Are we no smarter than horses?

Isaiah 31

When Jan and I were very young, we wanted to be in the horse business, and guess what, we grew up in a city not on a ranch, and we knew little about horses, but that they are beautiful animals.  No one told us they would kick and bite you, and get caught in barbwire, and given a chance they would buck you off.  I could share many-bought lessons about our horses, but that is not the point I hope to make.  Horses work best when they have been broken and taught the word “Woe.”  I thought it was very interesting, when I saw God using the word “Woe” when addressing you and I, are we no smarter than horses?

God is speaking through Isaiah, hear him; “Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and 

rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because 

they are very strong, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or consult the LORD!”  

(Isaiah 31:1)  Egypt portrays man’s desire to run for help, run to what looks strong, and most 

of the time they do not count the cost of running to Egypt, but Egypt also represents loss of 

freedom, loss of rights to choose, in Egypt there is slavery.  Egypt may have looked to Judea 

much like the United States looks to Israel, but “Woe” for it will cost you more than you are 

willing to pay.  

But what about you and I, followers of Jesus Christ, why do we desire to have Egypt’s in our 

life?  Now think before you speak, are you looking to God as your protector or the local police 

dept.   Are you looking to the military or God, and who are you trusting for your retirement, 

your health care, God, or some Egypt?  It is easy to think someone else foolish for not looking 

to God, that is, before you examine yourself.  We like our Egypt’s!

We the church of all people in the world should look to the Holy One of Israel, we of all people 

should consult the Lord.  We as a nation would be wise to pay close attention to Isaiah’s 

words; The Egyptians are man, and not God, and their horses are flesh, and not spirit.  When 

the LORD stretches out his hand, the helper will stumble, and he who is helped will fall, and 

they will all perish together.  For thus the LORD said to me, “As a lion or a young lion growls 

over his prey, and when a band of shepherds is called out against him he is not terrified by 

their shouting or daunted at their noise, so the LORD of hosts will come down to fight on 

Mount Zion and on its hill. Like birds hovering, so the LORD of hosts will protect Jerusalem; 

he will protect and deliver it; he will spare and rescue it.”  (Isaiah 31:3-5)

Only a foolish person would run to Egypt when God has given him His word, His guarantee.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice