Then Came Amalek

Our world is hurtling toward disaster. We see it, we feel it, we know it is coming. The societal fabric that we are accustomed to is unraveling before our eyes.

We are saddened by it and we may even be angered by it. Our demeanor and our attitude is affected by it. It is a trial of our faith. The workings of our depravity cause us to ask, "Is the Lord among us or not?" Or, as the new living translation puts it, "is the Lord going to take care of us or not?"


These questions reveal the conflict of every believer that come from within. Because of our fallen nature, our depravity always causes us to question God in the presence of trials rather than questioning our trials in the presence of God.

This reveals to us the unvarying tendency of the human heart to distrust God. Even in the overwhelming light of revelation that the Word of God provides for us, 'our flesh' questions what the Word of God declares.

Our 'flesh' is that principle of unbelief that tries to assert itself and hinder the work of God in us. In Exodus 17:8 we read:

"Then came Amalek and fought with Israel in Rephidim"

Well we might ask, what do a tribe of nomadic refugee slaves from 1500 years before Christ have to do with us in 2012? 

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Romans 15:4

Amalek was the first hindrance to the people of God after their "baptism in the cloud and in the sea" (That is, their miraculous deliverance from Egypt). He is the grandson of Esau who sold his birthright for a mess of pottage. (Genesis 25:32)  

It was later that the first king of Israel, Saul would have his kingdom stripped from him by God because he failed to destroy Amalek (1 Samuel 15).

We read of the last of the Amalekites in the book of Esther where Haman is hanged on his own gallows in consequence for his wicked designs to annihilate Israel.

By these pictures, we are given a look at that principle of resistance that is in the nature of every child of Adam to oppose God's plan and the progress of God's people at every opportunity.

Just as that principle was at work in the children of Israel when they opposed themselves by asking, "Is the Lord among us or not?", so each believer can recognize the workings of the flesh within our own hearts.

This conflict came immediately after Israel murmured and God answered. First by providing manna and quail, then by providing flowing water from the flinty rock that was smitten by Moses' rod.

We shall see how this can encourage our hearts today.

Maranatha! The Lord is coming!