Should Israel ever have an earthly King, trying to be like the nations who surrounded her, God preemptively placed some restrictions on that man, whomever he might be.
One of those “prohibitions” involved horses!
“But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.” Deuteronomy 17:16
Why couldn’t the King “collect” horses?
Because in that long-ago day horses were not used primarily for ploughing, working a field agriculturally. Not for personal enjoyment. Really not even for transportation, traveling.
They were essentially animals of “war!”
And God Himself wanted to be Israel’s DEFENSE!
Her PROTECTOR!
Her “ARMY!”
Read these verses, God’s view of horses.
“Some trust in chariots, and some in HORSES: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.” Psalm 20:7
“There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. An HORSE is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.” Psalm 33:16-17
God’s longing: “But I will have mercy upon the house of Judah, and will save them by the LORD their God, and will not save them by bow, nor by sword, nor by battle, by HORSES, nor by HORSEMEN.” Hosea 1:7
Wow!
Furthermore, Egypt is mentioned in our Text verse because that (wicked) nation was the key source for horses in Moses’ time. Remember? “But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to EGYPT, to the end that he should multiply horses.”
Stay away … from that ungodly land, really land of many-gods and goddesses!
A Verse on “separation!”
And though today God certainly does not forbid you owning a horse … HE DOES TAKE OFFENSE WHEN YOU FOLLOW ANOTHER SOURCE OF STRENGTH AND PROTECTION!
Micah 3:8 is a good ending thought. “But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the LORD.”
God, my Fortress!
Not a squadron of F-16 fighters or B-1 bombers!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
God is your Protector, too, dear Christian friend! He is your Safety! Not your bank account! Not your secure job! Not your ____________ whatever else! Only the Lord God Almighty!