Living in Increase (Part 4) - Increase in CommunitySample

Increasing Victory - Siblings

In Exodus 17, Amalek was coming to fight Israel. Moses went to Joshua and told him to form an army to fight this enemy. He told Joshua that he would climb up to the top of a hill with the staff of God in his hand. From that station, he would be able to see the battle.

Joshua did what Moses told him to do. Moses climbed up the hill, but he was not alone. He took Aaron, his brother, and Hur with him. Moses interceded with God on behalf of Israel’s army. He lifted his hands, and he prayed! The Israelites were winning, but Moses’ arms got tired and weak. As his hands dropped, the army weakened, and the battle turned. Aaron and Hur came up with a plan. They got a big rock for Moses to sit on. Then they stood on either side of Moses and held his hands high all day. By the end of the day, Israel was victorious.

Aaron could have, and at times did have, the wrong attitude toward Moses. They were brothers by birth; naturally, there was some sibling rivalry. Moses was raised in the luxury of a palace. He had the attention of all of the people. God chose to speak directly to Moses. It seemed as if Moses got all of the attention and glory. But during this battle, Aaron put all that aside and stepped up in a big way. Aaron’s role in the battle was necessary. Without Moses’ intercession, Joshua’s men would not have won the battle. Without Aaron and Hur, Moses would not have had the strength to continue to hold up his hands. Aaron helped to provide the means for Moses to endure.

Sometimes, our relationships with our siblings get weird. We want to be their biggest cheerleader, but at times, we want to be the ones being cheered on. We want to celebrate their success but struggle with jealous thoughts. We are happy for them when good things happen, but the question, “Why not me?” These conflicts start early and continue through adulthood.

David writes in Psalm 133, “How good and pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!” This is not always easy, but God never promised us “easy.” Unity takes effort, work, and sacrifice. It often goes against what we desire.

Siblings are the first set of people we are given to live alongside. Learning to live in unity with them will help us to continue to live in unity with others. Our struggles and battles are not against each other, but they are against the enemy. The best way Satan can defeat us is to divide us. Unity will lead to increased victory!

Julie Austin

Action Step: Pray for your siblings, then write a note of encouragement to them. Send it through the mail. The effort it takes to write it, put a stamp on it, and mail it sends a powerful message. If you don't have a biological sibling, do this exercise with someone you think of as a brother or sister.