Section 466
III. It may be inquired, why this comparison is made and mentioned
Here which was, 1. To comfort and support her under the mean apprehensions she had of herself, and also to strengthen her against the reproach and scandal that was thrown upon her by others; therefore Christ lets her know, that tho' she was black in her own eyes, and slighted and despised by her mother's children, yet she was glorious in his, for he had compared her to a "company of horses," etc. 2. To inform her, that she was in a militant state, and that she must not expect much ease and rest, which she seemed to be seeking for in verse 7, and therefore he would have her know, that this was a time for fighting the Lord's battles against sin, Satan, and the world; and for that purpose he had "made her as his goodly horse in the battle," (Zechariah 10:3). 3. Christ having directed her to tread in the "footsteps of the flock," and to feed her kids beside the shepherds" tents, would have her consider, that she must expect trouble, persecution, and opposition from those other shepherds, whose flocks are mentioned as distinct from Christ's, in verse 7. and therefore to support her under, and comfort her against these, he tells her, that he had "compared her, or made her like to a company of horses," stout, strong, courageous, warlike, and victorious; and therefore, seeing he had "not given her the Spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind," she should not be discouraged and dismayed at these troubles and afflictions that came upon her.