Beating our Dead Horses

Evangelist Jack Coe 1918-1957

We’ve all heard the old saying “Beating a dead horse” which means to has and rehash a subject or issue. Have you ever thought about where the saying came from?

BEAT (OR FLOG) A DEAD HORSE - "Though he supported the measure, British politician and orator John Bright thought the Reform Bill of 1867, which called for more democratic representation, would never be passed by Parliament. Trying to rouse Parliament from its apathy on the issue, he said in a speech, would be like trying to 'flog a dead horse' to make it pull a load. This is the first recorded use of the expression, which is still common for 'trying to revive interest in an apparently hopeless issue.'." From the "Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins" by Robert Hendrickson (Fact on File, New York, 1997) -http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/5/messages/287.html

Actually, there is Biblical precedence for beating an animal. A mule. And its wasn’t dead, but it probably would have been if the wayward prophet Balaam had his way. We’re all familiar with the story, but, well, maybe not in this particular light. The story is found in Numbers 22. Balaam, whose motive was financial gain, was on his way to prophesy against Israel. Along the way, while riding his mule, Balaam encountered an Angel of God, though, due to his spiritual blindness, he was not aware of the Angel’s Presence. But the mule saw Him. And refused to proceed, but turned into a field. The angry prophet beat the mule to get it to travel in the right direction. It happened again that the mule saw the Angel and could have turned one way to enter a vineyard or into a wall. He turned into the wall and crushed the prophets leg and Balaam “…smote her again”. The mule moved cautiously forward, entering a narrow place where there was nowhere else to turn. So, to avoid the Angel, the mule laid down which sent Balaam into a rage. He beat the mule mercilessly until, miracle of miracles, the mule spoke to him and then, and only then was Balaams eyes opened allowing him to see the Angel which blocked his way.
When we “beat a dead horse” we are discussing an issue to no end. We discuss it, we debate it, and, all too often, we argue about it. Many times, a person becomes so passionate about his position he finds himself out “in left field” all alone. His position takes center field… it becomes a, obsession.

Then, the arguing commences. One could turn into a vineyard where the discussion is productive and enlightening. But, more often than not, the discussion goes the other way and one finds himself being crushed against the wall of division. Walls are obstacles to fellowship. Walls separate us from one another, and when we become heated over a subject, we lose all forward progression and are crushed against the walls that undermine our fellowship.

If we insist “we are right and we everyone else is wrong”, our fellowship with each other, and, subsequently, with the Lord, collapses under our own weight. We become victims of our own obstinacies. We become modern day Balaams, stubbornly determined to do what we are bent on doing, stubbornly “…contend[ing] for [our] different views to the disunity of the body”. We lose our way, we lose our fellowship with our brethren when we are blinded by fact that the Word of God stands in our way reminding us to “speak the truth in love” and that our love for one another far outweighs the knowledge we think we possess. 1Cr 13:2 And though I have [the gift of] prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

Two more points:
Num 22:21 And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab.
As we “beat our dead horses” we must bear in mind the world in watching. Jhn 13:35 By this shall all [men] know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. Mat 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Beating dead horses may feel good, but in so doing, we cannot proceed further. If we find ourselves debating issues that were being debated in the Bible, then can we honestly say we are moving forward? If issues that divided the early church, like water baptism, are still dividing us can we say we have gone “on to perfection”? Hbr 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
Shall we continue “beating our dead horses” or shall we obey the Voice of Gods Word that speaks to us: “Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace“.