In Exodus 14:14, Moses said, “The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” Here, however, we see the clear command, “Go out and fight!” Why this difference?

The preceding chapters talk about redemption. And what can man contribute to it? “Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mt. 16:26). It is a matter that springs entirely from the heart of God and that His Son accomplished on the cross. There He fought for us, and now we stand before Him in faith with grateful hearts.

But here we see the redeemed people, who are on their journey through the desert. Enemies appear, such as Amalek, and attack them. The same is the case today: Satan can no longer harm anyone in terms of eternity because we have been redeemed and bought for God through the blood of the Lamb of God, but Satan will still try to make the saint fall during his journey down here.

And this battle will not be won without our effort! It says, “Choose us some men,” strong men are sought after, “and go out, and fight!” Fight! The path of faith is not a meadow of flowers, but a battlefield (1 Tim. 6:12; 2 Tim. 4:7). We have enemies, and God’s Word informs us adequately so that we can recognize them. At the same time, it shows us the need for the armor of God: “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Eph. 6:13).