Exodus 17:11-12 says:

“As long as Moses held up the staff with his hands, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites gained the upper hand. 12 Moses’ arms finally became too tired to hold up the staff any longer. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side, holding up his hands until sunset.”

Wouldn’t you say this was an interesting military strategy from God?  As long as Moses held his staff up in the air, the Israelites were winning the battle.  But as soon as he got tired, and his arms started to fall, the enemy started winning.

Can you imagine the pressure that Moses was under?  He finally gives in from exhaustion and lowers the staff.  And in doing this, reveals one of the great images from Scripture.  The story says that Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on and then they stood on each side, holding his hands up in the air until sunset.

Can you see Aaron and Hur holding Moses’ arms up in the air?  It is such a great reminder that we need to bear one another’s burdens and hold each other up when needed.

I just wish Moses would have spoken up a little sooner.  He didn’t have to reach his breaking point in order to ask for help.  He just chose to do it that way.  Aaron and Hur seem like the kind of guys that would have jumped in much sooner and helped if Moses had just asked for it.

What burden are you carrying today that is starting to wear you down?  What path are you on, that if you continue, will lead to utter exhaustion?  Now, who are the Aarons and Hurs that God has placed in your life to help you bear the burden?  Is it someone from your church, or a close friend, or maybe even someone in your family?

Let me challenge you today to reach out and ask for help now before you get to your breaking point.  Don’t be prideful.  You can’t do it alone and God never intended for you to do it alone.  Hey, if Moses needed some help from friends, we all need help from our friends!