HAMSTRINGING HORSES
«But the Lord said to Joshua, ‘Do not be afraid because of them, for tomorrow about this time I will deliver all of them slain before Israel. You shall hamstring their horses and burn their chariots with fire'» (Joshua 11:6).
As the people of Israel neared their final destiny of possessing Canaan, God’s supernatural acts diminished, but that did not mean that God ‘s presence diminished. They were still to confront kingdoms and fortresses. They had to trust, remember past miracles, and vigorously exercise their faith. At the beginning of any enterprise, you could see the miraculous hand of God in many ways. God wanted to demonstrate His approval and He was building your faith. Now you must move forward in trust, even though you don’t see miracles, and show that your faith has matured to the point where you don’t need a miraculous event in order to keep believing and trusting that God directs your plans just as He directed Joshua in that war against the kings of the North.
Once again Joshua confronted dangers and difficulties. They were about to face an army that was so numerous and strong that it is described «as the sand that is on the seashore» (Joshua 11:4). Josephus the historian affirms that there were «three hundred thousand armed footmen, and ten thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand chariots.»—SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 2, p. 231. Joshua was to go forward trusting in the words of today’s text. They would have the victory, but they were not to keep the spoils.
The word «hamstring» refers to cutting the tendons of the back legs of the horses. You might be wondering «Why was God ordering this mistreatment of the animals? Wouldn’t it have been easier for them to keep these thousands of horses and thousands of chariots? The horses were the «armored vehicles» of the day, the most powerful weapons they had; wouldn’t they be useful for future battles? Why this drastic action?» God wanted for the Israelites to believe in His promises. «Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the Lord our God» (Psalm 20:7).
When you face a new challenge, remember that God’s intention is for you to keep leaning on the Word of God. Although no immediate miracles appear, keep trusting. «Tomorrow,» when you face your problems as you should, God will fight for you. You don’t need to keep the «spoils.» You know that you will have to «hamstring the horses» and «burn the chariots.»
Don’t be afraid; leave those who pursue you in the hands of God.
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Taken from: Devotional Thoughts for Women 2023
“DAUGHTER OF MINE” Do Not Be Afraid
From: Arsenia Fernandez-Uckele
Collaborators: Xiomara Perdomo & Angelica Cuate