how they met you on your journey when you were tired and weary, and they attacked all your stragglers; they had no fear of God. how they met you on the journeyThis phrase refers to the Amalekites' encounter with the Israelites during their exodus from Egypt. The Hebrew word for "met" (קָרָה, qarah) implies a chance encounter, yet it was a deliberate and hostile act. Historically, the Amalekites were a nomadic tribe known for their guerrilla tactics. This meeting was not a peaceful one but an ambush, highlighting the treachery and opportunism of the Amalekites. The journey of the Israelites symbolizes the Christian's spiritual journey, often met with unexpected challenges and adversaries. when you were weary and worn out
The Hebrew words here, "יָגֵעַ" (yagea) for "weary" and "עָיֵף" (ayeph) for "worn out," paint a picture of physical exhaustion and vulnerability. The Israelites had been traveling through the desert, a harsh and unforgiving environment. This state of weariness is symbolic of times in a believer's life when they are spiritually or emotionally drained, reminding us of the importance of relying on God's strength in our weakness. and they attacked all your stragglers
The Amalekites targeted the "stragglers" (נֶחָשֵׁל, nechashal), those who were lagging behind due to fatigue or weakness. This tactic reveals their cowardice and lack of honor, as they preyed on the defenseless. In a spiritual context, this can be seen as a warning to protect the vulnerable within the community of faith, emphasizing the need for vigilance and support for those who are struggling. they had no fear of God
This phrase underscores the Amalekites' moral and spiritual depravity. The Hebrew word for "fear" (יִרְאָה, yirah) encompasses reverence and respect. Their lack of fear of God indicates a complete disregard for divine authority and moral law. For believers, this serves as a reminder of the importance of living in reverence to God, acknowledging His sovereignty and justice. It also foreshadows the eventual divine judgment that would befall the Amalekites, illustrating the biblical principle that God will ultimately vindicate His people and judge those who oppose Him. Persons / Places / Events 1. AmalekitesA nomadic tribe that attacked the Israelites during their exodus from Egypt. They are often seen as a symbol of opposition to God's people. 2. IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, led by Moses, journeying from Egypt to the Promised Land. They were vulnerable and weary during this attack. 3. The JourneyRefers to the Israelites' exodus from Egypt, a significant event in biblical history symbolizing deliverance and God's faithfulness. 4. StragglersThe weaker members of the Israelite community who were left behind and targeted by the Amalekites. 5. Fear of GodA recurring biblical theme, representing reverence and respect for God's authority and commandments, which the Amalekites lacked. Teaching Points The Importance of Community SupportThe attack on the stragglers highlights the need for community vigilance and support, especially for the vulnerable among us. Spiritual Warfare AwarenessJust as the Amalekites attacked the weary, believers must be aware of spiritual attacks when they are spiritually or emotionally exhausted. Reverence for GodThe Amalekites' lack of fear of God serves as a warning. Cultivating a healthy fear of the Lord is crucial for living a life that honors Him. God's Justice and JudgmentThe eventual judgment on the Amalekites reminds us that God is just and will address wrongs in His timing. Perseverance in FaithDespite attacks and challenges, the Israelites' journey encourages believers to persevere in faith, trusting in God's protection and provision. Bible Study Questions 1. How can we as a community ensure that we are supporting the "stragglers" or vulnerable members among us? 2. In what ways can we prepare ourselves to withstand spiritual attacks, especially when we are weary? 3. How does the fear of the Lord influence our daily decisions and interactions with others? 4. What can we learn from God's judgment on the Amalekites about His character and justice? 5. How can the account of the Israelites' perseverance inspire us in our personal faith journeys today? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 17:8-16Describes the initial encounter between the Israelites and the Amalekites, where Moses, with the help of Aaron and Hur, holds up his hands to ensure Israel's victory. 1 Samuel 15God commands Saul to completely destroy the Amalekites, highlighting the ongoing enmity and God's judgment against them. Proverbs 9:10Emphasizes the importance of the fear of the Lord as the beginning of wisdom, contrasting the Amalekites' lack of fear. People Amalek, Amalekites, Ephah, MosesPlaces Amalek, Beth-baal-peor, EgyptTopics Along, Attack, Attacked, Behind, Cut, Cutting, Didn't, Enfeebled, Faint, Fatigued, Fear, Feared, Fearing, Feeble, Hindmost, Journey, Lagged, Lagging, Line, Meeting, Met, Ones, Rear, Smiteth, Smote, Stragglers, Strength, Struck, Tired, Wast, Wearied, Weary, WornDictionary of Bible Themes Deuteronomy 25:18 5582 tiredness
8337 reverence, and behaviour
8741 failure Library Therefore at that Time, when the Law Also...
27. Therefore at that time, when the Law also, following upon the days of the Patriarchs, [2010] pronounced accursed, whoso raised not up seed in Israel, even he, who could, put it not forth, but yet possessed it. But from the period that the fullness of time hath come, [2011] that it should be said, "Whoso can receive, let him receive," [2012] from that period even unto this present, and from henceforth even unto the end, whoso hath, worketh: whoso shall be unwilling to work, let him not falsely …
St. Augustine—On the Good of MarriageThe Doctrine of Arbitrary Scriptural Accommodation Considered.
"But the Righteousness which is of Faith speaketh on this wise,--Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into Heaven?' (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) or, Who shall descend into the deep?' (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth; and in thine heart:' that is, the word of Faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from …
John William Burgon—Inspiration and Interpretation Nor, Because I Called Ruth Blessed, Anna More Blessed...
10. Nor, because I called Ruth blessed, Anna more blessed, in that the former married twice, the latter, being soon widowed of her one husband, so lived long, do you straightway also think that you are better than Ruth. Forsooth different in the times of the Prophets was the dispensation of holy females, whom obedience, not lust, forced to marry, for the propagation of the people of God, [2242] that in them Prophets of Christ might be sent beforehand; whereas the People itself also, by those things …
St. Augustine—On the Good of Widowhood. Genealogy According to Luke.
^C Luke III. 23-38. ^c 23 And Jesus himself [Luke has been speaking about John the Baptist, he now turns to speak of Jesus himself], when he began to teach, was about thirty years of age [the age when a Levite entered upon God's service--Num. iv. 46, 47], being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son [this may mean that Jesus was grandson of Heli, or that Joseph was counted as a son of Heli because he was his son-in-law] of Heli, 24 the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Of those who are Able to Profit Others by virtuous Example in Supreme Rule, but Fly from it in Pursuit of their Own Ease.
For there are some who are eminently endowed with virtues, and for the training of others are exalted by great gifts, who are pure in zeal for chastity, strong in the might of abstinence, filled with the feasts of doctrine, humble in the long-suffering of patience, erect in the fortitude of authority, tender in the grace of loving-kindness, strict in the severity of justice. Truly such as these, if when called they refuse to undertake offices of supreme rule, for the most part deprive themselves …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great Genealogy of Jesus According to Matthew.
^A Matt. I. 1-17. ^a 1 The book of the generation [or genealogy] of Jesus Christ, the son of David [the Messiah was promised to David--II. Sam. vii. 16; John vii. 42], the son of Abraham. [Messiah was also promised to Abraham--Gen. xxii. 18; Gal. iii. 16.] 2 Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judah and his brethren [mentioned here because they were the heads of the tribes for whom especially Matthew wrote his Gospel]; 3 and Judah begat Perez and Zerah [these two were twins] …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The True Manner of Keeping Holy the Lord's Day.
Now the sanctifying of the Sabbath consists in two things--First, In resting from all servile and common business pertaining to our natural life; Secondly, In consecrating that rest wholly to the service of God, and the use of those holy means which belong to our spiritual life. For the First. 1. The servile and common works from which we are to cease are, generally, all civil works, from the least to the greatest (Exod. xxxi. 12, 13, 15, &c.) More particularly-- First, From all the works of our …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety The Roman Pilgrimage: the Miracles which were Wrought in It.
[Sidenote: 1139] 33. (20). It seemed to him, however, that one could not go on doing these things with sufficient security without the authority of the Apostolic See; and for that reason he determined to set out for Rome, and most of all because the metropolitan see still lacked, and from the beginning had lacked, the use of the pall, which is the fullness of honour.[507] And it seemed good in his eyes[508] that the church for which he had laboured so much[509] should acquire, by his zeal and labour, …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh Cix. Jewish Rulers Seek to Ensnare Jesus.
(Court of the Temple. Tuesday, April 4, a.d. 30.) Subdivision B. Sadducees Ask About the Resurrection. ^A Matt. XXII. 23-33; ^B Mark XII. 18-27; ^C Luke XX. 27-39. ^a 23 On that day there came { ^b come} unto him ^c certain of the the Sadducees, they that { ^b who} say there is no resurrection [As to the Sadducees, see p. 71. We may regard their attitude toward Christ as expressed by their leader Caiaphas, see p. 528]; and they asked him, saying, 19 Teacher, Moses wrote unto us [See Deut. xxv. 5, …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Preaching (iii. ).
Eternal Fulness, overflow to me Till I, Thy vessel, overflow for Thee; For sure the streams that make Thy garden grow Are never fed but by an overflow: Not till Thy prophets with Thyself run o'er Are Israel's watercourses full once more. Again I treat of the sermon. We have looked, my younger Brother and I, at some main secrets and prescriptions for attractive preaching. What shall I more say on the subject of the pulpit? In the first place I will offer a few miscellaneous suggestions, and then …
Handley C. G. Moule—To My Younger Brethren Second Stage of Jewish Trial. Jesus Condemned by Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin.
(Palace of Caiaphas. Friday.) ^A Matt. XXVI. 57, 59-68; ^B Mark XIV. 53, 55-65; ^C Luke XXII. 54, 63-65; ^D John XVIII. 24. ^d 24 Annas therefore sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest. [Foiled in his attempted examination of Jesus, Annas sends him to trial.] ^b and there come together with him all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes. ^a 57 And they that had taken Jesus led him away to the house of Caiaphas the high priest, ^c and brought him into the high priest's house. ^a where …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Deuteronomy
Owing to the comparatively loose nature of the connection between consecutive passages in the legislative section, it is difficult to present an adequate summary of the book of Deuteronomy. In the first section, i.-iv. 40, Moses, after reviewing the recent history of the people, and showing how it reveals Jehovah's love for Israel, earnestly urges upon them the duty of keeping His laws, reminding them of His spirituality and absoluteness. Then follows the appointment, iv. 41-43--here irrelevant (cf. …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Deuteronomy 25:18 NIVDeuteronomy 25:18 NLTDeuteronomy 25:18 ESVDeuteronomy 25:18 NASBDeuteronomy 25:18 KJV
Deuteronomy 25:18 Commentaries
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