Just a Stick?

So Joshua did what Moses had commanded and fought the army of Amalek.  Meanwhile, Moses, Aaron, and Hur climbed to the top of a nearby hill.  As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage.  But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage.  Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up.  So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on.  Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands.  So his hands held steady until sunset.  As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle. [Exodus 17.10-13]

Would it not have worked as well for Aaron and Hur to simply takes turns holding the staff themselves and let Moses take a break?

Of course it would have... IF... the staff contained the power.  But that was not the case.  The staff was merely a stick outside of Moses' hands.  But in Moses' hands, the staff represented the anointing and power of God.

The next question is, was Moses powerful and anointed without the staff?

Father, help me to understand the significance of the things I read in the Bible.  Help me to see Your story in every story and circumstance chronicled within its pages.