Exodus 17:8-13
Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.
And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.
And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.
And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
G. CAMPBELL MORGAN (1863-1945): Joshua led men to an actual conflict, while Moses, assisted by Aaron and Hur, prayed. It was a combination of fighting and faith, the manifestation of loyalty to duty combined with dependence on God.
WILLIAM JAY (1769-1853): Behold Moses and Joshua on this occasion in their respective departments, and see in what various and suitable ways God qualifies and employs His servants―each has his own calling and work. It would be absurd to extol the valour of Joshua at the expense of the piety of Moses, or to extol the piety of Moses at the expense of valour in Joshua. It was not for want of courage that Moses prayed, or for want of devotion that Joshua fought. It was the same spirit that actuated the supplicant and the warrior.
J. R. MILLER (1840-1912): Each did his own part. It is just in this way that God’s work is always to be done. No one person has universal gifts. One man is a poor talker, but has brains and heart, and can make plans, and impart energy and inspiration. Another is an eloquent speaker, but lacks in the very points in which the first excels. Put the two together, and they can achieve great results.
JOHN FLAVEL (1630-1691): There is not a greater, or more pleasant variety of qualities, smells, and colours, among the herbs and flowers with which the earth is variegated and decked, for the delight and service of men, than there is in the gifts and abilities of ministers for the use and service of the church. One hath quickness of parts, but not so deep and solid a judgment. Another is grave and solid, but not so ready to speak. One is wary and reserved, another open and plain. One is melancholy and timorous, another cheerful and courageous.
ROBERT HAWKER (1753-1827): And so is it now. While the Lord’s ministers are going forth, in their public labours for the people, the saints of God are holding up their hands by their private prayers for them, as Aaron and Hur did the hands of Moses.
A. W. PINK (1886-1952): Some Christians have more opportunities to glorify God than others, higher privileges of service, greater abilities and gifts—the “talents” were not distributed equally: one had five, another three, another one, Matthew 25:15. But let us not murmur; all have more than they can improve.
C. H. SPURGEON (1834-1892): My dear Brothers and Sisters, our gifts are various. God has been pleased to place us in different positions and to give us different talents—you are not all called to the same work for Christ—but every saved man or woman has some work to do.
J. R. MILLER: In a church, some can sing well; some cannot sing, but can teach; some can do neither, but can carry comfort to the sick; some can manage business affairs; and some can make money, and give it. There is a diversity of gifts, no two having the same. But if all work together, each doing his own part, the church is not only a power, but there is no necessary work which is not done.
ALEXANDER MacLAREN (1826-1910): The division of labour is the multiplication of joy, and all who have shared in the toil will be united in the final triumph.
JOHN FLAVEL: Love and union bring every man’s gifts and graces into the common bank, and instead of monopolies, they drive a free and open trade, to the great enriching of the church―when these different gifts and qualities shine together in the church, what a glorious constellation do they make!
J. R. MILLER: Never worry because you have not the gift some other one has; you have some gift, and that is the one God wants you to use.
J. C. PHILPOT (1802-1869): The Lord suits His instruments to the work which He gives them to do.
J. C. RYLE (1816-1900): Great is the wisdom wherewith the Lord Jesus Christ builds His Church. All is done at the right time, and in the right way. Each stone in its turn is put in the right place. Sometimes He chooses great stones, and sometimes He chooses small stones—He often chooses the most unlikely and roughest stones, and fits them into a most excellent work.
Sometimes the work goes on fast, and sometimes it goes on slowly. Man is frequently impatient, and thinks that nothing is doing. But man’s time is not God’s time. A thousand years in His sight are but as a single day. The great Builder makes no mistakes. He knows what He is doing. He sees the end from the beginning.
ALEXANDER MacLAREN: He alone begins and completes the work—the rest of us do our little bit of the great work which lasts on through the ages, and, having inherited unfinished tasks, we transmit them to those who come after us―We are like the workers on some great cathedral, which was begun long before the present generation of masons were born, and will not be finished until long after they have dropped trowel and mallet from their dead hands. Enough for us if we can lay one course of stones in that great structure. So, if our work is but preparatory for that of those who come after, let us not think it of slight importance.
CHARLES SIMEON (1759-1836): We must also, like Aaron and Hur, assist each other, holding up each other’s hands, and animating each other’s hearts; nor ever terminate our exertions, till God shall scatter all our enemies.
JOHN GILL (1697-1771): Everyone has his work to do.
ALEXANDER MacLAREN: Be sure that all who have had any portion in the toil shall share in the victory—and that victory is certain. Are you to have part in it?
