The Rod of God
Introduction
To focus on the standard of the Rod of God
Example of Queen Elizabeth
Moses used the Rod of God as a symbol – God was present and exercising His power
For the Egyptians it was a sign of judgment – examples
For Israel it was sign of deliverance and salvation
Example when Moses holds up the rod and Aaron & Hur hold up his hands
As Christians, we are in a constant spiritual battle
We are called soldiers of Jesus Christ
We are to fight a good fight
Do you see you self as a good soldier – working side by side with others?
Are you are disciplined soldier?
Our battle is against sin, temptation and the world
Our weapons are prayer, the word of God, the love of God the armour of God
Victory is only secured as we look to our Saviour
Looking at 8-13
The immediate context
The wider context
We must not mishandle God’s word – taking the passage out of context
We understand it first in its original context
We then ask what principles apply to us
We must then look to the wider context
The Immediate Context
The people of God are passing through the wilderness to the Promised Land
Provision is made but God is also testing His people
The place was named Massah and Meribah meaning "tempted" and "contention" (respectively)
Moral was low
The people were not walking as they should
The Amalekites attacked – perhaps over this water
Possibly the worse time to attack – when the people are spiritually very low
Isn’t this true of us?
Yet God brings a miraculous deliverance
Through Joshua (v13)
This should bring us tremendous encouragement
At times we can be spiritually low – example
As a church we can be spiritually low – example
Yet if we look to God – we can see victory
Who were the Amalekites? – Gen 36:12
Likely descendants of Esau
Often the descendants of Esau were at war with the descendants of Jacob
This reminds us of the two sides of the present spiritual battle
Those in life vs those in death
Deut 25:17-19 – very cowardly
A people unrestrained in their wickedness
They reminds us of what human beings are capable of
God promises to blot them out from any remembrance
Joshua
His name means God saves
He is a type of Jesus Christ
It is an Old Testament name for Jesus
Jesus is our Saviour who defeats our enemies
How does it apply to us?
The victory came about through the Rod of God
Not like with the Red Sea – to simply watch with no fighting, only the mighty arm of God
This time – people had things to do: some had to fight hard, Moses had to hold up his arms, he needed helpers
This tells us we are part of a body – we need to work together, pray together, support one another, encourage one another, to stand together
We need to look to our Captain, the Lord Jesus Christ
We need to pray and support our gospel leaders
Not to be individual but a team
Example
The Wider Context
Often misunderstood and misinterpretated
Not to represent the Trinity
Not like Christ holding out His hands on the cross
Not a picture of Jesus in prayer
Parallels
Moses and the rod – a symbol of prayer
Joshua and the sword – the word of God
The emphasis is on the Rod of God
How do we understand this – used in judgment and salvation?
Isa 11:1-5 – the Rod references the coming Messiah
Ps 110:2, 2:6-9 – Messianic references
Ps 72, Revelation
Surely it points us to Jesus Christ
He has the Sceptre and the reign of God
Num 16/17
16 – There is a rebellion against the authority of God and the ground swallows them up
17 – Twelve rods, with Aaron’s rod to be placed in the Ark of the Covenant
Closing thoughts
Whose authority are you under?
Whose side are you on?
Have you come under the banner of Jesus Christ?
If you want victory over sin, the devil and the world – it is only under Jesus Christ
Like the Israelites – we must keep our eyes on the Saviour