[038] Moses Holds up His hands - Activity Worksheets

There is an Old Testament story that tells us about the battle between Joshua and Amalek. The Amalekites had come up against the Israelites at Rephidim (which translated means resting place). Exodus 17 tells us that Israel’s caregiver, 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 hand.”

As Joshua fought the Amalekites in the valley of Rephidim, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill with Moses. As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites would prevail, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites prevailed. When Moses’ hands grew tired, Aaron and Hur took a stone and put it under Moses and he sat on it and then Aaron and Hur held up Moses’ hands so Israel would prevail.

It is interesting to me how this story paints the picture of the struggles and needs of a caregiver. Although the story is given to us to show how God intercedes on our behalf even when we do not see His presence, it can have other interpretations that provide us comfort in the midst of our battles ever though the players might take on different incarnations, the strength of the images can provide comfort to a troubled soul.

Joshua represents a child with special needs. He is the real warrior, the one fighting the battles and facing the ever-present danger of succumbing to the wounds inflicted by the enemy.
Moses represents the caregiver. The one charged with the responsibility to maintain a posture that produces victory and weariness in the same moment. The one who must watch the battle rage and yet rise above it to do what needs to be done.

The staff of God represents the weight of the world pressing down on the arms of the caregiver as gravity pulls harder every passing minute and forces the strength of the caregiver to weaken as the battle rages on.

Aaron and Hur represent those who walk in relationship with the caregiver, who rejoice when the caregiver rejoices and weeps when the caregiver weeps.  Who recognize the needs of the caregiver and provide the support without being asked.

Although Joshua fought the physical battle, Moses had to fight the intellectual, emotional, and spiritual one. Moses stood on the top of the hill while Joshua fought against Amalek. And although Moses was not in the battle, without him holding up the staff of God, Joshua didn’t stand a chance against Amalek.