This includes the warrior who cannot save his life, and the archer who will not endure.
When I aided you and led you from Egypt, vanquishing the Amorites before you to give you their land, I appointed prophets from among your sons and set apart Nazoreans from your youth. Yet, you gave wine to my Nazoreans and commanded the prophets not to prophesy. Therefore, just as a cart loaded with straw creaks over a vast expanse, I, burdened by your sins, will proclaim that there is no strength to escape. The “quick one” referenced here is Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, who once fled to Egypt. Not only princes but their families shall be affected. The “strong” refers to Baasha, known for his warfare, while “he who cannot save his life” signifies Omri. It is believed that the archer signifies Jehu, the son of Nimshi, who struck down Joram, king of Israel with an arrow. The swift-footed reference pertains to Menahem, who hastened in vain to send gifts to the king of Assyria. Moreover, the horseman represents Tiglath-Pileser, who joined with Syria to ravage much of Judah during King Ahaz’s reign.
Yet on that day, the steadfast in spirit among the brave shall flee. Hosea, the final king of the ten tribes who sought to guide the errant people back to the service of God, will attempt to flee but will be stripped of his protection, symbolizing the captivity of the ten tribes. According to Jewish tradition, this understanding has been passed down accurately.
Let us reflect further: The Lord warns that a cart loaded with hay or straw will roll beneath them, so that their burnt straw symbolizes their lack of spiritual substance. Such hay is described by the prophet as being withered before harvest, and every mortal flesh is compared to hay. The straw signifies that which the prophet mourns over when lamenting the lost harvest and referencing the plight of the righteous.
As the Apostle speaks of “wood, hay, straw,” all works will be disclosed on the day of the Lord through the fire. The revelation of the trampled Moabites calls to mind the imagery of Isaiah, indicating that resistance will crumble like chariots under pressure. In this way, the nimble will find no way to escape, akin to Paul's assertion that not all who run will receive the prize, but only those who strive lawfully.
In the face of sin, there is power in the mercy of God, which stands opposed to reliance on one's own strength. As it is written, “I will bring to nothing the wisdom of the wise.” Those who depend solely on their human understanding will falter. The warrior who cannot save himself may possess armor but not the full protective gear of faith. Such a warrior is unfit for the sacred conflict and lacks the capability to fight for the truth in the name of God.
Moreover, the heretics, drawing their bows, are unable to withstand the will of the Lord. The quick-footed, who navigate through deceit to evade scriptural truth, will fall in confusion, relying not on God’s strength but on their own abilities. Similarly, those who trust in horses for salvation misinterpret the covenant of God. They will not prevail but will perish while proclaiming that “some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.”
In the end, those steadfast in spirit, though they may flee, do so without the burden of sin or lack of divine garment. There are two facets to this: the readiness to flee, unhindered by sin, or the vulnerability of being uncovered due to the loss of Christ’s garment. For without the armor of God, on the day of trial, they will find themselves powerless to combat the foe and will flee from the fray.
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This paraphrase captures the essence of the original passage while employing unique phrasing and structure.
THEOSIS