Why did God sometimes order the Israelites to hamstring horses?
God gave the Israelites very specific instructions at times regarding dealing with their enemies and their possessions, including instructions to hamstring (cut the leg tendons of) enemy horses (Joshua 11:6, 2 Samuel 8:4). A look at the context helps explain God’s reasoning.
First, God commanded that the Israelites destroy idols and false gods of the pagan nations they were conquering (Exodus 23:24). The horses and chariots of Israel’s enemies were often dedicated to false gods and were used in idol worship. So by hamstringing the horses, the Israelites were obeying God’s command to destroy all vestiges of idolatry.
Second, God did not want the Israelites to start trusting in military might rather than trusting in Him (Psalm 20:7). If they began accumulating the powerful horses and chariots of their enemies, they may be tempted to rely on military strength rather than on God. By hamstringing the horses, they grew dependent on God rather than military assets.
Third, the Israelites were forbidden from intermarrying with these pagan nations (Deuteronomy 7:3-4). Allowing the Israelites to take the enemy horses could have led to mingling with the foreigners. So hamstringing the horses limited interactions with their enemies.
Fourth, the Israelites were not an empire-building people. Their mission was unique in conquering the Promised Land specifically given to them by God. Had they built an army of captured horses and chariots, they may have been more inclined to continue conquering lands beyond what God had specified.
Fifth, God promised that obedience would bring blessing and strength, while disobedience would lead to curses and defeat (Deuteronomy 28). If the Israelites began disobeying and engaging in idolatry, building up military might could embolden them in their rebellion. In seeing the futility of fighting without God’s help, they would more quickly repent and return to Him.
Sixth, the Israelites were to fully trust God to care for their needs rather than looking to military assets (Deuteronomy 20:1). Just as they had relied on Him in their exodus from Egypt, they needed to keep relying on Him, not armed forces, for provision and protection.
Seventh, the Israelites were to remain set apart from the pagan nations as God’s holy people (Leviticus 20:24-26). Intermingling with their enemies via their horses could have led to compromise and spiritual decline. Hamstringing horses maintained separation.
Eighth, amassing the enemies’ horses may have resulted in prideful boasting in Israel’s own strength (Deuteronomy 8:11-17). As a fledgling nation, overconfidence was a real danger that hamstringing horses helped mitigate.
Ninth, horses and chariots were expensive to maintain in feeding, housing, training, repairing, etc. Being newly settled in the land, the Israelites had limited resources, so capturing horses would have strained their assets and workforce.
Tenth, horses were mainly useful for pulling chariots, not for agricultural work common in Israel. Donkeys and oxen were preferred for farming, so horses offered limited practical value. Their maintenance could be burdensome.
Eleventh, horses were associated with elite chariot groups, not the common soldier (Exodus 14:6-7). Given Israel’s egalitarian tribal society, using horses could have led to elevating a wealthy upper class reliant on horses, eroding national unity.
Twelfth, the Israelites were prohibited from multiplying horses so they would not one day return to Egypt (Deuteronomy 17:16), where horses were plentiful. Since they had just left Egypt, capturing horses could appear to be returning there.
Thirteenth, God promised to give Israel victory over their enemies miraculously, rather than through conventional military might (Joshua 23:3,10). Amassing horses and chariots could be construed as failing to trust in divine help.
Fourteenth, God was concerned with motives and attitudes, not just outward actions. Even if allowed horses, the Israelites may have misused them or grown prideful, corrupt, and enamored with power. For their spiritual good, God prohibited horses.
Fifteenth, God is all-knowing. He foresaw that horses could lead to idolatry and disobedience in the future. So as a preventative measure, He forbid horses to spiritually protect the Israelites from potential deeper rebellion.
In summary, God understood the Israelites’ spiritual condition and vulnerabilities, the horses’ symbolic association with idolatry, the logistical difficulties of caring for them, and the dangers posed in diverting Israel’s reliance and affections from God to military assets. His reasons showed wisdom, foresight and close shepherding of His people.
While God did forbid Israel accumulating horses, this prohibition was not permanent. Solomon later amassed horses through trade and received no condemnation (1 Kings 4:26). By that time, Israel was more established as a nation and could possess horses without spiritually compromising their identity and purpose.
God knows best how to grow His children. The instructions He gives are not arbitrary but flow from His perfect understanding of human nature and what nurtures our faith versus what undermines it. His commands aim to shape His people’s trust and obedience on an inward heart level, not just outward conformity.
As with hamstringing horses, many examples throughout Scripture provide spiritual instruction on loving God wholeheartedly and relying fully on Him. Though not required today, they illustrate God’s loving desire for His people’s purity and close walk with Him. Through unusual biblical commands, we see God’s patience in teaching spiritual infants, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).