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strongholds among us

Deuteronomy 25:17-19 (JDV)

Deuteronomy 25:17 “Remember what the Amalekites did to you on the journey after you left Egypt.
Deuteronomy 25:18 They met you along the way and attacked all your stragglers from behind when you were tired and weary. They did not fear God.
Deuteronomy 25:19 When Yahveh your God gives you rest from all the enemies around you in the land Yahveh your God is giving you to take possession of as an inheritance, blot out the memory of Amalek under the sky. Do not forget.

strongholds among us

It’s possible to read this passage as an exception to the previous instruction — like, “treat everyone fairly, except for the Amalekites!”

No, what Moses is saying is that the Amalekites chose to take advantage of Israel’s weakness and fatigue when they attacked. So Moses calls on Israel to remember that fact and do not allow that to happen again by tolerating a future Amalekite presence among them. The Amalekites did not fear God. They only saw the Israelites as easy prey.

Under the new covenant with Christ, we are not called to destroy Amalekites. But note what the apostle says about our current warfare:

2 Corinthians 10:3 You see, though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh
2 Corinthians 10:4 because the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
2 Corinthians 10:5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ…

Our enemies today are belief systems that are “raised against the knowledge of God.” Like the Amalekites, the proponents of these belief systems will take every advantage they can take against Christians and Christian beliefs. They target and prey on those who dare to obey Christ.

God’s message for us in our battle today is “Remember… Do not Forget.”

Lord, give us wisdom and strength to overcome those who attack our obedience to Christ.