"Remember what Amalek did to you by the way, when you were come forth out of Egypt; How he met you by the way, and smote the hindmost of you, even all that were feeble behind you, when you were faint and weary; and he feared not God. Therefore it shall be, when the LORD your God has given you rest from all your enemies round about, in the land which the LORD your God gives you for an inheritance to possess it, that you shall blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; you shall not forget it.” (v.17-19)
The entire Book of Deuteronomy is a reminder to the children of Israel of what God had; done for them, taught them, and what He expected of them. This passage is no exception as it begins with the word “Remember” and ends with the words “You shall not forget.”
The Israelites were to remember how the Amalekites attacked them from behind, killing those who were weak, weary and feeble. They were also instructed to; “Blot out the remembrance of Amalek” meaning, to utterly destroy him and his people. Finally, they were to “Never forget;” neither the cold-blooded and dastardly attack by Amalek, nor the order to destroy him.
Furthermore, Israel was instructed to make this war against the Amalekites, when they were at rest in the land. Some 400 years later God directed Saul to make war against the Amalekites, yet his failure to completely destroy them was the primary act of disobedience which cost Saul the throne (1 Samuel 15:2-9; 28:18).
Because of God’s strong command to battle against Amalek until they were completely conquered, many see the Amalekites as a picture of our flesh – which constantly battles against the spirit and must be struggled against until completely conquered (Galatians 5:17). This should remind us that we too have an enemy who attacks us constantly. Who waits patiently until we are worn down, weak, weary of fighting the good fight, to attack our soul. The Apostle Peter reminds us to “Be Sober” (on guard), because “our adversary goes about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
Therefore, in order to be prepared, we must put on the whole armor of God every day to strengthen us for the fight and....... Never forget we are constantly at war!
The Truth: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:10-12)
