The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim.Moses said to Joshua,“ Choose some of our men. Then go out and fight against the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill. I’ll stand there holding the walking stick God gave me.”So Joshua fought against the Amalekites, just as Moses had ordered. Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill.As long as Moses held up his hand, the Israelites were winning. But every time he lowered his hands, the Amalekites began to win.When Moses’ arms got tired, Aaron and Hur got a stone and put it under him. Then he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held up his hands. Aaron was on one side, and Hur was on the other. Moses’ hands remained steady until sunset.So Joshua destroyed the Amalekite army with swords.Then the Lord said to Moses,“ This is something to be remembered. So write it on a scroll. Make sure Joshua knows you have done it. I will completely erase the memory of the Amalekites from the earth.”Then Moses built an altar. He called it The Lord Is My Banner.He said,“ The Amalekites opposed the authority of the Lord. So the Lord will fight against the Amalekites for all time to come.”
“ Treat the Midianites just as you would treat enemies. Kill them.After all, they treated you like enemies. They tricked you into worshiping the god named Baal that is worshiped at Peor. They also tricked you because of what Kozbi did. She was the woman killed when the plague came that was connected with Peor. Kozbi was the daughter of a Midianite leader.”
Then Balaam saw the Amalekites. He spoke the message he had received from God. He said,“ Amalek was the first nation to attack Israel. But their end will be total destruction.”
