The Old Testament often presents a physical picture of what we discover in the New Testament to be spiritual realities. The slavery of Israel in Egypt is a picture of our slavery to sin. The earthly priests of Israel are a picture of our great High Priest who lives forever in heaven to make intercession for us. In a similar way, Exodus 17 gives us a physical picture of spiritual reality.
“Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.”
So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. 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. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.”
Here Are 5 Insights About Helping Our Loved Ones Win Their Spiritual Battles
1. Our loved ones are down in the valley engaged in a fierce three-front battle for their souls. They must daily battle the enemy within, their sinful nature, which relentlessly seeks to overpower them. They must resist a world that continually bombards them with enticements that would capture their hearts. They must engage a spiritual enemy who wants to “rob, and kill, and destroy” those who would follow Christ.
2. Lifting up our prayers for their spiritual battles does impart spiritual strength to them. The obvious point to this story is the correlation between Moses’ intercession and the Israelite success in battle. The New Testament is just as clear about the efficacy of prayer. “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16) Jesus said to Peter, “Satan has wanted to sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you.” (Luke 22:31.)
3. As spiritual leaders of our homes, we, like Moses, are called to fight for those under our care through prayer for them. As men, our love for our families would compel us to die if necessary to protect them from physical harm. Similarly, we need to sacrifice a few minutes each day to intercede for them protecting and strengthening them in their spiritual battles. Paul command us, “Be constant in prayer.”(Rom 12:12)
4. Like Moses, our hands will grow tired so we need an Aaron or Hur to prop up our arms. What would have happened to the army if Moses had gone to the top of the hill alone? We need brothers to lean on if we are to be faithful spiritual leaders. Do you have an Aaron or Hur on whom you can lean? Is your men’s ministry helping men get connected below the level of superficial?
5. Like Moses, we need to focus your prayer for your loved ones where the battle rages. Send some mortar into the teeth of the opposition. When Jesus was asked by his disciples to teach them how to pray, he stressed praying about spiritual battles: “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” (Matt. 6:13) Where do your loved ones struggle?--to trust God’s love for them, to forgive one who wronged them, to resist the world’s seductions of pleasure, pride, position, possessions, to love those who are hard to love, etc.?
Although our loved ones may be all over the map, spiritually, you and I can lay down our lives for them through lifting up our hands to the very throne of God on their behalf. We may not see the result of our prayer for a long time. But be assured: they will have won many spiritual battles they would have lost, had you not prayed for them.
