“The horse is prepared against the day of battle; but safety” (victory, vide margin) “is of the Lord.”—Proverbs 21:31.
Interpretation.—This proverb follows appropriately upon the preceding. In that we are taught that “no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel (can prevail) against Jehovah.” In this that human strength and reliance on human aid against our foes is useless without God’s blessing upon them. The war-horse, so eulogized by the Creator (Job 39:19–25), is a splendid sight as it stands caparisoned for battle; how much more a well-mounted force of cavalry! Yet shall these utterly fail to achieve victory unless God will it.
Illustrations.—The horse was forbidden to be used in battle among the Jews (Deut. 17:16), in order that they might ascribe the glory of their victories to Jehovah. Hence it was that Joshua houghed all the horses taken in battle (Josh. 11:6, 9). By Solomon this law was violated. And the national glory in battle began to wane from the time when this veto was disregarded. Defeat commenced from the very quarter of unwarranted confidence (comp. 1 Kings 10:26, 28, with 1 Kings 11:14–26 and 2 Chron. 12:8, 9). Sisera’s army, with its nine hundred chariots of iron, was easily defeated by Barak’s chosen force, not only without chariots or horses, but even disarmed (Judg. 5:8); so that the “victory” was seen to be “of the Lord.” The same was true of Gideon’s picked three hundred, and in both cases “their faith subdued kingdoms” (Heb. 11:32, 33). The renunciation of their confidence in horses marked a time of gracious acceptance for Israel (Hos. 14:3).
Application.—The newspapers often teem with speculations about war. But how seldom does the Lord of hosts appear to be taken into account! As a Christian, let me endeavor to supply the want I find in them. I ought to remember that victory is of God. True, the means must be employed, or God cannot be expected to bless our arms even in a righteous cause. It is a part of His moral government that good results do not ordinarily flow except from well-considered efforts. Therefore, as long as war is a necessity, there must be armies kept up, well disciplined and equipped. But this is not all. God can save without armies, but armies cannot conquer without Him. Hence, national prayer should always accompany national warfare. And since the many pray not, those who are prayerful must supply their places by redoubling their prayers. The principle applies no less to the spiritual combat. Vain are our efforts (redoubled, it may be, in Lent) to conquer the enemies of the soul, if we are looking to those efforts for success. The secret of victory must lie in the motto, “Through God we shall do great acts, and it is He that shall tread down our enemies.”
Pearson, C. R. (1880). Counsels of the Wise King; or, Proverbs of Solomon Applied to Daily Life (Vol. 1, p. 87). W. Skeffington & Son. (Public Domain)
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