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the pulling down of the strongholds of Satan, as at Jericho. Let us now notice the foes of
Israel's wilderness period.
Amalek.--Some think that it is an error to suppose that the Amalekites are
descendants of Esau who had a grandson of that name (Gen. 36: 10-16), for the
country of the Amalekites is mentioned together with Canaanite nations, as that of the
Rephaims and Amorites in Gen. 14: 7, long before the birth of Esau, the grandfather of
Amalek. Be this as it may, Amalek's attack is separated from the rest. So far as Israel
were concerned Amalek's attack was a treacherous act:--
"He met thee by the way, and smote the hindmost of thee, even all that were feeble
behind thee, when thou wast faint and weary" (Deut. 25: 18).
His opportunity seems to have been provided by the murmuring and rebellious spirit
of the people. Conquest no longer lay in "standing still and seeing the salvation of the
Lord", but by active and prayerful co-operation. "Go fight" were the words of
Joshua; "Go pray" the words to Moses. The opportunity afforded by murmuring and the
power of prayer will not be lightly passed over by those to whom Eph. 6: comes as
personal truth.
The essential character of Amalek's opposition, however, is found in the margin of
Exod. 17: 16, "Because the hand of Amalek is against the throne of the Lord". The
"world-holders of this darkness" oppose the purpose of the ages, and that purpose
involves the very throne of the Lord. The enthroned Christ and all His people are the
great centre of Satanic attack. This is developed in full in the Book of the Revelation.
Saul, type of Antichrist as he was, the people's choice, the persecutor of the Lord's
anointed (David) forfeits his throne through failure to blot out Amalek (I Sam. 28:
18). Haman the Agagite almost accomplished the destruction of Israel (Esther 3:).
Balaam, however, foretold that Amalek, the first of the nations, should nevertheless end
in destruction (Numb. 24: 20).
Sihon.--Israel sought no quarrel with Sihon. A request was sent asking Sihon to
allow Israel "to pass through", their objective being the territory of Canaan but not of
Sihon. Sihon, however, "would not suffer Israel to pass through his border". Our
inheritance lies beyond the borders of this earth, even in the heavenlies, but the conflict
started by Amalek is perpetuated by Sihon even here and now. Israel consequently smote
Sihon and possessed his land "this side of Jordan" (Deut. 4: 47). In Numb. 21: 1-3 we
have one more encounter recorded:--
"And when King Arad the Canaanite, which dwelt in the south, heard tell that Israel
came by way of the spies, then he fought against Israel, and took some of them
prisoners."
By way of the spies.--We know that Moses sent the spies (Numb. 13: 17) at the
command of the Lord (13: 1, 2), but we must not forget the words of Ezek. 20: 6:--