Water – Strength – Fruitfulness , Sermon on Exodus 17:8–16

 Prayer: O God! God of the Apostles! God of the prophets in the days of the apostles! God of the elders of the Church! God of the martyrs! God of the missionaries! God of all evangelists! God of the Christian Church! Praise be to You. May You accomplish everything. Amen.

In Exodus chapter 17, there are two lessons, three lessons, four lessons, five lessons, six lessons—this one story encompasses the entire Bible. It contains not only church history but also the story of the Bride Church—and beyond that, your history is in it. Not only that, my own history is also found in it.

This portion includes:

1.      A teaching about war, and

2.     A teaching about prayer.

Both these themes are combined in this chapter.

The Israelites drank well—the pure water they needed. Because they drank, they received strength. And when should strength is used? In battle. They drank water that came miraculously from the rock. On the mountain were Moses, Aaron, and Hur—three of them. Below the mountain was Joshua with the army. The Amalekite enemy army stood against them. Now, these two groups went to war.

Who wins in this world? What kind of people are victorious?

Those who drank well—the Israelites who drank the miraculous water from the rock, the water God gave. The opposing army drank from ponds and ordinary water. The Israelites drank supernatural water.

Satan's Strategy:

When should war happen?

It must take place when God's people have left Egypt and are on their journey. That is when Satan plans his attack—so that the people of God do not reach the Promised Land.

This is Satan’s strategy.

What Did the Israelites Leave Behind?

The Israelites left Egypt and came out. In the same way, what did Christians leave behind when they entered the Church? They left the world behind. Their journey is toward the Promised Land, just as the Christian journey is toward salvation. Because of this journey, battles had to be fought. The Israelites engaged in war, and so must we.

Victory through Prayer and the Word

why did the Israelites gain victory? It was through prayer and because they drank water from the rock provided by God. This divine water gave them strength to defeat the Amalekites—those who belonged to the world. On one side is the world, and on the other is the Church, representing heaven. The Church must now battle the very world it once left behind. The Israelites overcame by drinking miraculous water from the rock. Likewise, the Church overcomes by the water of the Word.

For the past three days, we have been filled with the water of the Word. Now, as we return to our homes, we must use the strength of the Word to overcome the world. In Rephidim, when the battle occurred, three men—Moses, Aaron, and Hur—went up the mountain. That mountain symbolized prayer. Ultimately, it was prayer that climbed the mountain.

The Power of Prayer

Just as these three ascended from below to the mountain, so did their prayers ascend to God's throne. Our prayers too must reach His throne. Some prayers reach only the clouds and go no further. But our prayers must ascend to the very throne of heaven.

There were two simultaneous scenes: prayer on the mountain and war in the valley. When Moses lifted his hands, Israel prevailed. When his hands were lowered, they began to lose. The Israelites had no weapons, but the Amalekites did. Yet the Israelites had faith, while the Amalekites had unbelief. Simply standing and praying is not difficult—because it is God who fights.

Even though the Israelites made mistakes, they obeyed their leaders and looked toward God. That’s why they experienced complete victory. Since God is the giver of divine strategies, He revealed the plan to them.

In this story, two spiritual acts are evident: speaking to God (prayer) and speaking for God to others (proclamation). Both are prophetic duties.

Who did the Amalekites fight against? They lifted their hands against God's throne—thus they were waging war against God Himself.  The Amalekites raised their hands against the throne of God. But Moses, Aaron, and Hur raised their hands on behalf of God. It was only when their hands were lifted that victory came. Likewise, when we raise our hands in prayer, victory is ours. Our enemies are defeated.

Before the Israelites drank water from the rock, hadn’t they already drunk water? Yes—but now they drank new water. In the same way, when we meditate on God’s Word, new water flows. It is sweet water, miraculous water, water that comes at God’s command—spoken water, living water.

The Word Is the Sword

This passage unites two stories: prayer on the mountain and battle in the valley. When Moses lifted his hands in prayer on the mountain, Joshua and the Israelites defeated the enemy with the sword below.

According to Ephesians 6:17, the Word of God is called the Sword of the Spirit. The sword in the hands of the Israelites below the mountain was no ordinary sword—it was empowered by the Word of God. The Word came once and said, "Go and fight." The Word came again and gave victory by slaying the enemy. Thus, the sword in Joshua’s hand was empowered by the sword of the Word.

In the same way, the Word we heard over the past three days has now become the sword in our own hands.

Blessing: May the Bridegroom grant us today the boldness and wisdom to receive His Word-sword, and with that very sword of the Spirit, may we destroy every enemy that rises against us. Amen.