Friday, October 16, 2020

FMF: Hold

So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some men and go and fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill, holding the walking stick of God in my hands.” Joshua obeyed Moses and went to fight the Amalekites, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went to the top of the hill. As long as Moses held his hands up, the Israelites would win the fight, but when Moses put his hands down, the Amalekites would win. Later, when Moses’ arms became tired, the men put a large rock under him, and he sat on it. Then Aaron and Hur held up Moses’ hands—Aaron on one side and Hur on the other. They kept his hands steady until the sun went down. So Joshua defeated the Amalekites in this battle.
(Exodus 17:9-13, NCV)



In the battles of life, we all have different positions.  Some of us fight in the trenches, and some of us coach from the sidelines.  It's likely that at different times in our lives we will hold a variety of positions.

Moses' job in fighting the Amalekites was definitely unique.  He was the team stick-holder.  Baton twirler?  Nope, he held up a stick.  Stick up, team wins.  Stick down, team loses.

As time passed, Moses grew tired, as anyone would.  This is not unexpected, but when it happens at a bad time - say when you are fighting a war - it can certainly be discouraging. Fortunately, Moses came prepared.  He brought with him two partners, Aaron and Hur.

Aaron and Hur saw Moses' needs and tended to them.  They placed a rock under him so he could sit down.  Then, they literally carried his burden.  They each stood on either side of him and helped him lift his hands to God.  Together the battle would be won.

In my life, the Aarons and Hurs are the friends who choose to stay near me, to go to the mountain top with me.  They say: your burden is my burden; we will get through this together.

Leave me a comment telling me who the Aarons and Hurs are in your life.  I'd love for you to call them out by name.  And then, if you are feeling brave, let them know how they hold you up.



This post is a prompt from Five Minute Friday and was written in approximately five minutes. For more information, visit fiveminutefriday.com.

10 comments:

  1. I love this. I've never thought of the story like this before - "Aaron and Hur saw Moses' needs and tended to them. They placed a rock under him so he could sit down. Then, they literally carried his burden". Wow. I'm thanking God anew for the Aarons and Hurs He's blessed me with. x

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  2. We often sing a hymn on Sunday mornings ("Hark, the Voice of Jesus Calling"), and my favorite line is "You can be like faithful Aaron, holding up the prophets hands." Your thoughts bless me today, thank you, Amy! My Aaron is my husband, Jim. ~ Karen (FMF #7)

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  3. Yes, love this, those who are by our side and ready to hold us up when we need a helping hand. My husband, David, and I have a some close friends, Lauretta, Elisabet and Keri - who I can always rely on! :)

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  4. My husband is Moses, my sister Mary is Aron and my sister Sue is Joshua. Great blog.

    ❤️Terri
    #8 FMF
    Thank you for reading my blog.

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  5. I have never looked at this verse like that before. Thank you for opening my eyes to it. Have a few Aaron and Hurs, but need to make sure I am one too for others x fmf#6

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  6. good words. we need the holders in our lives, and sometimes we need to be holders required. visiting from fmf19 today

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  7. Yes, we all need those Aarons and Hurs in our lives! Two of mine have been my work colleagues, Jenny and Zonya. We have worked together and been friends for several years, but I have especially appreciated their support and friendship this year during lockdown and as we've been working from home.

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  8. Mine are my service dogs, who hold me upright when I fall, and cannot breathe.

    Ladron and Belle now, and RIP Sylvia (who is the 'face' of my blog), and Chris.

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  9. I am so thankful for the Aarons and Hurs in my life! My best friend Hannah being one. She and I have been friends since elementary school and have been through so much together. Our pastor and his wife are also. They have been such an amazing support to my husband and I as we have been going through some trials this past year that are ongoing. And of course my husband is my biggest support!

    I love that God spoke to your heart about this story from the Bible!

    Love,
    Annie

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  10. Good words that got me thinking. At first I couldn't think of any, but then my daughter and an out-of-state friend came to mind. They have provided amazing support at different times.
    (visiting from #39)

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