanites on the
mountain.
Object
Because of the idolatry and disobedience of Israel, because
they would not fight against the Amalekites even though Joshua and
Caleb and the say they could take them, Moses pronounces judgment on
the fearful children of Israel, declaring that it would be the next
generation who would see the promise: the generation of Egypt who
had been delivered from oppression, labor, Egyptian slavery and
poverty through the great wonder of parted waters and the miracles
wrought by God through Moses, now was fearful and disbelieving
because another enemy, a race of 'giants' (men of great stature)
blocked their way to taking Canaan. Moses renders the judgment that
the present generation would perish in the desert. Later, though,
apart from God's timing and will, they decide in their own strength
they can take the mountain. The object is to take the mountain of
the giants, of the Amalekites and Canaanites, and proceed to the
Promised Land, but they attempt to do it in the natural: apart from
God, it their own wisdom, will, and strength.
Strategies
Moses,disuades them from trying. The loyal and faithful of God,
stayed in the camp vs 14:44. Also, Moses, departs not from the camp,
nor does the Ark of the Covenant. Israel attempt to fight a
formidable enemy without the Lord among them, in direct disobedience
to the true men of God.
Location
Wilderness of Paran and Kadesh, near Eshcol, on the Mountain of
the Anakim, Amalekites & Canaanites. Israel encamps in the
valley. War is on the Mountain
Outcome
Amalekites and Canaanites come down off mountain and slaughter
the ones that went to war 'even unto Hormah'. vs45 'discomfited and
smote' them.
Spoils
No spoils: loss: Victory for the enemies of God.
class=first>Spiritual Implications
Disobedience to God leads to defeat
Disobedience to God's anointed and proceeding without them,
brings defeat
Any endeavor without the presence of God (Aron Ha Kodesh) brings
defeat for Israel.
God's timing and command are essential: the same acts, fighting
God's adversaries, when out of God's timing and direction can be
deadly sin. God commands order.
"Giants" were not the issue of taking the land. Fear was the
issue. "Perfect Love casteth out fear". There was no faith: it was
all done in the natural, carnally, apart from the way of God. [much
like we do now]
Note that when Israel acting apart from God and Moses tries to
take the enemy it is reversed from when they have victory over the
Amalekites in Rephidim. Here, in defeat, it is the people who go up
on the mountain in stead of God's anointed, and God's anointed stay
in the valley. They go up without God, without the Ark (akin to us
to the Holy Spirit), and completely in the natural. They lose
mightily, bring great losses for Israel.
Implications for Faith
Towards a Godly purpose, seek God, go forth in His timing and
His Way only.
Do not try to fight the battles of the Lord your way or in your
plans.
Do not attempt to do in the natural what can only be
accomplished in the spirit.
Fight first in the Spirit: faith overcomes fear, praise and
thanksgiving overcomes the enemy, opens doors and brings victories.
Respect and have regard to God's anointed leaders: they may not
be the ones in authority /position in the church, but within a
congregation, there are men and women who walk closely with God.
Their hallmarks are: obedience and surrender, not usurping authority
even if the authority is carnal, although they will stand against
it; using spiritual weapons such as prayer, praise faith, etc
instead of natural weapons of gossip, overthrow etc. Great
discernment is needed.
Cross-references & Other Critical
Facts
When Canaan is taken years later, Caleb and Joshua reap the
benefit of their reward. Caleb is given the mountain of the Anakim
for a possession: he was not afraid to take the "Giants". Caleb
means 'dog' or bold. He is the son of Hur who is involved later in
raising Moses' hands in victory over the Amalekites. The Ark of the
Covenant stayed in the valley in the midst of believing Israel,
unbelieving Israel went about destroying themselves and the rest of
Israel was threatened by their actions.
To regain prisoners of the Israelites, taken by the Southern
Canaanites
Strategies
Israel vows a vow to the Lord, that if He will give victory, .
Location
The place was named 'Hormah' by Moses.
Outcome
Israel totally defeats the Canaanites, destroys them and their
cities. Renames the cities, "HORMAH"
Spoils
Peace and passage for Israel
Spoils of the Canaanites including cities.
Delivers those taken captive.
class=first>Spiritual Implications
Seeks God first, before battling Canaanites, even though
Israel's spies were taken captive
Victory is given by a vow. The smaller covenants of Israel were
honored on the way to Canaan.
A war within the Lord's will delivers the captives, results in
peace.
Implications for Faith
Vows before the Lord are imminent covenants: once made, and
God's part is kept, they must never be rescinded or broken. The only
provision of exception is that a husband can revoke a wife's
covenant in the Law.
This occurs after the death of Aaron, the High Priest, but
Israel continues in the light of the Lord.
Great victory but because of weariness, Israel faints in faith
following: right after this incident, the trial of fiery serpents
and the healing through God's ensign lifted high occurs. Those of
faith are healed and go on living. The natural HIgh Priest dies, but
immediately, the true High Priest is
prophesied/shadowed.
Cross-references & Other Critical
Facts
Hormah:"devoted to destruction" originally called Zephath Judges
1:17;near the site where Amalekites defeated Israel because of
unbelief. Later given to Judah [Open Bible ref]
Israel/Othniel, Son of Kenaz;Caleb's Nephew: Name means "God is
Force": earlier, under Joshua he captures Kirjath-sepher[city of
books]. He is married to Caleb's daughter. He is counted as Israel's
first Judge.
The Enemy's
People & Leaders
Mesopotamians,King of Mesopotamia:
Chushanrishathaim("extra wicked")
Object of the
Battle
War was because the Children of Israel had fallen into
captivity because of 1) intermarriage with the canaanites, leading
to 2)worship of baalim and groves. Captivity ensued: an 8 year
Babylonian captivity-Othniel's objective: deliver Israel from
captivity. [Only other time Israel was under Babylonian rule was the
greater Assyrian/Babylonian exile.
Strategies of the Battle
God "raised up" Othniel as a deliverer
Spirit of the LORD came upon him
3) He judges (ruled Israel and goes out to war (frontal attack)
Place of the Battle
Mesopotamia
Intelligence
Implicit would have been knowledge of the Mesopotamians: Israel
had lived 8 years among them: the Jews had to learn their culture,
but the Mesopotamians, did not have to learn the Jews' culture: such
is the pride of a conquering nation. The Lord even turns their sin
to their advantage. (verses 4-5)
Results of the Battle
The Lord delivered Israel
The Lord delivered Churshanrishathaim into Othniel's hands.
Israel has rest for 40 years.
Reward
freedom for Israel
peacetime for 40 years
Deliverance from heathen culture
Spiritual Implications
Prayer & Turning back to God:A leader arises
(Othniel) when Israel prays.(v9)
Realization of Sin: It took 8 years of Babylonian
captivity before Israel finally realized the reason for captivity. (
false worship/intermarriage: an indicator of turning from God's true
commans and relationship with Him.)
Leading of the Holy Spirit: Othniel does not
proceed until the Spirit of the Lord comes upon Him. A lesson
learned from the days of Joshua. Only following the filling of the
Holy Spirit does he make war. The victory then is imminent.
Ruling in the Holy SpiritHe also rules Israel only
in the Spirit. (10)
Implications for Faith
Wait for the Lord in spiritual battles."Wait on the Lord, be
strong and take heart and wait on the Lord". Ps 27
The Battle is the Lord's: Fighting in your own strength puts you
at no more advantage than the enemy has; and God may allow defeat to
teach you the difference.
Othniel (God is Force) is raised up as a deliverer (savior)
upon supplication.
The victory in battle is determined before the battle begins,
only when in the Lord's time: see also Joshua's battle against the
Southern Canaanites.
Again the sovereignty of God in battle is underscored.
Cross-references & Other Critical
Facts
1Joshua's Battle against Southern
Canaanites 2Comparison with the Assyrian-Babylonian
Captivity prophesied in Isaiah, Jeremiah, Micah etc.
3Name meanings derived from notes in The Open
BibleKJV.
Amorites Leaders: Adonizedek, King of Jerusalem Hoham,
King of Hebron, Piram: King of Jarmuth Japhia: King of
Lachish Debir: King of Eglon (Josh 10:3)
Object of the Battle
Five Kings of the Amorites hear of Israel's vitories and
union with Gibeonites. Feeling threatened, the attach the Gibeonites
(Josh 10:3-5) who ask Joshua for help. Joshua then attacks the
Amorites by the Lord's bidding. (Josh 10:6-8)
Strategies of the Battle
Israelites traveled from Gilgal overnight to Gibeon (10:9)
chased them to Bethoron where God killed most of the Amorites with
great hailstones all the way to Asekah (10:10, 11) during battle at
Gibeon, God makes Sun to stand still for a whole day (the moon as
well) (Josh 10: 12-14) Israel returns to Gilgal---Amortie Kings hide
in cave at Makkedah, Joshua rolls stones over mouth of cave, Israel
chases and kills most of enemies.
Place of the Battle
Originated at Gibeon, then to Bethhoron, and finally ended at
Azekah and Makkedah. Israelites journed from Gilgal to fight. (Joh
10:9-10)
Results of the Battle
The Gibeonites were threatened with war by Adonizedec, King of
Jerusalem and cohorts because the Gibeonites had made peace with
Israel. The Gibeonites send to Joshua to help them protect their
cities; Joshua complies. The Result is a great slaughter at Gibeon,
chasing them all the way to Bethhoron, Azekah and Makkedah. At
Azekah, the Lord casts down great stones from heaven, hailstones are
responsible for more deaths than the battle. God gives a sign of the
sun standing still
Spiritual Implications
Joshua, while being deceived into forming an
alliance with the Gibeonites, nonetheless honors it and his honor
and loyalty is rewarded by God in a promise of victory ahead of
battle. As Joshua goes forth, God does abundantly above all asked or
expected: those killed by the act of God (hail/stones) are more than
in the natural battle, and the enemies, while targeting the
Gibeonites are the formidable enemies of Israel as well. Joshua did
not have to conduct a bloody warfare: many perished by fear and
unbelief, in a futile escape. The absolute certainty of the Victory
being God's alone is in the indelible sign of the Sun standing
still: a sign in the heavens of the Power of the God of Israel.
There is some historical evidences in astronomy that this event may
be supported.
Implications for Faith
Honor alliances and Loyalties : God will see the reward
Trust only in God for the Victory
Wait until it is promised
Battle in God's strength and way
Walk forward in action in the natural, committing the thing to
the LORD
Attribute the victory in battle to God: understanding His
sovereignty
When a formidable sign is given, look for God's meaning and
purpose: e.g. When the Sun stood still after the Hail had defeated
Joshua's enemies; it was a confirmation of a)God being the Agent of
battle and b)God being utterly sovereign: if he could end the battle
in an afternoon from Heaven, he could cause the Sun he created to
stand still.
Cross-references & Other Critical
Facts
A note of comparison to the Sun-stilling is the other heavenly
phenomena in scripture: for Hezekiah, he command the Sun back one
hour; on the Day of Jesus' atonement and Death, the Sun disappears
from the sky, on the day he is born a star the like of a supernova
appears, and in the endtimes, the atmospheric events will be
phenomenal: a blood moon, the sun darkened, the skies rolling back,
etc.
1Notes and Research by E. Best footnotes and references
available upon request. noteTopical Index, The Open
Bible, King James Version
1Notes and Research by Brendan Best, E. Best footnotes and
references available upon request. orignal design by Brendan Best
(c)1999 Victory Over Amalekites:
1Rev.Gil Masengill; NC
2The Open Bible: King James Version. Thomas Nelson,
Publ.:Nashville; 1990.
