“The battle is not yours, but God’s.” — 2 Chronicles 20:15
Have you ever been stung by a hornet?
If you have, you know how painful and terrifying it can be. The sting burns, lingers, and demands your full attention. Now, imagine an entire swarm unleashed against an enemy. In the Bible, God used hornets as an unexpected but effective tool to drive out Israel’s enemies—demonstrating His power to fight battles in ways beyond human understanding.
God’s Unconventional Warfare
Throughout Israel’s journey to the Promised Land, God employed miraculous strategies to ensure their victory. Some of the most well-known include:
- The parting of the Red Sea – Allowing Israel to escape their enemies (Exodus 14:21-22).
- The collapse of Jericho’s walls – A supernatural victory through obedience and faith (Joshua 6).
- Confusion in battle – When Gideon’s 300 men blew their trumpets and smashed their jars, the Midianite army turned on itself (Judges 7).
- The sun standing still – Giving Israel extra daylight to complete their victory (Joshua 10:12-14).
Yet, a lesser-known but equally powerful intervention was God’s use of “the hornet”.
The imagery of the hornet in the Bible represents terror, panic, and painful defeat that God sent upon Israel’s enemies. Just as a swarm of hornets causes confusion and unbearable pain, God struck fear into the hearts of Israel’s adversaries, weakening them before battle even began (see Exodus 23:28, Deuteronomy 7:20). This means that before the Israelites lifted a single weapon, God had already cleared the way.
The Hornets of God’s Deliverance
Although Scripture does not provide a detailed story of hornets attacking Israel’s enemies, God declared three times that He sent “the hornet” ahead of His people:
- Exodus 23:28 (NIV) – “I will send the hornet ahead of you to drive the Hivites, Canaanites, and Hittites out of your way.”
- Deuteronomy 7:20 (NIV) – “Moreover, the Lord your God will send the hornet among them until even the survivors who hide from you have perished.”
- Joshua 24:12 (NIV) – “I sent the hornet ahead of you, which drove them out before you—also the two Amorite kings. You did not do it with your own sword and bow.”
The imagery of hornets is powerful. These small but fierce creatures can scatter armies, instill fear, and disrupt even the strongest defenses. Victory was secured without Israel even witnessing the battle. As John Piper insightfully reminds us:
“God sent hornets ahead of Israel, reminding us that sometimes deliverance comes in the form of discomforting our enemies rather than confronting them ourselves.”
A Call to Trust
Are you facing a battle that seems beyond your strength? Perhaps you’re dealing with an overwhelming situation at work, a strained relationship, or an uncertain future.
Remember, God can send His “hornets” ahead of you—disrupting the enemy’s plans, opening doors you never expected, and making a way where there seems to be none.
We may not always see God’s hand at work, but that doesn’t mean He isn’t moving. Your victory will not come by your “own sword and bow” but by His sovereign hand.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for fighting my battles in ways I do not always see. Help me to trust in Your power, even when deliverance comes in unexpected forms. Strengthen my faith, and remind me that victory belongs to You. Amen.
