Beginning of the End - Ellen G. White

lead them against the enemy, while he himself would stand on a hill
nearby with the rod of God in his hand. So the next day Joshua and
his company attacked the enemy, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur
were on a hill overlooking the battlefield. With arms outstretched
toward heaven and holding the rod of God in his right hand, Moses
prayed for the success of the armies of Israel. It was observed that as
long as his hands were reaching upward, Israel was winning; but
when they were lowered, the enemy was victorious. As Moses
became tired, Aaron and Hur held up his hands until sunset, when
the enemy was defeated.
The act of Moses was significant, showing that God held their
destiny in His hands. While they put their trust in Him, He would
fight for them and conquer their enemies. But whenever they let go
their hold on Him and trusted in their own power, they would be
weak and their foes would prevail against them.
Divine strength is to be combined with human effort. Moses
did not believe that God would overcome their enemies while Israel
did nothing. While the great leader was pleading with the Lord,
Joshua and his brave followers were using all their strength to defeat
the enemies of Israel and of God.
Just before his death Moses delivered to his people the solemn
charge: "Remember what Amalek did to you on the way as you
were coming out of Egypt, how he met you on the way and attacked
your rear ranks, all the stragglers at your rear, when you were tired
and weary; and he did not fear God. ... You will blot out the
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