Day 7

Deuteronomy 24-26

WATCH OUT FOR AMALEK

Remember what Amalek did to you on the way – Deut. 25:17

            Israel’s history with Amalek began at Rephidim in the wilderness.  After one of their water crises, they began to move forward when encountered by an unexpected enemy. Amalek suddenly declared war against Israel.  They ambushed the stragglers, attacked from the rear, and fought the tired and weary.  The only reason for this unprovoked hostility was he did not fear God.

            Israel won the victory thanks to Moses’ intercession, but they never completely won the war with Amalek.  In spite of God’s command to blot out the remembrance of Amalek (18), they were unable to do it.  Amalek became Israel’s perennial enemy.  During King Saul’s reign God would command an extermination of the Amalekites.  Saul refused to do it and ended up being killed by an Amalekite.  In the Book Esther the wicked Haman who tried to destroy the Jews was an Amalekite.  They just wouldn’t go away.

            Amalek is a type of our flesh (sinful nature).  It never goes away.  It does not fear God.  It harasses us when we’re weary and attacks us out of nowhere when we’re least expecting it.  Our flesh is with us until we die.  There is nothing we can do to remove our sinful nature, but we can gain victory over it – just like Moses did – through prayer.  Our flesh is a powerful force.  It produces seemingly uncontrollable urges.  It will dominate our life if we do not subject it to the Holy Spirit.  Paul said, Walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh (Gal. 5:16). 

            A Native American chief compared his inner struggle to a white dog and a black dog living inside him who were always fighting.  When his pastor asked him which one wins, he answered, “The one I feed the most.”   When we feed the flesh our sinful nature dominates us.  When we feed the spirit we gain victory of the lusts of the flesh. 

            The Holy Spirit works through prayer and the Word of God to build up our inner man.  When we worship and fellowship with other saints we are strengthened by the Spirit.  We make the choice.  The choice we make determines victory or defeat.  The spiritual choice is the only way we blot out the remembrance of Amalek.

God’s got my back.