THE ENEMIES OF ISRAEL - THE AMALEKITES

The Amalekites were descended from Esau through his son Eliphaz and his concubine Timna. They were, therefore, blood relations of Israel. The first mention of them in Scripture occurs in Genesis 14.7. In the war between Chedorlaomer and his allies and the king of Sodom and his allies it is recorded of the forces of Chedorlaomer that "they returned, and came to Enmishpat, which is Kadesh, and smote all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, that dwelt in Hazezontamar". This early reference to the Amalekites has led some to believe that there was an early tribal grouping that went under this name. It is, however, more likely that the reference is to the fact that the area affected was known, by the time that the account was written, as the region which at that later date was occupied by the Amalekites. It should be noted that whereas the other peoples mentioned are referred to simply as the Rephaims and Zuzims etc. it is the country of the Amalekites to which reference is made.

Their location

They occupied the territory to the south of Canaan in the area that we now know as the Sinai Peninsula. This lay between Canaan and Egypt. They were a nomadic people and did not appear to be city builders. Only one mention is made of any city that they possessed and that would appear to be one of little consequence (1 Sam 15.5).

The relationship with Israel

Since they were blood relations of Israel one would think that they would have been favourably disposed towards them, but this was not so. From the first mention of them acting as a nation their enmity to Israel was plain. They were Israel's avowed enemies. They occupied the territory though which Israel would travel on their journey from Egypt and no safe passage was given to the people led by Moses.

The first mention of them as a nation

The Amalekites came out in force against Israel. They were the first recorded nation to bar their path, and the first enemy that Israel had to face in battle. This was a calculated attempt to overcome the purpose of God in bringing His people out of the land of bondage. Their lack of any fear of God is seen in that they did not consider what had happened to the Egyptians at the Red Sea.

The victory over the Amalekites was decisive. Joshua leading the troops in the valley and Moses, Aaron, and Hur on the mountain saw the Lord bring about a mighty triumph.

Their condemnation

Because of their action they were condemned. The word of the Lord to Moses was, "I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven", and "the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation" (Ex 17.14,16). Balaam was made to prophesy, "Amalek was the first of the nations; but his latter end shall be that he perish forever" (Num 24.20). The word of the Lord through Samuel to Saul when he was instructed to smite Amalek was, "I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt" (1 Sam 15.2).

Saul's dealings with Amalek

The instruction from Samuel was clear, "Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass" (1 Sam 15.3). As Israel's king, it was given to him to fulfill the word of the Lord and to destroy Amalek. In this he failed. He defeated them in battle but spared their king and the best of their herds and flocks. Saul's pleas that he was bringing sacrifices for the Lord met with the response that "to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams" (1 Sam 15.22). Because of this disobedience the kingdom would be taken from him.

Lessons

As blood relations of Israel, the Amalekites represent the flesh. Paul writes of "the desires of the flesh" (Eph 2.3), and Peter of "the filth of the flesh" (1 Pet 3.1) and of "the lusts of the flesh (1 Pet 2.18). John reminds us that "the lust of the flesh" is one of the three things that are in the world (1 Jn 2.16). The flesh, therefore, is the enemy of the believer. "For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye wouldNow the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness" (Gal 5.17,19). Like Amalek, the flesh will boldly come to do battle with us. It is a continuing threat, but like Amalek it can be overcome.

THE ENEMIES OF ISRAEL - THE AMMONITES

As with the Amalekites, the Ammonites were blood relations of Israel. They were descended from Ben-ammi, born as a result of the incestuous relationship between Lot and his younger daughter (Gen 19.30-38) after the destruction of Sodom and the death of Lot's wife. Ben-ammi was the half brother of Moab whose father was also Lot and whose mother was Lot's older daughter.

Their location

Their territory lay on the east bank of the Jordan, north of the River Jabbok. The Ammonites claimed territory south of the Jabbok, as far as the River Arnon, but that had been taken by the Amorites, and Israel captured that territory which was allocated to the Reubenites. Many years later this claim by the Ammonites led to the war between them and Israel under the judge Jephthah (Judg 11.1-33). Their capital was Rabbah, the modern Amman.

The land had been possessed by the Zanzummims, a race of giants. "Zanzummim" has the thought of intrigue, and is related to a verb meaning to consider, to purpose, to devise. This verb derives its meaning from the idea of talking to oneself in a low voice, as if arriving at some conclusion. This indicates that this people were a race of mischief-makers who were known for their evil designs against others. It is probable that they are the Zuzims (Gen 14.5) who were defeated by Chedorlaomer, as were the Emims. The Ammonites had dispossessed them, indicating that they were warriors of considerable power.

Their gods

The god of the Ammonites was Milcom (1 Kings 11.5), but it appears that they also shared Chemosh, the god of the Moabites, perhaps for a certain time, or perhaps just some of the people (Judg 11.12, 24).

Their relationship to Israel

They were constantly enemies of Israel even although Israel did not harm them as they travelled towards Canaan. In alliance with Moab they brought about the second servitude of Israel in the time of the judges and in so doing took possession of Jericho, the first city in Canaan that had fallen to Joshua (Judg 3.12-14). This servitude lasted eighteen years.

During the times of the judges and the kings they were defeated on five occasions, by Jephthah, Saul, David, Jehoshaphat, and Jotham (see chart). David offered Hanun the king his friendship as Nahash, Hanun's father, had been kind to David, although we do not know the occasion of this kindness. This was refused, and the ambassadors were humiliated. As a result David sent Joab to attack them in retribution, which he did with his usual effectiveness. The war continued until at length David joined his armies and Rabbah the capital was taken, the cities of the Ammonites destroyed, and the Ammonites subjected to great suffering. David had the crown of the Ammonites placed on his head (2 Sam 12.26-31). It was during this time that David committed his great sin with Bathsheba (2 Sam 11.1-12.23).

Despite that defeat they continued to be Israel's enemies. They joined Babylon in an assault against Judah (2 Kings 24.2). After the return of Israel from Babylon, Tobiah the Ammonite was one of the three leaders who sought to destroy Israel's recovery (Neh 2.10). He was scornful of the work of Nehemiah in the rebuilding of the city walls. During the time of Nehemiah's absence in Babylon, Tobiah, who was friendly with Eliashib the high priest, moved into a "great chamber" in the temple. On Nehemiah's return he "cast forth all the household stuff of Tobiah" (Neh 13.4-5, 8).

Their end

The prophets spoke of the demise of Ammon as a nation. The Lord declared, "And I will make Rabbah a stable for camels, and the Ammonites a couchingplace for flocks: and ye shall know that I am the Lord" (Ezek 25.5); "Therefore as I live, saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, Surely Moab shall be as Sodom, and the children of Ammon as Gomorrah, even the breeding of nettles, and saltpits, and a perpetual desolation: the residue of my people shall spoil them, and the remnant of my people shall possess them" (Zeph 2.9). This has taken place, for the Ammonites are today not remembered among the nations. However, one further mention of them must be noted. "He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon (Dan 11.4). This describes the campaign of the Man of Sin against Israel which will take before shortly before the return of the Lord in glory. Those who are descended from the three nations mentioned are still in that area and, although not the subject of attack by the monarch, will ultimately know the judgment of the King of kings.