Aaron and Hur

“When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset.”

Exodus 17:12 (NIV)

THE QUESTION

While Joshua led Israel’s fighting against the Amalekites, Moses held up his hands on a hill above the battle. When his hands grew tired, who held them up?

A) Aaron and Hur ✓

B) Joshua and Caleb

C) Aaron and Miriam

D) Jethro and Aaron

A closer look

When the Amalekites attacked Israel at Rephidim, Moses sent Joshua out to fight and climbed the hill with Aaron and Hur, the staff of God in his hands (Exodus 17:8-10). As long as Moses held up his hands, Israel was winning, but whenever he lowered them, the Amalekites were winning (Exodus 17:11).

Here’s a detail worth keeping: when his hands grew tired, they set a stone under him to sit on, and Aaron and Hur held his hands steady till sunset (Exodus 17:12). After the victory, Moses built an altar and named it The Lord is my Banner (Exodus 17:15).

If you thought of Joshua and Caleb, you were remembering the two spies who stood together and told Israel not to be afraid (Numbers 14:6-9). On this day, Joshua was down below, leading the fight (Exodus 17:10).

On that hill, Moses needed help to keep his tired hands raised. Today’s verse promises that the Lord Himself takes hold of your hand: “Do not fear; I will help you” (Isaiah 41:13).

We hope this helped you grow in God’s Word today. Now head back to your email and tell us how you liked today’s devotional. 🙏