"Remember what Amalek did unto thee by the way, when ye were come forth out of Egypt; How he met thee by the way, and smote the hindmost of thee, even all that were feeble behind thee, when thou wast faint and weary; and he feared not God. Therefore it shall be, when the Lord thy God hath given thee rest from all thine enemies round about, in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it, that thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; thou shalt not forget it.” (Deuteronomy 25:17-19)
The Amalekites were the first people group to attack Israel when the Israelites left Egypt and started their 40 year sojourn in the Sinai Peninsula. The Amalekites were a nomadic tribe based society that roamed from the southern part of Palestine to the Negev and Sinai deserts. As the Israelites sojourned the Amalekites picked off the stragglers. They killed the men, took their flocks, goods, women and children and were constant nuisances to Israel during their journey to the Promised Land. This prompted God to decree the extermination of the Amalekites. He said that after Israel possessed the Promised Land, they were to wipe out the Amalekites. According to most scholars, David and his men finally disposed of them. All the male airs were wiped out, but at least some of the women and children were probably absorbed by the Israelites, Edomites, Midianites and Philistines.
The point of this history lesson is to remind all of us to do as the Lord commands. Follow His leadership. King Saul should have wiped out the Amalekites, but he failed to listen to the Lord. He thought his way was a much better choice. He killed a good number of them and then spared the King of the Amalekites. It took David and his men to finally complete the Lord’s command. Some would ask, “Why would a loving God command His people to wipe out an entire people group?” First, the Amalekites were a constant danger and nuisance to God’s chosen people. Second, they worshiped pagan false gods. Third, they joined other nations in battle against Israel, over and over again. I’m sure God had additional reasons, but it is not for us to judge God. He is completely holy and whatever He does is wise, good and appropriate, by definition. Judging God by human standards is tantamount to proclaiming ourselves as our own gods. Judging God’s commands, deeds or intentions is not an option.
Following the leadership of our holy and perfect God should be our honor and privilege. Honor God in everything he asks of us, because He cannot be wrong.