They had journeyed to Horeb from the desert of Sin, called the wilderness, these children of Israel. Moses had led them. Slow of speech, but with unwavering faith in God's presence and power, he had seen that faith justified at the Red Sea, in the much-needed manna, and in the water that gushed from the rock.
The way had been long, the people often rebellious, but there were among them men of faith and vision too—Joshua, Aaron, Hur—men entrusted with Moses' orders, divine dictates which came through his close communion with God. The tasks were difficult; the people often did not understand the need for them. Only Moses' unconquerable faith in divine leadership kept them going.
Still further trials were ahead. No sooner had they reached Horeb than Amalek, leader of a hostile tribe, swept down across their path and engaged them in battle. However weary or unprepared his people may have been, Moses did not falter. He chose Joshua to command the fight against the Amalekites. Then, confident of God's direction, he took his place on a hill overlooking the valley before Rephidem. Aaron and Hur were with him.
