Holding Up My Husband's Hands

In my study today in Exodus 17, I read a very familiar story. But the Lord used it to speak to my heart in a totally new way today.

The children of Israel are struggling through the wilderness. They begin to doubt whether God is really with them, and they get angry at Moses again when they have no water. Moses begs the Lord for help before the people stone him, and God gives water from a rock!

Now the people are faced with their first military battle since leaving Egypt. They are up against the army of the Amalekites.

Moses, Aaron, and Hur go up to the top of a mountain to watch the battle. Moses as the leader has the rod of God, which symbolizes God's divine help, in his hand. As long as he holds up the rod, the army of Israel is victorious, but if the rod starts to droop, the enemy begins to have the advantage.

Remember Moses is over 80 at this time. He's got a tremendous job on his hands now as leader of a stubborn, ungrateful nation of people. He's tired and weary from the weight of it all.

So in Exodus 17:12, Aaron and Hur come alongside Moses to help.

But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.

As I read this account, I was reminded of my role as a wife. I need to be holding up my husband's hands the same way Aaron and Hur held up Moses'.

My husband has a lot of responsibility as leader of our home and provider for our family. He has a lot of weight on his shoulders; a lot more than I would want to take on myself! He gets up super early every morning, works long hours in a factory, and comes home exhausted but still ready and willing to do some chores and play with his boys.

As his wife, God has given me the task of being a "help meet for him." I am here to give him aid, support, and encouragement in all he does. As homeschool moms especially, I think we often focus so much on our children and we sometimes forget the needs of the man to whom we pledged our undying love. Surely homeschooling would be very difficult without my husband working so hard to support our family so that I am able to be home.

I want to be there for my husband to "lift up the hands which hang down and strengthen the feeble knees." (Hebrews 12:12)

I want to be there to "speak a word in season to him that is weary." (Isaiah 50:4)

I want to be there to support him when he's standing alone against a cruel world.

I want to encourage him when he hasn't heard a kind word at work all day.

I want to be there to offer him a kiss and a smile just when he was about to feel like giving up.

I want to be there with a warm meal when he comes in tired and hungry.

I want to lend him a listening ear when he needs to pour out his heart.

I want to be ready to "do him good and not evil" all the days of my life. (Proverbs 31:12)

Because of Aaron and Hur's help to their leader, the army of Israel had God's blessing and they were victorious.

My husband is so precious, and his role is so important to our family. And by finding little ways to come alongside him holding up his hands, I can help insure that our family lives victoriously under the blessing of God!

Let's talk about this! Tell me some practical ways wives can hold up their husbands hands as Aaron and Hur did for Moses. How do you encourage and support your man? Leave a comment below!!

Linked Up at: Women Living Well, Hearts for Home, Friday Fellowship



This post contains affiliate links.

Subscribe to my e-newsletter and get my 1 Corinthians 13 Activity Packet FREE!

* indicates required

Email Address *

First Name

Last Name