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A Horse Of Course

In Biblical times, horses represented military power and strength.  And if you had both horses and chariots, well, that was the ultimate of military powers and wars were often won with them.

Yet in seeking to have what would normally be considered insurmountable military strength, there was one factor that was often overlooked.  The Psalmist made it clear what that factor was when he wrote:  “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.”  (Ps 20:7)

While Israel did at times trust in the name of the Lord, there were other times when they tried to trust in horses and chariots to win their battles.  This is what the Lord spoke to Israel through the prophet Isaiah:  “Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help,  who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the Lord.”  (Isa 31:1)

While battles and wars certainly were often won with superior military strength, ultimately the victory rested with the Lord.  So does that mean people were supposed to scrap the horse altogether?  In Proverbs, we find this: “The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord.” (Prov 21:31)

It seems that people were still supposed to get the horse ready for battle and probably even go into battle with it, but the real issue seemed to be that of not relying on the horse alone but to trust in the Lord for victory. 

To us, the horse seems to be an outmoded part of military strategies and conquests, but one day Jesus will ride on a horse to wage war against his enemies and He will win.  See for yourself:

“I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. 13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.”   (Rev 19:11-15)

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