Egyptian Horses - Saturday August 30, 2014
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
The Israelites are in trouble! They are being threatened by the Assyrians and their mighty army that could crush the Israelites. But instead of turning to God, the Israelites look south. They turn to Egypt for help. Now the Egyptians had a large army of horses, chariots, and horsemen that could defend Israel from the Assyrians. But God has something to say about this. Basically, "Woe to those who trust in Egyptian horses instead of Me!" The Israelites aren't even asking God for help! How horrible that they would turn away from God and look to pagan Egyptians for help. The following verses state that disaster awaits those who trust in human strength rather than God.
But how often in our own lives do we turn to "Egyptian horses" instead of looking to the Lord? Financial hardships, parenting problems, marital difficulties, unemployment, or relationship problems-we are so quick to call a friend to get their thoughts. Or we go to a website to buy the latest book on our problem. Or we redouble our efforts, working twice as hard to solve our predicament. Or we find an "expert" and go to their seminar to solve our dilemma.
The "Holy One of Israel" has spoken to us most clearly through His word. Do we start there? And do we pray first? I added Jesus to my cellphone's favorites to remind myself to pray to God first. May we be Christians who consult with God first!
Submitted by:
Josh Whitney
The Rock Church
Salt Lake City, Utah
One-Year Reading Plan:
Job 34:1-36:33
2 Corinthians 4:1-12
Psalms 44:1-8
Proverbs 22:10-12
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