(Ex 17:8-13)

Exodus 17:8 Then Amalek came to fight against Israel at Rephidim.

Exodus 17:9 Moses said to Joshua, 'Choose some men for us and go out to fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.

Exodus 17:10 Joshua did as Moses commanded him and fought against Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.

Exodus 17:11 When Moses held up his hands, Israel prevailed, but when he let them down, Amalek prevailed.

Exodus 17:12 And Moses' hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. So his hands remained steady until the sun went down.

Exodus 17:13 Joshua defeated Amalek and his people and put them to the sword.

This story follows the murmuring of the people of Israel in the desert because of the lack of water. What were the consequences of giving in to temptation? The liberation of the forces of evil represented by Amalek. There is a struggle and an effort to remain in the faith given by the Lord, and there is the war that is waged by Satan when he sees that our faith in God is wavering. Amalek, king of a people who lived on the edge of the desert, south of the land of Canaan, who comes to fight against Israel at Rephidim, represents all this. 

The battle against the enemy is not fought by all men, but only by those who are chosen/elected by Joshua (a figure of Jesus) and place themselves under his command. It is a war that involves leaving ("go out to battle") daily life, abandoning all occupations, for total commitment. One does not fight against the evil one alone, but together with the whole Church, under the guidance of the one appointed by the Lord, under the protection of the 'staff of God' that gives victory: a staff that in the story is placed in Moses' hand.

Previously, Moses had to strike the rock with his staff to bring forth water; now he must do the same with his God and Lord: Moses must strike God with his staff so that God may bring forth victory for the Israelites. The rock was struck twice, and water flowed out of it in abundance. In order to be victorious over Amalek, God must be touched until complete victory is achieved. When the staff does not touch God, the victory belongs to Amalek. When the staff touches God, the victory belongs to Joshua and the Israelites. A momentary victory is of no use to Israel. What is needed is a definitive victory, the withdrawal of Amalek and peace in Israel.

'Joshua did as Moses commanded him and fought against Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill' (v. 10). Joshua does as Moses commands him. He chooses his best troops and goes to fight against Amalek. Moses does not climb to the top of the hill alone. He takes Aaron and Hur with him. They do not go against the enemy, but draw close to God. Only closeness to the Lord is a guarantee of victory, but one must climb the mountain to touch the sky and reach Him.

What happens on the mountain is an image of what happens on the battlefield. When Moses raises his hands and touches God, victory is Israel's. When Moses lowers his hands and lets them fall, Amalek prevails and wins. When God is not touched, grace does not flow, victory does not come. When God is touched, grace and victory come.

But man tires of keeping his arms raised to touch the Lord. However, if the Lord is not touched, the battle will always turn towards evil for us, no longer towards good. This is where intelligence comes to man's aid. Aaron and Hur find a way to prevent Moses from tiring. Satan is not defeated by our strength, but by the incessant prayer that the servant of God raises to heaven. A prayer that stops halfway is worthless and ineffective: it must be an unceasing commitment and a continuous fullness.

Since Moses grows tired of keeping his arms raised towards Heaven, Aaron and Hur take a stone, place it under him, and he sits down. The two of them, one on one side and the other on the other, support his hands. In this way, Moses' hands remain raised until sunset. Here we see that intelligence and wisdom are put at the service of a greater good. Moses contributes the spiritual part, Aaron and Hur the material part. The material and spiritual parts must always become one.

Human hands cannot remain raised towards God continuously: we do not have the strength. We need support for our weariness, enabling us to remain present in the struggle even when we are at rest. All this is given to us by Christ, the rock of salvation.As long as the battle lasts, that is, until the end of this existence, we must not abandon a spirit of continuous prayer. It is a guarantee of certain victory against the enemy. The Lord fights for us, gives us strength and courage to resist the evil one, and ensures that we are not overwhelmed by the weariness of a struggle that seems to have no end.

'Joshua defeated Amalek and his people, putting them to the sword' (v. 13). Supported by the strength of God, invoked without interruption by Moses, and sustained by Aaron and Hur, Joshua defeated Amalek and his people, putting them to the sword. Victory is achieved. However, it is the fruit of a threefold communion: Moses, Aaron and Hur, Joshua. Moses touches God. Aaron and Hur help him materially, physically. Joshua achieves victory by fighting, risking his own life. This is true communion: God and man working together. Thus our enemies are put to flight. The evil one and his children are forced to desist from their evil intent.  

 Argentino Quintavalle, author of the books 

- Apocalypse – exegetical commentary 

- The Apostle Paul and the Judaizers – Law or Gospel?

Jesus Christ, True God and True Man in the Trinitarian Mystery

The Prophetic Discourse of Jesus (Matthew 24-25)

All generations will call me blessed

 Catholics and Protestants in comparison – In defence of the faith

 The Church and Israel according to St Paul – Romans 9-11

(Available on Amazon)