The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. 9 Moses said to Joshua, ‘Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.’

10 So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill.

There are tests that come our way not only in terms of lack, need and shortage, but also in the form of direct attack.

‘There is no such thing in the Bible as easy progress, victory without cost, or access on earth to some supposed higher life where striving sacrificially against foes inside and out is a thing of the past. Such will be heaven, but not earth.’ Alec Motyer: ‘The message of Exodus’, p.162.

In this situation Moses knew who he was and what he was called to do. May we be found in the right place at the right time, and it will not be the same place for us all. It is sadly possible to want to be someone other than God has made you, and to be somewhere other than where He places you. Other people’s roles can appear attractive and we can envy their ‘ministries.’ But it’s a good thing Moses did not try to be Joshua and Joshua did not try to be Moses. Moses had insight into what needed to be done and who needed to do it.