The Horse from the Book of Job

Even as an atheist, the Bible can still provide a good read. The Biblical figure I have admired most of my life (even before my pre-atheist days) has been the horse from the Book of Job. Don't know which horse I'm talking about? He's featured in this passage from the King James Version of Job 39:19 - 34:

"Hast thou given the horse strength? hast thou clothed his neck with thunder? . . . the glory of his nostrils is terrible. He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength: he goeth on to meet the armed men. He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted; neither turneth he back from the sword . . . He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage".

Childish Fancies

As a very small child hearing the Book of Job for the first time, and every time since then, I have been blown away by the beauty and the power of this Horse of Horses. When I first heard it, I somehow came to the conclusion that this passage was about one particular horse instead of just horses in general. And I really wanted to meet that horse.

I still want to meet that horse. I haven't yet, although there have been many that have come close to evoking the primal awe that this passage sparked in my imagination.

Other Influences

Apparently, I wasn't the only one to be moved by Job's horse. This passage is mentioned in Peter Shaffer's 1973 play, "Equus". (Equus is the Latin name for the genus of the horse family). In the play, a young boy worships horses as his gods. They are manifestations of the great Equus. When this boy is under psychoanalysis, it is discovered that his mother is an avid Christian and taught him the Job passage. The boy then used it as a piece in his personal mythology, blending Christianity and horse worship.

In acclaimed photographer Robert Vavra's 1977 book, "Equus: The Creation of a Horse", Vavra paired the Job passage with an impressive photo of an eye-rolling dapple gray Andalusian stallion. That's about the closest image that has cone to equal the majesty and power of the Job passage.

Human Biblical Characters

I was never too impressed with the people in the Bible. They were always doing exceptional things in between begatting and being smitten. They seemed flat, rigid cardboard cut-outs instead of vivid characters that I desperately wanted to meet. I wouldn't go to any lengths to meet any Biblical character if they should return to Earth, even Jesus.

The horse from Job was the only character that I could truly believe in. If there's ever a species that needs salvation, it's Equus caballus. The horse from the Book of Job and may one day return to liberate his kind and drive them to a horsy heaven.

I still hope to meet this equine Messiah and witness his neck clothed with thunder before he drives his horse nation away.