Exodus 17:11-13 And as long as Moses held up the rod in his hands, Israel was winning; but whenever he rested his arms at his sides, the soldiers of Amalek were winning. Moses’ arms finally became too tired to hold up the rod any longer; so Aaron and Hur rolled a stone for him to sit on, and they stood on each side, holding up his hands until sunset. As a result, Joshua and his troops crushed the army of Amalek… [Living Bible translation]
Summary
Under the yoke of the Egyptian bondage, the children of Israel constantly prayed for deliverance. GOD heard “their groaning” and sent Moses so that the people could enter into a covenant relationship with GOD. Once the people left Egypt, undoubtedly many of them thought everything would be perfect. When things “were not perfect,” many of the people not only stopped praying to GOD, but many became angry. Some even argued with GOD and became arrogant and indignant. When there was no water, some of the people even “got an attitude” demanding, “Is JEHOVAH (GOD) going to take care of us or not?” (Exodus 17:7, Living Bible translation) Yet GOD continuously tried to teach the Israelites what it meant for them to be “HIS people.” The defeat of Amalek is one of those important lessons.
The warriors of Amalek decided to fight the children of Israel at Rephidim, one of the places where the Israelites were camped. The name, “Rephidim” means “resting place.” Many of the Israelites probably saw this camp as a time when they could just “lay back and enjoy themselves.” So, it must have been a surprise to learn that once again things “were not perfect” and they would soon have to defend themselves against an approaching army, the warriors of Amalek. In preparation for what was to come, Moses instructed Joshua to take a group of men to fight. Moses explained that he would stand on the top of the hill overseeing the battle, along with Aaron (Moses’ brother) and Hur (from the tribe of Judah) to ‘intercede” on behalf of the fighting Israelites with GOD.
So, the Israelites fought, and Moses prayed. When Moses’ hands were lifted, the people won. When Moses grew spiritually and physically weary and lowered his hands, the Amalek warriors prevailed. When the Israelites “saw” that they were in a physical and spiritual battle against their enemy, Aaron and Hur started to “prop” Moses up so that his hands would “constantly” be lifted. They got a stone for Moses to sit on and then Aaron went to one side and Hur went to the other so that Moses' hands were “steady” until “the setting of the sun.” With Moses hands high, their enemy was defeated.
Hand Raising Exercises
It sounds like a simple thing---simply raising one’s hands over one’s head or allowing one’s hand to make a complete circle from the front over the head and to the back. But, without exercise, many will find they can’t raise their hands high or raise their hands in a complete circle “pain-free.”
A number of muscles are involved in a stretch over the head from front to back: there is the coordinated movement of shoulder muscles, the rotator cuff muscles of the shoulder blades are involved, the deltoid muscles of the outer shoulder, the sides of the ribcage, the shoulder sockets, the hands, back muscles, and balance are just some of the things that are involved in this coordinated movement.
For a simple movement exercise, you might consider the following:
- Stand up straight or sit in a firm chair.
- Look straight ahead, then breathe in as you raise both arms over your head and reach toward the ceiling. [Or alternatively, raise one hand at a time.]
- Reach back with your arms to stretch your shoulders. [Or alternatively, interlace your fingers and turn your palms toward the ceiling]
- Hold this stretch for 15 to 30 seconds.
- Then, return to the starting position and repeat 3-4 times.
Another simple exercise is the following:
- Stand up straight with your feet about shoulder-width apart or sit up straight in a firm chair.
- Engage your glutes and brace your core.
- Stretch your arms straight out on either side about shoulder-width apart forming a “T,” rotating your wrists so your palms are faced down.
- Start your exercise by rotating your wrists as you raise your hands above your head so that your palms come together straight above your head into a clap.
- Lower your hands back to their start positions, which your hand once palms once again faced down at shoulder height.
- Repeat the exercise. [Try to straighten your arms as you raise them overhead. But if you find it difficult to straighten your arms, allow a slight bend at the elbow.]
If you want more advanced stretches, you may want to consider taking a yoga class, a Pilates class, a Zumba class, a weight-lifting class, or working out with a trainer.
As always, if you have a medical condition, you are concerned about your balance or you are on medication, consult your personal physician about what over the head exercises are right for you.
Keep Praying Until the Setting of the Sun
There always seems to be a battle raging somewhere---(e.g., in the last 8 days mass shootings have occurred in Atlanta, GA (3/16- 8 people shot including 6 Asian Women killed); Stockton, CA (3/17- 5 people shot); Gresham, OR (3/18- 4 victims hospitalized); Houston, TX (3/20- 5 people shot); Dallas, TX (3/20- 8 people shot, including one death); Philadelphia, PA (3/20- 1 killed and another 6 injured); and Boulder, CO (3/22- 10 people killed).
Like the Israelites, we often mistakenly think that “at some point in life” things just ought to “be easy.” Or we may sometimes think that after one of “life’s trials” that “we simply deserve a break” or “rest” from adversity. But, unfortunately, “the enemy” is ready to strike anytime and anywhere. This means that GOD’s people can never stop praying.
Finding others who will pray with us, for us, and help “steady” us is essential. Understanding the need to stand on “THE ROCK of AGES,” (JESUS) is critical. As HIS hands were raised high, our hands must be raised high too!
Please continue to pray one for another. Be supportive. Accept support. We all need help.
Keep your hands high and, BE BLESSED!
