Definition: But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Deuteronomy 17:16. It's a pretty important and somewhat complex passage about God’s relationship with His people and their future. Here’s a simplified explanation: The Basic Idea: God is saying, “Don’t try to build a huge army of horses yourself. Don’t cause the Israelites to go back to Egypt like they did before.” Let's unpack it piece by piece: “But he shall not multiply horses…” - This means God isn’t giving anyone the right to create or own horses. He's saying that this idea shouldn’t be allowed to happen again. “…nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses:” – This is the key part. The Israelites were in a really difficult situation. They had been enslaved by Egyptians and were desperately trying to escape back to their own land. God wants to prevent them from creating a massive army of horses just for their own convenience. He’s saying it's not a good plan for them. The “to the end” part is important - he’s setting this up as a warning and a constraint. “Forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you…” – This is a crucial part of the verse. It's like a summary of what God is telling us. He’s saying, “I have instructed you.” It’s a reminder that God has given specific instructions and rules for his people. “…Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.” – This is the core message. God is establishing a rule: never again should the Israelites build up a large army of horses. It's a prohibition on creating or expanding this capability. In simpler terms: God is warning against taking advantage of his people’s situation and building up a massive military force. He wants to protect the Israelites from being controlled by other nations, and he’s setting a boundary to prevent that happening again. Why is this important? This verse speaks to themes of: Divine Sovereignty: God has complete control over his people. Protection: He's protecting Israel from potential threats. Responsibility: The Israelites are responsible for their own destiny and must follow His instructions. Does this mean we should be worried about not building a large army? Not necessarily in the way it sounds. It’s more about avoiding taking actions that could put the Israelites at risk or lead to further hardship. It's about maintaining a balance and honoring God’s guidance. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these points in more detail? Give you another Bible verse with a similar theme?