“Hast thou given the horse his strength? Hast thou clothed his neck with thunder? Cans’t thou make him afraid as the grasshopper? 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. The quiver rattleth against him, the glittering spear and the shield. He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and with rage: neither believest he that it is the sound of the trumpet He saith to the trumpets, ha, ha; and he smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting” – Job 39:19-24

MAN AND THE HORSE

The Lord of Hosts delights in the horse. Over nearly four millennia mankind and man’s slave and companion – the dreadful and fearful horse – have maintained an unequal partnership of prodigious importance to history.) ^1,2 The Bible itself contains more than three hundred horse-related citations. Outside of the Bible lands there is a collective testimony of deepest respect for the horse’s dynamism, fleetness and instinctive powers, which spills over into a superstitious awe of the horse’s wisdom, intellect and supposed prophetic, psychic and magical abilities.³

HORSES IN THE WRITINGS OF THE HARVEST MESSENGER

To begin our investigation of the scriptural use of horse let us completely survey the writings of Pastor Russell. Surprisingly, there is virtually no treatment of the horse, with the exception of one insightful comment on Isaiah 31:1 from Volume 3, page 316.

“Woe unto them who go down to Egypt [to the world] for help [for worldly ideas and plans, and for counsel as to how they should act in the crisis of this great day]; and stay on horses [who endeavor still to ride the old, false doctrinal hobbies], and trust in chariots [worldly organizations] because they are many; and in horsemen [the great leaders in false doctrines] because they are very strong; but who look not to the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the Lord ..”

The several score repeated references to this citation in the 1907 Bible Student Manual beclouds the fact that there are no additional significant comments on horses by Pastor Russell anywhere in his other writings. Five verses earlier, in Isaiah 30:28, we find the image of the bridle in the jaws of people [as a horse] about to be drowned in a willful attempt to charge forward and cross an overflowing river [of God’s breath, or spirit]. It is the juxtaposition of horses as people (Isaiah 30:28), and horses as doctrine (Isaiah 31:1), that suggests a depth to this image and draws the Bible student to further examine and appreciate the underlying beauty and harmony of these two related texts.

HORSES AND WARFARE

Approaching the horse image in scripture, we recognize that the horse invariably is associated with war. This may be a surprise. Usually we think of horses pulling wagons, hitched to plows, used by cowboys for rounding up cattle, and good-naturedly receiving a friendly pat on the muzzle from young children lifted up in their parents’ arms. But these jobs have come to horses since Bible times. In scripture, the horse was a fearsome weapon for cavalry.

This development was gradual. In their original wild state horses were about the size of the Shetland pony, making it impossible for them to carry any but the smallest of riders.4 Consequently the first military use of horses was as draught animals to draw chariots in the second millennium BC (Genesis 41:43; Exodus 15:1-4).⁵ Following this more than one millennium passed before selective breeding for increased size, and changes in customs of warfare, led to the highly mobile, horse-back mounted, light cavalry rider the Bible first mentions in Amos 2:15.⁶

Cavalry use of horses continued until times within living memory. Their last tactical use – in Poland during the futile resistance of 1939 – showed that tank warfare has rendered horses technologically obsolete. However, this technological advance has not ended their impact on the terror of war. Two of the most successful tank commanders of World War II, Rommel and Patton, were both ardent students of the savage Mongol cavalry commander Subedi.⁷

THE LORD OF HOSTS THE GREATEST HORSE LOVER

It seems remarkable that the Lord of Hosts, the God of Peace (Romans 15:33) attaches such great importance to horses. We read in Zechariah 6:8, “Behold – these that go up into the North country have quieted my spirit in the North country” In context we see this refers to the black horses drawing war chariots (Zechariah 6:1-2). What could possibly be in the disposition and actions of these black horses that has quieted the spirit of the Lord?

Could it be that these black horses represent the church itself, a class that has aggressively lived out sound doctrine? But why are the horses black and not white? In the Song of Solomon 1:5-9 the Beloved is black, but comely. Moreover, she is likened to the horses of Pharaoh’s chariot. Today a young man would not be advised to give this complement to his beloved, but this shows the esteem in which horses were held and this illusion makes perfect sense to any horse lover.

Scripturally, justification is represented by whiteness. The church goes beyond this justification and gets out in the sun, working in the field, as the Beloved did in verse 6: “I am black because of the sun”

Another reason black is chosen in Zechariah may be that genetically recessive black is the rarest color for the Arabian horse. This characteristic, together with the belief that black was a color of bad luck, caused the blackness to be almost bred out of these noble creatures. Surely, black Arabian horses are rare gems like the church.

But all of this begs the question: Why are there constant allusions to warfare with horses? As we think of war, perhaps images of suffering, death and depravation that accompany warfare crowd upon some of us. Perhaps indignation at falsehoods, greed, and viciousness that spawn warfare crowd upon others. Warfare is a hostile struggle of wills, where one group of men, through any means including violence, determines to impose its will on others. Horses, man’s greatest source of strength and movement in warfare, thus picture highly motivated people people of iron will, people who live their doctrines. People who believe doctrines but do not put them into practice are not horses, they are the “footmen” of Jeremiah 12:5. The concern is only with those people who are motivated to act on their doctrines.

However, horse-likeness goes well beyond motivation based on correct or incorrect understanding of Biblical scriptural doctrine. The willful class (in this case “the nations”), plunging forward into the flood of Isaiah 30:28, have little or no knowledge of scripture. Neither did Sennacherib whom the Lord directed like a camel and a horse: “Therefore I will put my ring in thy nose [as one would direct a camel], and my bit in thy lips [as one would direct a horse]” (Isaiah 37:29, Rotherham).

In the broadest sense, Horses seem to be an image for our inner motivating energy. This is a psychological energy, that special portion of the general physical energy that mankind draws on for motivation. Horse energy can be directed for good or for harm. For harm, it can motivate us to literally pick fights or aggressively pursue false religion, ill-gotten wealth, licentiousness, sinful pleasure, or “unbridled” power.⁸

Exercised positively, it opens our hearts to the good things of the Lord. This “horse power” revitalizes us to go to an evening ecclesia meeting even after a day where we have missed deadlines, listened through the petty arguments of our co-workers, interceded for our children at school, had our hands full as our toddler’s fever kept up through the night, and after all this, have heard that we need to do more, faster, and with less help than ever.

For the Christian, horses are the driving power of our consecrated living They picture the holy Spirit in action. Horses are directly equated with spirit in Isaiah 30:3 and Zechariah 6:5.⁹ Now it becomes apparent how doctrine represents a special manifestation of horse-likeness. O that we might be black horses and that all our energy and drive might be motivated by energy of Biblical doctrine lived!

SCRIPTURAL LESSONS FROM THE CHARACTER OF THE HORSE

What special lessons, then, does the Lord have in the character of the horse?

1. Endurance. The Arabian horse is a marvelous creature admired everywhere for its grace of form, endurance, intelligence and loyalty. The Argentine Paso Fino may have the smoothest riding gait, the Dutch Warm Blood the highest jump, the Andulusian Lippinzer more dressage tricks and the Thorobred the fastest sprint, but when the hundred milecross country endurance races are run those who finish first are still the purebred Arabians. The lesson for us is to run the race with endurance, pressing toward the mark for the prize of the high calling (Philippians 3:14)
2. Loyalty. A famous Arabian account illustrates how exacting the Bedouins were in selecting horses. According to the story a group of exhausted, weary mares returning from a long patrol were turned loose near their drinking hole. As the horses galloped to the water a surprise attack caused the trumpet to sound the battle cry. Only five of the weary mares halted, turned and raced to their masters. These five loyal mares were selected to become the founders of the five major sub-families of Arabian horses we know today. The lesson for us is faithful service even at the sacrifice of our flesh.
3. Singleness of Vision. The eyes of beasts that need to constantly watch for enemies are set far apart on the sides of their head, giving them great breadth of vision. They are able to see almost a full circle around them. However they can only properly judge depth in a narrow band. The lesson for us is the importance of the Lord’s instruction in Matthew 6:22, “If therefore shine eye be single, then is thy whole body light”
4. Carefulness around the Unusual. As we read the description of this well-trained war horse in Job, we might think horses are fearless. But remember the words in Job about being “afraid as the grasshopper.” Horse people call this being “spooked.” Perhaps we have had this experience. We are in a discussion with a brother and say something perfectly fine but find they are “spooked” by it. There was no danger, the concepts were fully in harmony with the Lord’s plan, but the concepts were unfamiliar and frightened them. The lesson for is to gently present scriptural ideas to our brethren, and to measure each new experience and idea with caution, but not bolt away in terror when no real danger is present. Remember that we are going to be seeing new and unusual things for the rest of eternity.
5. Horses have tremendous need for fellowship. Horses are happy with other horses in the herd. Indeed, many horses become desperately nervous and unruly if left out in a field by themselves. They have a social structure with their favorites, and those who annoy them are kicked at with no apparent provocation. The scriptures constantly admonish us to continue in our fellowship, as in 1 John 1:7 But there is a problem with what horse people call being “herd bound.” This is when the horse does not wish to serve his master except when the other horses are there. We recall that impetuous Peter wanted to know what would become of John, and received the terse reply “Follow thou me” (John 21:20-24). The lesson for us is to esteem fellowship but not be “herd bound”
6. Horses can become “Barn sour.” Horses love the barn. With no effort on their part they are fed the richest grain, watered and protected from the weather. “Barn sour” means the horse never wants to leave the barn. He loves his stall. These horses have even been known to run back into a burning barn and perish. The horse in its natural state is not in a barn. It feeds up to eighteen hours a day and runs across the fields. We remember Matthew 13:38, “The field is the world.” The lesson for us: be cautious in this arrangement called the ecclesia, where we are fed, watered and secure. We must not become “barn sour” and wish never to leave for duty in the fields.
7. Horses are quiet, waiting to hear their master’s voice. We, likewise, should listen quietly for the master’s voice.
8. Horses are absolute experts at reading body language. Clever Hans, the famous nineteenth century “counting horse” is still remembered for his purported ability to solve simple math problems. Hans related the solution by appropriately tapping his front hoof to count the correct integer answer. Subsequent scientific investigation showed that Hans was sensing when to stop by the nervousness of his owner as the correct answer was approached. Even audiences without Hans’ owner present were unable to disguise the correct answer from him by their unconscious tension.11 The lesson for us is to be attentive to our Lord’s voice, and even to his slightest gesture.
9. Horses are very cautious about what they drink. You have heard the expression, “You can bring a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink” Horses at a barn need close to 100 gallons of water per day – the same high demands city planners figure for their citizens’ needs. Horses are very cautious about what they take in for water, and even the sniff of something not quite right will stop them from drinking. We also have high water demands to keep our spiritual health, but this “water of life” is the doctrine taken in and applied in our hearts and showing forth in our lives.
10. Horses cannot vomit. Colic is a sometimes fatal condition that afflicts horses. It seems such a disadvantage that even the most clever evolutionists have given up trying to explain why it may be an advantage to survival.12 Perhaps this condition has been permitted in horses to serve as a sign to the church. Normally the horse is careful about its food. On the occasion when it takes in something poisonous or tainted, most animals vomit out the offending portion, but horses are incapable of this. They must suffer through the experience. So with the Christian. When we take in a bad experience we cannot just throw it out. We must go through the experience so that it becomes part of us, part of making us faithful and compassionate high priests. Yes, we are to be careful in choosing our food. We remember what is bad, and we avoid it. (Contrast this with the dogs of 2 Peter 2:22.) But the lesson for us is that tribulations are needful to serve as the steps to a higher plane.

SUMMARY

Dear brethren, how can we daily live the doctrines of the Bible more fully? Will we be out in the fields, in the sun, until we are black like those who comfort the Lord’s spirit when they go into the North country? May the Lord richly bless your further study.

— Richard Doctor

 

---

¹ Toynbee, A., Mankind and Mother Earth, Oxford, 1976, page 94. This was the last book by the pre-eminent historian of our times. Any of his writings, but particularly the abridged A Study of History, are very highly recommended to Bible Students. He is the only historian to my knowledge to particularly mark out 1875 as the high water-mark and turning point for western civilization.

² Morris, D., Horsewatching, Crown Publishers, NY, 1988, page 3.

³ Cooper, J.C., Symbolic and Mythological Animals, Harper Collins, 1992, page 131.

⁴ As a general rule the horseback rider should be approximately one-sixth the weight of the horse.

⁵ Toynbee, op cit., page 93.

⁶ Between the time of Solomon 10th century BC) and Amos (8th century BC) the ferocity of warfare increased with the advent of horseback mounted archers armed with iron, rather than bronze, weapons.

⁷ Chambers, J., The Devil’s Horsemen – The Mongol Invasion of Europe, Athenum, NY, 1979, page 67.

⁸ One additional lesson may help to amplify on the text in Job quoted at the start of this article. The phrase “clothed his neck with thunder” is an obvious reference to the horse’s mane, but there seems to be some confusion as to why this simile was employed. As it turns out, one of the Arabian sub-families has a gray coat with a flowing black mane. As I was watching one such handsome Arabian gelding peacefully grazing, a thunderstorm approached. In the afternoon light, the leading edge of the thunderhead’s blackness contrasted against the gray sky in a perfect match of the contrasting coat and mane.

⁹ The psychological term “libido” seems to map into the scriptural image for horse exceedingly well. While the original Freudian use of “libido” was limited to sexual energy, analytical psychology has broadened its use to be consistent with the application here. Jacobi, J., The Psychology of C G. Jung, Yale, 1973, page 53.

¹⁰ At another time it may be a blessing to explore the specific use of horses in Zechariah. The Bible student should not be surprised to find that the chariots of Zechariah 6 match one for one with the planes on the Chart of the Ages during the Messianic Age (right down to the detail of two horses – Israel “grilled” and the world “bay” linked in their journey to the “south” country, or the earthly phase of the kingdom.) This interpretation can be reconstructed if the horse colors of Zechariah 1 are accurately reconciled with Zechariah 6, recognizing that Zechariah 1 takes place during the “bottom” (Zechariah 1:8) of the church’s 70 year captivity (Zechariah 1:12) when the heathen, led by the “red” man of sin, are at ease (Zechariah 1:15).

¹¹ Morris, D., op cit., page 81; 10. Horses have a great desire to make their master happy, but it is believed that they never know quite what to do with us. If you want to know whether a horse is happy, you watch its ears. When a horse’s ears are forward, they are “happy ears.” Our ears, laying flat and backward on our heads, are “sour ears” always signaling in horse language that we are unhappy.

 

---

Download PDF