Jesus in Exodus 17

Once you become aware of types in Scripture, you cannot help but see them.  I am re-reading Exodus, and was already familiar with the “rock in the wilderness” as a type for Christ in Exodus 17:6.  In this passage, Moses strikes the rock to quench the thirst of the Israelites, which many commentaries state is a type for Christ’s death.  The water is said to symbolize both Christ's side being pierced, and the Holy Spirit. 

Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

Two verses later in this chapter, I came across an image that really jumped off the page as a much clearer type for the crucifixion of Christ.  It is the story of how Moses helps Joshua overcome Amalek and his people in Exodus 17:8-12:

⁸Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. ⁹And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. ¹⁰So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. ¹¹And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. ¹²But 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 (emphasis added).

Chuck Smith points out in his commentary that Amalek was the grandson of Esau, who was of the fleshly seed; making Amalek a type for the flesh.  Both Smith and Ray Stedman have written that these passages describe a battle against the flesh.  In his commentary, Matthew Henry writes that Moses has his arms lifted because he was praying, but Scripture does not say this directly.  In the book of Numbers, Scripture does describe two occasions when Moses prayed: 

And the people cried unto Moses; and when Moses prayed unto the LORD, the fire was quenched. (Numbers 11:2)

Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. (Numbers 21:7)

It sounds like the battle against Amalek was a long one, because Exodus 17:12 clearly communicates that Moses suffered considerable strain.  Just as our Lord suffered terrible physical strain when he was hung upon that cross at Calvary. 

I wonder if the Lord is telling us in Exodus 17:6 and Exodus 17:8-12 that because of Christ’s death, as believers we receive the Holy Spirit, which helps us battle against the flesh to “win” salvation of our soul?