Dear Family,

Today is Thursday, May 29, 2025. This is Day 5 of Week 7 in our Counting toward Pentecost. It is our 47th Day of Counting.

After nearly 7 full weeks of their journey from Egypt, Israel camped before the mountain where they were to encounter God in a special way. They had griped, complained, and criticized nearly all the way from Egypt. They had accused both Moses and God of horrible motives, such as to “kill” them. Yet, now they were cleaning themselves, bathing, and washing their clothes to meet with God. They were given clear instructions about how to approach God; what to do and what not to do; and, they agreed. Moses told them God’s words, and Israel said, YES!

Have you ever wondered why they agreed? Up to this point in their travels, ancient Israel had not shown much faith. Israel had been very disagreeable. So, we ask; Why were they willing to agree now?

Perhaps there are several answers. They wanted a land of their own. They probably liked the idea God had presented to them about being His “special” people. And, they had just come from a bitter battle with the Amalekites.

The battle with Amalek may have given Israel a different perspective and made them more agreeable, even if it was only for a short time. The battle with Amalek was a different kind of challenge to Israel than they had faced since Egypt. This battle was against an enemy that tracked them down. This battle was hand to hand combat. Amalek’s forces sneaked into Israel’s camp and attacked the weakest. And, the battle they were required to fight was ONLY won when Moses’ hands were lifted to God. How ancient Israel and Moses reacted made the difference in whether Israel was winning or losing at any given time. Israel had to fight, but Moses had to hold up his hands! Did the battle soften their hearts toward God?

Clearly, God can allow attack, physical or spiritual, or He can prevent it. And, even in warfare, God can give us the battle, or He can allow us to lose. Sometimes God may allow us to do spiritual battle against an enemy that sneaks up on us, so that we can become more agreeable toward God’s will in our lives. Most often than not, a period of fighting with our spiritual enemy makes us humble, more willing to listen to God’s directions, and more agreeable.

Proverbs 16:7 When a man’s ways please the LORD, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

May God bless us to remember the words of Proverbs and the lessons from Israel; and, we will live in as much peace as is possible. Perhaps God will spare us from many battles.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
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