AUGUST 31

A ROOT AGAINST AMALEK

“The Lord made me have dominion over the mighty. Out of Ephraim was there a root against Amalek…” (Judges 5:13-14)

Not all the roots within us, nor in our history, are negative, for we find there are those which redound to His praise. Especially noteworthy is this root against Amalek. The name “Amelek” means “warlike, dwelling in the vale.” Young’s Concordance gives them to be the descendants of a grandson of Esau.

When Israel was journeying through the wilderness, without any provocation, the Amalekites came and attack Israel as they journeyed onward. Joshua went to battle with them. You remember that thrilling account of how Moses went up and sat on the hill and raised his hands, and while he held up his hands before the Lord, the battle went well for Joshua, but when his arms grew tired and he lowered his hands, then the battle went well for the enemy. So Aaron and Hur “stayed up his hands” (Ex. 17:12), and Joshua prevailed, and the Lord gave them the victory. At that time the Lord “hath sworn to have war with Amalek from generation to generation.” (Vs. 16).

There has been a long battle between the lusts of the flesh, and the realm of the Spirit – all that Esau and his descendants typify, and what Israel also typifies. But there shall come a climax of this war which has gone on from generation to generation, for “saviours shall come up on the mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the Lord’s.” (Obadiah 21).

Praise God for those “roots” that are against Amalek, they will give no place to the enemy. They have girded themselves for the battle, put on the whole armour of God, that they might be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. There is no compromise in them. They will buy the truth, and sell it not. They are determined to “put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.” (Rom. 13:14). They become ONE IN THE ROOT, JESUS CHRIST, and are daily overcoming!

Ray Prinzing