STRATEGY....building a plan for success
Exodus 17
vs. 1 Israel set out for their journey at the command of the Lord.
vs. 2 They contend with Moses asking the question "why".
vs. 3 'Why have you brought us up to kill us, our children and livestock with thirst'.
Moses seeks the Lord and God gives a strategy. vs. 6 tells him to take his rod and strike the rock. He obeys and the people drink.
To me it is a bitter sweet victory because they questioned whether the Lord was among them.
Vs. 8 Faced with Amelek(means, warlike, dweller in the valley) whose intent is to fight.
Moses again gives direction and take the rod to the top of the hill. He tells Joshua to fight and he obeys. When Moses held up his hands Israel prevailed and when he let down his hand, Amelek prevailed. Aaron and Hur put a stone under him and he sat and they held his hands up. Joshua defeats Amalek and his people with the sword. Moses rod represented the authority and Joshua's sword the Word. Victory is won on the mountain not in the valley.
Moses build an altar and its name is The Lord is my Banner (JEHOVAH NISSI).
Moses, the leader sought God in the face of trouble and God gave the strategy in both cases and the Lord prevailed.