I put no trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory … - Psalm 44:6

Today’s Scripture Reading (May 19, 2016): Psalm 44

Bows and arrows have reigned as the most powerful weapon in war for much of our known history on the planet. The archer was a key ingredient to any military endeavor. Historically, it is very likely that the Egyptians had mastered the practice of the bow and arrow well before the time of Moses. Which means that Israel knew of the existence of the bow and arrow long before Israel became a country. But Israel did not seem to master the concept of the bow and arrow until about the time of King Saul. It appears that it was under the leadership of Israel’s first king that the nation began to use the bow and arrow as a method of defense. But Israel also seems to have quickly mastered the art and they became renowned for their ability with the bow. And because of their prowess with the bow, Israel was feared.

For centuries, the bow has reigned in war. It was versatile, lightweight, it could be fired rapidly and, in the hands of the right person, it was very deadly. Archers could be placed at various positions around the battlefield and rain down arrows on the approaching army, killing and maiming, or at least forcing the army to stop and protect themselves with their shields which allowed the swordsman of the opposing army to get into position to finish the battle hand to hand. Eventually, firearms displaced the bow and arrow, but even that took time. Early firearms were not as accurate nor could they be fired as quickly as a bow and arrow. Barnabe Rich wrote in the late 16^th century that an English longbowman should be able to shoot eight arrows in the time that it took a ready shooter to get five shots off with the musket. But the days of the supremacy of archery were beginning to fall into the past.

But at the time of this Psalm, there was no weapon that trumped the bow and arrow. And not only was the weapon prevalent in the culture, it was also made even more deadly by the proficiency of the Israelite archer. To say that the soldier of Israel will put no confidence in his bow would be the equivalent of declaring that the United States should put no confidence in their smart weapons or drone attacks. Israel had worked long and hard on their bowman so that they could put their confidence in them.

But the Psalmist is reaching for something else. The Psalmists words were not a comment about the lack of expertise of the archers, it was that God had to remain in control of the outcome of the country. Israel would learn that, no matter how strong the army, if God was not leading it, the reality was that it was doomed to fail.

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Psalm 84