Rourke’s Drift
After the 1879 massacre of almost 1,500 British soldiers in Natal, South Africa, the force of some 4,000+ Zulus attacked a mission in an area known as Rourke’s Drift. At that time there was a small contingent of just 150 Royal Engineers on an assignment in the area who were encamped at the Mission.
The Mission lay in the Drift which was surrounded by high hills and mountains. The actual layout was of a walled square which also served as a farmyard with small buildings around the perimeter. The Zulus made good use of the heights and set sharpshooters, with rifles they had gained from their prior engagement with the British soldiers, to snipe at the soldiers defending the walls, attempting to make them keep their heads down. But the British continued to fight, sheltering themselves behind bags of earth and even farm trailers and carts.
As the fierce Zulu warriors descended upon the tiny mission, the British soldiers, who were not seasoned infantry soldiers, defended it with such bravery and fierce tenacity that, after suffering huge losses at the hands of these engineers, the Zulus ceased their attack and retired from the battle. But, before they left, they stopped and turned back towards the British soldiers to salute them, in high esteem, as great warriors. Warriors who stood their ground even in great adversity.
There were many individual acts of unselfish bravery which resulted in the award of some 11 Victoria Crosses. The highest award for bravery that can be given to the British military.
Although the action at Rourke’s Drift is an amazing story in itself, there are some things that happened there from which we, as Christians, can learn. But, in order that we can benefit from the battle at Rourke’s Drift it is necessary to enlighten you with a few facts.
Written some 2,400 years ago in his book best known by the title “Art of War”, Sun Tzu wrote “All warfare is based on deception.” In the example of the battle at Rourke’s Drift, the Zulus tried to employ this very same tactic of deception, but by knowing and understanding their tactics, the British soldiers were able to defeat their enemy.
One of the local people knew about the Zulus tactical formation called the “Buffalo Horn”. This tactic is based upon the shape of the horns of the water buffalo, and how it uses them to defeat and, even kill its 
enemy. When you look at the picture here you will see the actual shape of the horns themselves. Note that the thickness at the centre of the horns, where they are formed at the forehead of the skull, is greater than the rest of the horns. It is with this part that the water buffalo butts its adversary, attempting to knock it to the ground. Once the adversary is down it becomes vulnerable to the curved ends of the horns which the buffalo uses in a scything motion, trying to impale its foe – called “goring”.
The buffalo’s attack is initially a full frontal attack against its enemy to weaken him and to get him to try and defend itself by standing against that attack. Unless the buffalo’s enemy is another buffalo of equal strength, it is very likely to get knocked down and so become vulnerable to the incapacitating, or even killer stroke from the horn tips. If one takes the time to watch a fight between two buffaloes, or similar animals such as cow bulls, the frontal attack always comes first but each will try and twist its head to engage the horn tips – which is where the damaging or fatal blows come from.
At Rourke’s Drift, the Zulus indeed tried to employ this very tactic. But, because it was known to the British soldiers, they were able to defend against it. The frontal attack down the valley, the drift, was met head-on at the front wall. But, the other walls were also garrisoned. Ready to defend against attack from the sides. They were not ignorant of their enemy’s devices and so, were able to not only defend against this but became victorious by their knowledge of the enemy and his devices, his ways. In its own beautiful way, the Bible itself tells us the same thing….
(2nd Corinthians 2:11) Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
Again, in other words, know your enemy and his ways!
The second lesson we can take from this historical event is also very well portrayed in God’s Word……
(1st Peter 5:8) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
We know that Satan is our enemy, our adversary. We know that he is constantly looking for ways to defeat us.…and one of his tactics is to seek out a weakness and attack at that point. This was why the British put together the mobile force which was able to defend any area of weakness, shutting down the attack on that position. They were already aware of this tactic and had already prepared to combat it.
(John 10:10) The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:
But Jesus goes on to tell us, in the second half of that same Scripture….
I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Do what Jesus (the Word) tells you to do!
Part of His ministry to His children was, and is, to teach them how to fight and defend against their enemy, Satan. The Word of God, the Sword itself, is the very weapon that Jesus used to defeat Satan in the wilderness. But in using the Word as the source of it, there is another way of using this weapon that can be used to defeat our enemy, and that is….
(James 5:16) Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Prayer!
Fervent means to be focused, strong, and dedicated to doing something. In many parts of the Bible fervent, or fervently, is applied to love. Love for one another – which includes going to another’s aid in a time, or times of, oppression, danger, or simply of need.
The second tactic used by the British at Rourke’s Drift was that of using this mobile force. It was made up of two ranks of riflemen that were sent to the place within the defended farmyard where the enemy was trying to penetrate. The places where they were attempting to use the “points” of the water buffalo horns, the “goring tactic”. Part of this defensive formation, this mobile force operation, was necessary because the rifles the British were using were single-shot weapons. To become effective, not only as a defensive force but also as an offensive force, the ranks needed to be virtually continuously firing, which is difficult to do with a single-shot weapon. So the two ranks were formed. The rear rank would be standing and would fire their guns whilst the front rank would be knelt down reloading their weapons. Once the rear rank had fired their weapons they would step in front of the kneeling rank and would kneel themselves. The previously kneeling rank would now stand, and fire their weapons. This would be repeated until the resistance subsided. The mobile force would then wait to be deployed to a different part of the farmyard. To wherever the enemy focused its attack. In essence, the mobile force was sent and went, to where it was most needed. Speeding to, and quickly dealing with the attack of the enemy wherever it was taking place at that time. Being vigilant.
The lesson we can take from this mobile force operation is the coming together, and praying for one another, because the Lord promises that the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much! The continuous firing that we undertake is the continuous “firing” of prayer, based upon the Word, and the Promises of God. He promises us that if we resist the devil he must flee. (James 4:7).
The entire lesson that we can take from the Rourke’s Drift encounter is that success against our enemies will always be easier when we are not ignorant of his devices. When we have faith in the weapons and the armour of God that He has provided for our warfare against Satan and learn how to effectively use them. Plus, the use of continued personal and, collective, fervent prayer and personal study of the Word. The mobile force of Rourke’s Drift was one of interceding, fighting for, and fighting with, one’s brothers and sisters.
This is a perfect example of Intercession.
The Art of Intercession:
“The Art of Intercession is the stirring up of yourself to take hold, with the Holy Spirit, to cause eternal changes in the lives of others.”
Amen.
In Final Conclusion
We should also note that the British soldiers were in a defensive position and, as we all know, when a force is “dug-in” it is much more difficult to overcome it. The British stood their ground standing within the boundary of the walls of the farm. They did not climb over the walls to follow the enemy as they retreated back from an attack. They stood firm. A beautiful Scripture that explains our role in such attacks from our enemy, Satan, is from Ephesians 6:11 and 13
11. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
13. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand! Stand on His Word and His promises! Faith!
The Advantage Of Foreknowledge:
If you go back and review the story of the victory at Rourke’s Drift, it can be seen that much of that victory was due to the fact that the British troops had foreknowledge of the Zulu’s tactics. The Buffalo horn. It was a soldier from the Afrikaans who, having had previous experience in warfare with the Zulus, enlightened the British officers of this tactic that they would very likely employ. This allowed the British to prepare a defensive position and to allow for the tactic of the Buffalo horn formation.
When we acknowledge the value of foreknowledge, we should realize that, because we, as Christians, are also at war on a daily basis, we could benefit from foreknowledge of what is to come. Well, the good news is that the information is always available to us if we bother to consult our source of foreknowledge. It, He, is in fact, the Holy Spirit himself.
In John 16:13 Jesus promises to send the Holy Spirit to us and that He will show us all truth and things to come.
(John 16:13) Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
This is a part of the ministry of the Holy Spirit. He is also called the Comforter. This means that He brings us peace, and peace comes when we are victorious.
You have been given the Holy Spirit, and the most respectful, and honourable thing to do is to ask Him for help and guidance in any and every given situation. If you want to know how to overcome a situation of yours, ask Him
___________________________________________
Additional Teachings:
Prevention, Cure & Maintenance