Lessons from Aaron and Hur (Part 1)

In Exodus 17:8-13, we read of the battle of Israel with the army of Amalek.  Moses stood at the top of the hill with the rod of God in his hand.  As long as Moses held up the staff, the Israelites had the advantage; but when he lowered the staff, the Amalekites gained the upper hand.  When Moses’ arms became too tired, Aaron and Hur, who were with him, found a stone for him to sit on, and then they stood on either side of him, holding up his arms and keeping the rod of God in the air.  Somehow, holding up the “rod of God” was significant to the outcome of the battle. As a result, Joshua and his troops crushed the army of Amalek.

There are many lessons to be derived from this event, particularly for those of us who work beside our pastor’s wife or another leader in the women’s ministry.  First, we need to recognize that it was not Moses that gained the victory;  it was God, working in their midst, as symbolized by the rod of God which Moses held up.  The rod of God indicated that Moses looked to God alone for the victory and did not trust in man.  Victory depended on the power of God.    But, of course, Moses on his own, got weary.  So Aaron and Hur coming alongside Moses at this critical time made the difference between victory and defeat.

Moses was the one the people looked to and recognized as their leader.  He had a great burden of responsibility–to hold his hands in the air, elevating the rod of God, until victory was achieved.  And yet, he was just a human being.  He got weary; his arms grew weak.  He could not do it alone.

This relates to our leaders.  God has put one (perhaps our pastor’s wife) in leadership of the women’s ministry, and the ladies recognize her authority.  They look to see her leading them, and feel secure when she is present and in charge.  But she cannot do it all by herself.  Your leader may have a young family or aging parents to care for; she may have a full-time job, deal with chronic illness, or have other permanent or temporary issues which also demand her time and energy.  She needs those to come alongside and “hold up her arms.”  (For more on Aaron and Hur, go to Part 2)