Commentaries:
As long as Moses kept his arms raised—perhaps in prayer to God—the Israelites prevailed, but when he let them down to rest, the Amalekites began to win. Because of Moses' dedicated intercession, Joshua defeated the Amalekites in the battle. But Moses was not alone. With him were Aaron and Hur, one at his right hand and the other at his left.
We know a great deal about Moses, Joshua, and Aaron, but what about Hur? Alan Carr, a Baptist minister, shares his reflections about Hur on his website, TheSermonNotebook.org, saying Hur "steps out of nowhere, does a great work and then disappears into the same shadows from which he came."
Moses' leadership was vital. It was his communication with God that was the most important element in the outcome of the conflict. If he did not continue with his arms raised in prayer to God, the battle turned in favor of the Amalekites. But Moses did not accomplish this work alone; Aaron and Hur were invaluable in aiding him. Their help allowed Moses to maintain his intercession with God until Joshua was victorious. If they had not assisted Moses, the battle would have been lost.
We would have expected no less from Aaron, but what about Hur? Carr writes, "Hur wasn't a great leader like Moses. He wasn't a great General like Joshua. He wasn't a great High Priest like Aaron. He wasn't a warrior like those in the army. He was just Hur." When called on, Hur did the simple job that God gave him to do, a job that proved instrumental in saving Israel from defeat!
After Israel's victory, we would expect to see Joshua receiving fist bumps and congratulatory slaps on the back as he led his victorious army back to the camp. Imagine the gratitude people would have shown for their leader, Moses. Aaron would have stepped forward to lead the congregation of Israel in prayerful thanks to God.
But how many people showered Hur with shouts of praise and gratitude? The Bible gives no indication that any came his way. Perhaps he quietly made his way back to his tent and humbly thanked God for Israel's victory. Men may not have given him his deserved acclaim, but God surely must have been pleased, saying something like, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
We can look at his example and emulate it. In the church, there are few leaders of the caliber of Moses, Joshua, and Aaron, but we can all be like Hur! I Corinthians 12:14 says that the body of Christ is not one member, but many. Few are out front, but every single person is needed!
People like Hur are the ones who work behind the scenes to do their own parts in God's work. They may not yet receive the credit for what they do, but God will not forget their works, and He will reward their service. Hebrews 6:10 says, "For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name."
John Reiss
Hur (Part One)
Other Forerunner Commentary entries containing Exodus 17:8:
Numbers 24:20-25
Ezekiel 35:6
Obadiah 1:10
