Amalek

When viewed from a logogrammatic perspective, the Hebrew word qlme (Amalek) means “repetitive mundane-ness”. – In short, drudgery; boring; never-changing sameness; same-oh, same-oh.

I used to live in Mesa, Arizona where the sun shines, what at times seemed like, forever. There were two things we could always count on from April to October. – The sun was going to shine and it was going to be hot. I tell you this to make the point that even sunshiney, wished-for things get boring if there is no variety. – No change.

A tone with no vibrato is just a frequency without a song. – Boring.

A life without variety boils down to existing, merely to exist. – Boring.

A religion without variety (without change) can have no repentance and, consequently, no redemption. – Same-oh, same-oh in religious circles produce no spiraling, uplifting effect, only endless circles of busyness with no direction, purpose or salvation effect.

I see Amalek as a product of the Amalekites, rather than as the patriarch of that clan, as some do. – After all,, he is the great-grandson of Isaac; whose father, Abraham fought with the Amalekites even before Isaac was born. Genesis 14:7

The Amalekites appear to be more a state of persuasion, than a specific gene pool of peoples. – A lifestyle, perhaps or an advocate of some particular persuasion. In my view, the term atheism would fit into this classification process quite nicely. – Right along with words like Catholic or Keynesian or hippy or charismatic.

The Blue Letter Bible identifies the Amalekites as people of lapping. Doesn’t that mean they are all going around in repetitive circles?

It also identifies Amalek as dweller in a valley.

It sounds to me as though Amalek lived in a rut and all he and his cronies ever accomplished was running around in circles like a bunch of dogs chasing their tails.

The God of the Israelites dwells upon the mountain tops of all existence and He is desirous that all His people join Him amid such majesty. He desires to baptize each of us within His unlimited panoramas; encourage us with His never-ending horizons of hope. Here is where wisdom and hope abound – even find their birthing. Here is where the spirits that kindle exciting inspirations reside. Here life is always vitalized, never dull or forever mundane.

Scratching out an existence amid the rocks and rills of the mountain-top is never an easy task. It is here that the winds of adversity blow their strongest. It is here that the heat of the day never quite offsets the cold of the night. It is here that life finds its toughest adversary. But it is here – along side Christ and our Heavenly Father – that faith finds fertile ground and enduring strength. It is here that spirituality and inspiration thrive and flourish. It is here that God’s will is always accomplished.

Life is much easier down in the valleys where Amalek and the Amalekites dwell. It is more level there and easier to move about and its alluvial plains are usually rife with the riches of material abundance. Its streams abound with food and thirst-quenching drink. Life in the valley is addictively comfortable. –  So comfortable, no one who dwells there ever wants it to truly change.

They seem to enjoy this repetitive mundaneness of their lives, for they resist God’s inspiration at every turn. They complain about life in general, too. They murmur at how bored they are. They even pray that they might find some way to make their lives more exciting. Then, reject every answer that comes their way.

When Moses tried to introduce the Israelites to different ways of worshiping God, they balked, they murmured, they refused to hear Moses instructions. They lashed out at him wished that they had never left Egypt. There, at least they had some degree of comfort. In short, they rejected the guidance given to them through Moses who in turn, was inspired by God. They refused to change their ways.

Exodus 17:8 Then came Amalek and fought with Israel (Joshua) at Rephidim.

Rephidim is interesting in that it represents the idea of "the introduction and demonstration of different  ways."

            The way I read Exodus 17:8, when the Israelites came to Rephidim – in other words, up against testimonials and demonstrations trying to show them a better way – they rejected any idea that the way they had always done things could possibly be bettered. Obviously, they had no faith nor trust in the way God was trying to show them. They placed more trust in their own council than that of God’s spirit-led inspiration.

Joshua was sent to do battle with the Amalikites. Whenever Moses up on the mountaintop overseeing the battle, raised his arms to make contact with God, Joshua’s armies would prevail. But, whenever Moses lowered his arm – thus losing connection with God – the Amalekites would start winning.

            Jesus fought these same battles with the Pharisees and Sadducees. He tried introducing change to their traditional ways, they would not hear of it. They saw him as a threat and they crucified him.

How does God look upon those who dwell down in their comfortable little valleys of rut living? 1^st Samuel 15:3 gives us a clue when the Lord said onto Saul. ------ Now go and smite Amalek, ------- utterly destroy all that they are, ------ spare none of them; -------- slay the man and the woman, ------ the infant ------- the suckling,  ------ the ox ----- every sheep, camel and ass.

            God wants such behavior annihilated. – Yes, annihilated He doesn’t want any of it, not a shred, to remain as an obstacle to His Holy Spirit.