THE HORSE.
LET us see, dear children, what we can find in God’s word about the horse. In Job. 39:19-25 we find a very remarkable description of this animal. I trust you will read it all. I will quote part of it. “The glory of his nostrils is terrible. He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength: he goeth on to meet the armed men. He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted; neither turneth he back from the sword.” v. 20-22. From this you see that the horse of the Bible, was an animal used in war—indeed it is a symbol of war, as the domestic ass is of peace. We find that the horse formed no part of the possessions of God’s people. They went out of Egypt with their cattle; the Egyptians followed with horses and chariots, till the Red Sea swallowed them up. The true Israelite could say: “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.” Ps. 20:7. In Dent. 17 we find this direction for their king after they had come into the promised land, “But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses.” But King Solomon disregarded the word of the Lord, “And Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen. . . . And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt.” 1 Kings 10:26, 2826And Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he bestowed in the cities for chariots, and with the king at Jerusalem. (1 Kings 10:26)
28And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: the king's merchants received the linen yarn at a price. (1 Kings 10:28). No doubt Solomon made himself great in the eyes of the nations about him by this means, but alas! in the next chapter, we see his downfall, His heart was not perfect with the Lord his God. See, dear children, what a solemn thing it is to disobey God, and where it may end.
In Ps. 34 we are told not to be like the horse or the mule, which must be held in with bit and bridle. “We put bits in the horses’ mouths that they may obey us.” (Jas. 3:33Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. (James 3:3)) God says to His people, “I will guide thee with Mine eye.” But if we will not obey, God may have to check us with bit and bridle. That is something we cannot resist which checks us in our wilful ways. It may be sickness, loss of property, or anything to show us we are not walking in His ways, and being guided by His eye.
One thing more. We have seen our blessed Lord Jesus down here, meek and lowly, riding upon an ass. Now turn to Rev. 19, and look with the beloved John into the open heavens. You see One riding on a white horse, followed by the armies of heaven. Can it be “that same Jesus”? Yes, look at His name by which He is called “The Word of God.”
And again, verse 16, “King of kings, and Lord of Lords.” None else can claim that title. When we saw Him riding on the ass, He was about to be judged at man’s judgment-seat—to be condemned, and then to bear the awful judgment of God, for man’s sin. When we see Him on the horse, He, Himself is the judge. (v. 11) “He Both judge and make war.”
Ah! dear ones, now is the time to own Him as your Lord, and not wait for Him to come “Lord of Lords.” Those who own Him now, will be with Him then. “Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world?” 1 Cor. 6:22Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? (1 Corinthians 6:2).
Take your place with the meek and lowly, despised and rejected Jesus who once rode an ass, and then you will not fear the One with eyes of flame, riding the white horse.
E. G. B.
ML 02/18/1900