Remember What Amalek Did
Therefore you shall blot out their remembrance from under heaven.   
Deut 25:17,19

Many nations have attacked and oppressed the nation of Israel throughout its history.  Yet, for some reason, Amalek is singled out as Israel's 'arch enemy.'  What was so terrible about Amalek's attack that required a battle for all generations?

By carefully examining the Torah's description of this event, we will see some amazing details that will enhance our understanding of "The War Against Amalek".

Who was in Rephidim?

"And Amalek came, and attacked Israel at Rephidim."  (Ex 17:8)    

When reading this account we generally assume that all the Israelites were encamped in Rephidim when Amalek attacked.  However, a careful reading of the previous verses, suggests quite the opposite.  When Amalek attacked, Israel appeared to be on their way from Rephidim to Mount Sinai.

Let's review this story, beginning with Israel's arrival at Rephidim.

"And the children of Israel traveled from the desert of Sin... and encamped in Rephidim, and there was no water for the people to drink... and they quarreled with Moses."   (Ex 17:1-3)

YHVH instructed Moses to take his staff and strike the rock.  Water then gushed forth from the rock and the children of Israel quenched their thirst. 

There is one small detail in this story that is often overlooked.  The rock that Moses hit was not in Rephidim.  It was located at Mount Sinai.

"YHVH said to Moses, pass before the people, take with you some of the elders, and take the staff... I will be standing before you at the rock at Horeb.  Strike the rock there, and water will issue from it."   (Ex 17:5-6) 

YHVH told Moses to go to Horeb (which is Mount  Sinai - Ex 3:1,12)  taking along a select group of national leaders to witness this miracle at the rock.

Although the Torah informs us that Moses performed this miracle in the presence of these elders (Ex17:6) we find no details of precisely how Israel drank this water.

Considering that the rock was at Horeb (Mount Sinai) and the people were at Rephidim, it was unlikely that the elders carried back with them sufficient supply of water to provide for the entire camp.  More likely, the running water of Mount Horeb created a small river which meandered its way to Rephidim.  That water was enough for the people to have something to drink but not much. Therefore, it is reasonable to believe that Israel, upon seeing this river, immediately decided to move their camp from Rephidim directly to Mount Sinai.  One could also assume that this journey was not very organized.  The stronger people most probably ran ahead to secure for themselves a supply of fresh water and set up the new camp site, while those who were 'weak and tired' lingered behind.

Amalek Attacks

It was precisely at this time that Amalek attacked.

"Amalek came, and attacked Israel at Rephidim."  (Ex 17:8)

But who was in Rephidim?  Only a remnant of the camp - the weak and the tired, who were unable to go to the source of water quickly.

In the parallel account in the book of Deuteronomy, we find precisely these "missing" details.

"Remember what Amalek did to you on your journey when you left Egypt, for he surprised you on the way while you were traveling and cut down all the stragglers in your rear, while you were famished and weary."   (Deut 25:17-18) 

Amalek capitalized on the people's disadvantage.  Even in war there are accepted norms of conduct, men fight men, armies engage armies.  Amalek's attack was outright unethical, even by wartime standards.

The Fear Of ELOHIM

Further support of this interpretation may be drawn from Deuteronomy 25:18

"And he (Amalek) did not fear ELOHIM." 

This phrase - Fear of Elohim - in the context of unethical or immoral behavior is found numerous times in the Torah.  For example, Abraham offered Abimelech the following explanation for lying about his wife.

"And Abraham said, for I thought surely the fear of  Elohim is not in this place, and therefore they will kill me to take my wife."  (Gen 20:11) 

In this context, a lack of fear of  Elohim described one who would kill a visitor in order to take his wife, which was quite unethical according to even the lowest moral standards.

Similarly, Joseph based his decision to release his imprisoned brothers on his sense of fear of Elohim - ethical behavior.

"Therefore only one of you must remain in jail and the rest of you can bring food to your family and bring back your youngest brother, to prove that you are telling the truth."  (Gen 42: 15-18) 

When Moses heard of Amalek's attack, he instructed Joshua to launch a counter offensive on the following day. 

"Go fight Amalek...  tomorrow I (Moses) will be standing at the top of the hill (on mount Sinai) with the Rod of Elohim."  (Ex 17:9)

Shouldn't Joshua engage Amalek immediately?  Why wait for another day of hostilities to pass before mobilizing the nation's defense?  Because as we saw earlier, the leaders (Moses and the elders) and most of the men were already at Mount Sinai.  It would therefore take a full day for Joshua to organize the troops and march them back towards Rephidim.

Up until this point we have seen the particularly unethical nature of Amalek's attack.  Yet, the eternal command to 'erase the memory of Amalek' for all generations suggests a spiritual reason as well.

To understand the deeper meaning we must remember that the entire journey from Egypt to Mount Sinai served as a 'training mission', to spiritually prepare the children of Israel for their high calling - receiving the Torah.  In their first encounter Israel perceived Mount Sinai as a spring flowing with water, the source of their salvation from the threat of thirst.  The 'stage had been set' for delivering the Torah, the Ten Commandments and the rest of the Law.

Amalek's attack almost 'spoiled' this encounter.  In fact, Amalek attempted to prevent the entire nation of Israel from achieving their Divine Destiny.  The nature of this struggle remains throughout Israel's history.  Even when Israel is finally prepared to follow YHVH, the forces of evil will make one last attack to try to prevent YHVH's message (the gospel) from being heard.

YHVH's chosen people must be ready and prepared to fight this battle against 'Amalek' for all generations.

"YHVH had sworn... YHVH wil have war with Amalek from generation to generation."  
Ex 17:16