science; in the gratifications of taste or ambition; in the haunts of guilty pleasure and licentiousness? There you will never find it. Christ alone can impart it.

CHAPTER XXIX.

Attack of the Amalekites. They are defeated in battle, while Moses prays on the hill-top.

Before the Israelites left Rephidim, an event took place, to teach them still further their dependance on God, and to show them how readily his aid would be afforded, in answer to prayer, if they acted in obedience to his commands.

They were taught by it, too, what they would have to expect, in encountering the hostile nations of those regions through which they had yet to pass, and what success they might hope to obtain in such conflicts. It served to inspire them, at the very outset of their career, with that confidence in their almighty Protector, and with that self-possession and courage which would prove to be so necessary for them. And, thus, as we go along in our history, and notice with particularity its events, both great

and minute, we shall have constant occasion to admire the dealings of God, in his providential arrangements, with his ancient people. We shall see how they all formed parts of one harmonious plan, and were so many lessons of instruction, designed to elevate and establish their character, and fit them for the important purposes which he had to accomplish through them, as a separate and peculiar nation, for the coming of the Messiah, and the salvation of mankind.

A band of Amalekites, a barbarous and roving people, which dwelt south of Palestine, between Mount Seir and the border of Egypt, made an attack on the rear of the Israelitish camp. It was the part the most exposed, and the least capable of making resistance; for the feeble, the faint, and the weary had been placed there. Their object, doubtless, was plunder;-and, obtaining some spoils, probably at the expense of the lives of a few of the Israelites, they retreated for a season, intending, when a favorable opportunity should offer, to renew the attack.

Such sudden assaults, and for a similar purpose, are common still in the same desert, made by the marauding clans of wandering Bedouin Arabs, upon the caravans that pass that way.

Moses was soon informed of the disaster, and promptly formed his plan, not only for repelling the robbers, but for putting an entire stop to their

future violence. He ordered the Israelites to attack them in turn. And that this might be effectually done, he directed Joshua, one of his best and most courageous commanders, and who afterwards succeeded him as leader and governor of the Israelites, to choose out as many of the bravest and well ac coutred men as were necessary, and to go in pursuit of the Amalekites.

Besides giving these orders, he said he would, on the morrow, ascend a neighboring hill, with the rod of God in his hand, and on its summit wait and see the issue of the conflict. He would be seen, also, by Joshua and his party, with the uplifted symbol of divine power, the use of which had already been attended with such signal interpositions of God in their behalf. In this way he hoped to encourage them in the encounter, and to have them know that they were fighting under his particular inspection, and, as it were, in the more immediate presence of God himself. To all this, (though we are not told that he spoke of it at the time,) he doubtless intended to add, what had more than once proved efficacious in their extremities, humble and fervent prayer. For he well knew, that if success came, it must come from Jehovah.

What arms the Israelites were in possession of, to enable them to wage a successful battle with the Amalekites, who were doubtless prepared, in this respect, for fighting, is an inquiry that very na

turally presents itself to the mind. Their late oppressors would not surely permit them to have such weapons, while in bondage. It seems impossible that they could have procured them at the time of their hurried flight from Egypt, or manufactured them during their journey to Rephidim. We have no intimation, or reason to believe, that they were miraculously supplied with them. The only remaining supposition is, that they procured them on the shores of the Red Sea, immediately after passing it, some from the bodies of the Egyptians which lay there in great numbers, and others from among those warlike instruments that were driven to the land by the violence of the waves. Another striking circumstance this, in that series of wonderful providences which attended the Israelites. For it was absolutely necessary that they should, in this way, be prepared to encounter their enemies on their journeyings to Canaan, as was fully shown by the late attack on them of the Amalekites.

It is not improbable that Joshua and his band went forth on their expedition, under cover of the night; and that, early the ensuing morning, Moses took his station on the top of the hill. He requested Aaron and Hur to accompany him. The latter, Josephus, (the distinguished Jewish historian,) says, was the brother-in-law of Moses, having married his sister Miriam. He evidently had the 13

Moses.

confidence of Moses in an eminent degree; for, as we shall afterwards see, he was associated by him with Aaron in the government of the people on a very important occasion.

The feelings of Moses were deeply engaged in the result of the expected encounter. He foresaw how much would depend upon it. He felt the need of some companions to sustain and comfort him in so trying an emergency. He wished them to unite in his supplications for victory; and he may have desired, also, by such a step, to invest both Aaron and Hur with additional dignity and influence in the sight of the people.

Joshua and his party meet the Amalekites, and the battle begins. Moses raises his outstretched arms; holding the mysterious rod in his hand. What a significant posture of their great leader for the Israelites to behold! His attitude is that of prayer. His extended arms denote it. The uplifted rod points to heaven, as the source from which alone strength for the conflict, and success can come. Moses praying, while God is affording his aid, is the banner under which they fight. It is in full view before them. Inspired with fresh courage by the sight, they resolutely carry on the contest, and feel that victory will be theirs.

And while the arms of Moses are extended, and his accompanying supplications ascend to the God in whom he trusts, the Israelites prevail, and gain