Having It Your Way

The first depiction of Moses leading the Israelites into a violent confrontation is a defensive effort, found in Exodus 17: 8. The Israelites are attacked by the Amalekites shortly after leaving Egypt's slavery. God is not referenced directing Moses to take any action. Later God is quoted asking Moses to record what happened. The record is to be remembered, so Joshua would remember it. God then declares He will blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.

The indifference between Israel and the Amalekites are played out in later decades into the monarchy as the Israelite tribes settle the previously occupied areas. Throughout the centuries, the reference in what was termed “Amalek”/“Amalekite” has developed a particular dogma through the generations of Jewish ideology. Anyone or any entity challenging or attacking what is perceived to be Israel is considered an Amalekite or like Amalek.

The attack of the Amalekites comes after the Israelites grumble and complain to Moses for not having water. They considered it would have been better to have stayed slaves in Egypt than endure with the challenge of finding water in the desert they were now traversing. This episode is after they walked on dry land through the Red Sea, seeing a wall of water on both sides. They saw Pharaoh's army swallowed up by the Red Sea when it returned to natural form. They previously saw the many plagues brought upon the Egyptians.

I wonder if it is possible the Israelites, after having seen God move in such amazing ways, suffered the outcome of doubting that God was actually taking care of them. Doubt and disobedience was the issue, as seen in Exodus 16: 28.

Obedience and faith; two basics.

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

- Exodus 14: 14