ANIMALS OF THE BIBLE

8. The Horse – Standing Proudly

“Hast thou given the horse strength? hast thou clothed his neck with thunder?”

Job 39:19
The horse is probably the largest animal which we commonly see. Some horses are found in the wild in Britain, in forest and on moorland, but generally those we see have been domesticated. They are magnificent animals and of great benefit to man. The life span of a horse may be thirty years or more.

There are many special names associated with the horse. The male horse is known as a stallion and the female as a mare. A newborn horse is called a foal, the male a colt and the female a filly. A horse which is black and white in colour is termed ‘piebald’. One which is white and any other colour besides black is described as ‘skewbald’.

There are many different breeds of horse but they can be divided into three groups. The smallest horses are generally called ponies. Perhaps the best-known type is the Shetland pony. The medium-sized horses are known as light horses: the Arabian is one of these. The biggest horses are termed draft horses. The Clydesdale is one we are familiar with. A draft horse might be six feet tall at the shoulder and weigh over a ton.

The horse has long been used by man and has been bred for particular purposes. Ponies were once used to pull trucks in coalmines where space was limited. Light horses are the favourite for riding and sometimes for pulling carriages. Draft horses were once to be seen on farms, harnessed to ploughs or pulling heavy carts.

In our text we meet a special horse with special qualities. God is speaking to Job and telling him of the wonderful creatures which he has made. Each one has features from which Job should learn. The Lord describes in detail the warhorse. It is going into battle, perhaps carrying a king at the head of his troops or perhaps pulling a chariot in which the king is seated. What makes the horse so useful in warfare and what can it teach us about the Christian life?

Firstly the horse is swift. “He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage” (v.24). The warhorse has legs which are long and slender below and thick and muscled above, which give it great speed. A thoroughbred horse can gallop at forty miles an hour even with a man in the saddle.

There is a warfare in this world which is more important that any of the conflicts which take place among the nations. It is the battle for our souls. The devil holds us captive because of our sin and threatens to destroy us in hell. If we are to win salvation then we must use all speed. The gospel warns us to “flee from the wrath to come” (Matt.3:7) by repenting of our sins and trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ. Do not be like Lot who lingered and was nearly lost (Gen.19:16)!

Our need for speed does not end when we come to Christ. There are temptations on every side which we must resist. Paul warns believers to “flee from idolatry” (1Cor.10:14). What is that? It is making a god of anyone or anything that is not God. Where are we to go when we are tempted? There is a sure refuge for us. “The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe” (Prov.18:10).

Then the horse is strong. God has given the horse a great strength, even for war. There is of course the strength of its large body, especially the long neck. Its mane adds to its powerful appearance. But the horse also has a great lung capacity. This enables it to run over long periods and not grow weary.

The Christian does not win all his battles at once. Instead he must persevere in his striving against sin and in his pursuit of holiness. The Bible says “let us run with patience the race that is set before us” (Heb.12:1). The believer looks to Jesus and being confident of his help he says to the Lord, “I will run the way of thy commandments” (Psa.119:32).

Finally the horse is spirited. God has clothed its neck with thunder. When the warhorse shakes its neck and neighs “the glory of his nostrils is terrible” (v.20). It is revealing its courageous character. It is always ready to go into battle; “he goeth on to meet the armed men. He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted; neither turneth he back from the sword” (vv.21-22).

It is good to have a strong spirit as a Christian. Saul of Tarsus was a determined man before his conversion but he did evil in persecuting the church. Like a wild horse his spirit had to be broken and tamed. What a marvellous change God worked in him by his grace! Saul’s pride was taken away and he sorrowed for his sins. As the apostle Paul he became a bold and fearless preacher of the faith which he once destroyed.

During his ministry Paul said, “I am set for the defence of the gospel” (Phil.1:17). At the end of his days he said, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (2Tim.4:7). What was the secret of his success? It was this. He said: “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth” (Rom.1:16). Do you know and love Jesus as your Lord and Saviour? If you do then you too will stand proudly and be faithful to him until your dying day.