Hamstring the Horses

Dec. 18

Read: Joshua 11, Pslam 20:7, Is. 31:1

Hamstring the Horses

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” - Psalm 20:7

“Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or consult the LORD!” - Is. 31:1

There is a wild detail given to us in Joshua 11:6,9 concerning the Lord’s instruction to hamstring the horses and burn the chariots of the enemy soldiers. Why would God instruct Israel to do this? The truth is that horses and chariots are powerful weapons of war in that day and age. Instead of taking these animals and vehicles into battle, they were rendered inoperable by cutting their hamstrings and burning the chariots. In short, God was intentionally keeping from Israel weapons that would have made them a stronger army. I believe he was doing this because he knew that it would require his people’s reliance upon him for future battles… in short: God wants his people to rely upon HIM for victory in battle and not on mankind’s latest weapons of war of their day.

We see in Psalms (and Isiah), this idea is clearly stated:

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.”

It would be very natural in that day and age to trust in horses and chariots for victory instead of the Lord. The Lord knew this and wanted his people to stay near to him… hence his instruction to hamstring the horses and burn the chariots. In terms of earthly/human wisdom, this does not make much sense though. To the outside observers, it would seem silly or wasteful… “Why not take these weapons and use them” would be the thought. You see, God is careful to protect his people from those things that would easily suck them in and distract them from relying upon him. Likewise, having seen how they prevailed against those same horses and chariots with the Lord, why would they think they needed them anyway?

I know that oftentimes in life, we can look around and see things that would seem as if they would help us in our battles. We can imagine having certain things and thinking how much easier or more successful we would be in our efforts. In a sense, it is like looking around and seeing other people’s “horses and chariots” and thinking that we would be better off with them. The Lord calls us to “place our trust in the name of the Lord our God.” This is not always easy to do… and at times it will not make sense to the outside observer. It is because the Lord loves us that he “hamstrings the horses”. It is so tempting to place our trust in the “state of the art weapons” of the day - sometimes the kindest thing that the Lord does is to withhold those things from us so that our trust is rooted in HIM… the one who is greater than any weapon turned against his people. Love you guys. - JDP