Exodus 17:12
"When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up--one on one side, one on the other--so that his hands remained steady till sunset".
A good leader has support from his followers! He can't do everything by himself! Aaron and Hur were not there for a few minutes, but for the duration of the battle. As long as the battle raged on, Aaron and Hur remained by Moses’ side and provided what was necessary so that Joshua would prevail!
There are definitely battles we must fight on our own when Christ is our only help. He is enough! However, God has made it known to us that we are to rely on one another for strength as well. Ecclesiastes says quite clearly that “two are better than one…pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up…though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves" (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12).
We need a congregation of people who will pray and seek the Lord's face and lift up the hands of those leaders who become weary in the Lord's work! These people are absolutely indispensable because if the battle is ever to be won, it will be won by the saints of God who are winning the victory in the closet of prayer as they lift up the hands of God's servants!
"So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed" -- the spirit willing, the flesh weak. We all can be people like that for others! That is how God’s will is accomplished in and through us. That’s what the story from Exodus tells us. We cannot overestimate the value of a supportive congregation! Our pastors success in many ways are dependent upon the support of committed, faithful, loyal members to the church! The staff of God is only effective as the people involved do their part!
In the end, the message of this story is clear. Every Joshua needs a Moses and every Moses needs an Aaron and Hur. And when we know a Moses, then we need to choose. Are we going to be an Aaron and a Hur or are we going to be an Amalek. Because when we fail to help lift up the arms of those men who 'have charge over us in the Lord and give us instruction', we are in a figurative way, contributing to the battle. Psalm 12:1 says, “Help, Lord, for the godly man ceases to be, for the faithful disappear from among the sons of men". Let’s always stand behind God’s servants in full support! There’s honor in being called by God and we are to give honor to whom honor is due. Pastors are not better than anyone else, but respect is to be given for the office and calling. By being supportive and showing respect for the pastor and church, we also show respect for God! 2018 and going forth, let’s properly care for the men God has sent to watch over us!!
- Linda Jackson