Amalekite Attack and a Banner: The people continued their journey, traveling from place to place as the LORD commanded. It sounds like a good beginning. The Lord was their personal guide in the wilderness and they followed. Exodus 17, however, presents two new serious encounters, both rife with conflict. The people quarreled with Moses (vv. 1–7) and were attacked by the Amalekites (vv. 8–16). The internal and external threats provided new opportunities for growth. Their escalated quarrel with Moses revealed the internal dysfunction of their nascent relationship with the Lord and God’s chosen leader. The external threat from Amalek confirmed the ongoing need for the Lord’s protection and Moses’ leadership. These crises also confirmed the leadership of the elders and Joshua and the presence …