Matthew 22:16 They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are.” NIV

Who is speaking here? The Pharisees. What are they doing? Trying to trap Jesus. Notice how they begin with respect, teacher; the Pharisees call Him teacher. So often the enemy will come at you first by putting you at easy, coming to you as if they are a friend.

Then they try to puff Him up with flattering words like integrity and truth. Both are true but the heart behind those comments is anything but sincere. The words sound nice but the hearts of those men were cloaked to disguise their intent.

Then comes the inadvertent lie. They state what they believe to be true but is so far from truth that only Jesus Himself might see it for the lie it is in truth. “You pay no attention” is the lie. It is subtle but it is there. The serpent in the garden was subtle, now these men are exposed for who they truly serve.

Psalm 44:21 Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.

Jesus knows full and well what was going on in the hearts of men. He is not deceived, nor does He want us to be deceived. It is His desire that we see the truth for what it is and a lie likewise. Truth mixed with error is the way of the enemy. It is a mixed bag.

So often we do not listen with our spiritual ears because we are busy thinking about what to say next. We wait for the opportunity to speak rather than listen. The enemy counts on it because he knows we are impatient.

Proverbs 1:5a A wise man will hear

Exodus 17:12 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.

Ever hear a teaching about the events surrounding this passage? Perhaps you heard more than one. As long as Moses’ hands were steadfast Israel was winning the battle. I have heard many an encouragement to be steadfast in prayer. I have also heard exhortations to those in battle, that others are fighting a spiritual battle just as these three stood on a hill above the battle. I’ve heard a call to service in lifting up and supporting leaders as Aaron and Hur did that day.

I’ve heard that we cannot do these things in our own strength. We need the support of others and not to try to do everything yourself. I have to admit those are all great points that are designed to help us through tough times because we need all the help we can get.

Want to know what I have never heard taught on these verses?

I never once heard a sermon on the stone upon which Moses sat.

Isaiah 28:6 Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

Think about the humility of our Lord not to make Himself the focal point of the story. He is there. Moses sat upon that stone, the tried stone. No example was set in this telling that pointed to that stone. What if Moses regained his strength and got up off that stone? Would Israel have begun to lose? We will never know because our Lord chose to be humble in that moment.

Can we be that humble when the battle is being won? Can we remember upon whom we believe?