Job 39:19 Commentary - Dr Peter Masters

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Job 39:19

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It is the warhorse that is in mind here. Horses can be very nervy and dislike loud noises and sudden movements, but this horse knows no fear and rushes into battle. It wants to go and must be held back; it is so bold and excitable. This kind of horse is very unusual. Job, you can’t train a horse to do this; such warhorses are bred. Of course you do train them, but the right stock must be found – the trainer won’t be happy with the wrong horse; he cannot train it to be fearless. This is the first domesticated animal mentioned in this list. It originally came from ‘the steppes of central Asia. From ca. 2000 BC it was imported to Mesopotamia and Egypt’ (Hartley). It was valued as a vital piece of military equipment for its speed and for being ready to plunge in battle seemingly fearless of what lay ahead, giving armies the immense advantage of speed and mobility. The warhorse possesses immense natural strength evident in its contours: in its beautifully arched neck, and in the ripple of its muscles as it lunges gracefully and powerfully forward. It not only has tremendous power and swiftness, but is fearless in situations where other creatures would flee and hide. The warhorse can be trained to run straight into the thickest part of the battle and crash into the enemy even though in doing so it sustains terrible injuries. It does not run away in terror, but instead strikes terror into the opposing armies with its wild snorting, as it rushes on oblivious to harm. It is a creature that seems to rejoice in its strength and paws at the ground in its eagerness to rush forward. It charges towards the opposing army carrying its rider into the fray. No matter what weapons are arrayed against it, it still crashes fearlessly into the enemy’s ranks, and faces whatever consequences await it with disdain. There is nothing hesitant about it as it goes towards the enemy, but it covers the distance eagerly as if it cannot wait to engage. There is no sign that it wants the battle to cease or is anxiously awaiting the trumpet to sound the retreat, but like a bloodthirsty man it hurries on not wishing to miss any of the action. War is its element and the accompanying signs of war seem to thrill its being. It is indifferent to what will happen in the battle, and therefore it made a perfect instrument of war in ancient times.

Application

Such is the noble animal that God sets before Job. But what is the lesson for Job, and why does God draw attention to the horse’s attributes? Certainly Job is taught the limitation of his powers when God can create such marvellous animals, but the lesson goes beyond this. These are qualities that Job is lacking, for he too faces a battle and where is his resilience and courage in facing his enemies? The believer does not do battle with the devil on his own, but has all the resources of God to aid him, and therefore he need not despair however hot the fight. Our battle is the Lord’s battle, and our victory is already assured. We are not like natural animals responding with blind instincts but we are intelligent beings, able to apply reason to our situation and especially to approach our problems with faith. Job should emulate these capacities of the warhorse so that he is not dismayed by the enemies that confront and surround him, but goes fearlessly to the battle and breaks through to victory by faith.

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Job 39:19 Commentary and Bible Study