"THEN CAME AMALEK."--In the generations of Esau (Gen. 36:) we find that

Esau and his descendants are the Edomites; "Esau is Edom" (verses 1 and 8). In verse 12

we learn that Amalek was the grandson of Esau. Both Israel and Amalek therefore could

trace their descent from Abraham, and herein lies the significance of the type. Amalek

stand for the flesh. This typical feature is repeated. Going back no further than Abraham

we find two sons--Ishmael who stands for the flesh, and Isaac for the spirit. The church

of the Galatians provides a commentary upon the typical character of these two sons and

their relation to the flesh and spirit.

Coming to Isaac we find that he also had two sons--Esau and Jacob, and once again

the type is clear. The epistle to the Hebrews provides explanations of the meaning of the

typical character of these two sons.

Two others must be included, viz., Moab and Ammon, both the children of Lot, and

preeminently the children of shame. When we speak of Ishmael, Edom, Moab, Ammon

and Amalek, we enumerate those foes of Israel who sought to bar the way and prevent

their entry into the land of promise.

This is exactly what "the flesh" in a believer endeavours to do, Israel, when bondmen

in Egypt, when confronted by the Red Sea, when in need of bread and water, were called

upon neither to fight nor to fend for themselves. In all these experiences they typified the

passive position of the believer under grace. The believer, however, has a warfare before

him, a conflict that lasts until this life finishes, the conflict between flesh and spirit.

The word "fight", apart from the instance in Exod. 1: 10 which voiced the fears of

Pharaoh, is used in two settings only:--

The one conflict of the believer after redemption is with the flesh. What was the

occasion of the fight? We believe it was twofold. The word "then" in the sentence, "then

came Amalek", appears to be connected with:--