Unsung Hero--Hur

Sometimes in life we all could use a hand.

Moses needed help during the forty years he spent leading Israel through the wilderness. He took advice from Jethro, leaned on Aaron, and was comforted by Joshua. Those three men were famous in their own right: Jethro was a priest, Aaron was the High Priest, and Joshua was the general who later replaced Moses.

But there is another man who helped Moses too. His name was Hur.

Shortly after Israel crossed the Red Sea, and before they reached Sinai, the Amalekites launched a surprise attack on the caravan. General Joshua led his men in battle, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up on a hill to watch and pray. As Moses lifted his arms towards heaven (which was the traditional posture of prayer), he saw Joshua and Israel succeed; but when he lowered his heavy arms the Amalekites prevailed.

Moses tried to keep his arms up, but eventually his strength was gone. Aaron and Hur sat Moses on a large rock, and with one man on each side, held up Moses’ hands until Israel won the battle.

Who was Hur? Most scholars believe this is the only mention of him in Scripture. Josephus says he was married to Miriam, making him the brother-in-law of Moses and Aaron. The Talmud says he was Miriam’s son, making him Moses’ and Aaron’s nephew. They can’t both be right, so the truth is, we don’t know.

Unlike Jethro, Aaron, and Joshua, Hur is otherwise lost in history. But one thing is for sure: Moses was glad to have him by his side when the Amalekites attacked.

You might not ever be the general or priest, but that doesn’t mean God can’t use you to make a big difference. Look to be a Hur for someone today.

But Moses’ hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.

Exodus 17:12