Be ye not as the horse, [or] as the mule, [which] have
no
understanding
The design of this exhortation is to direct men how to behave
under the instructions given; not as brutes, which have no
rational faculties, but as men; that they should not show
themselves thoughtless, stupid, and unteachable, as these
animals, or worse than they; nor stubborn and obstinate,
refractory and untractable, resolving not to be taught, stopping
the ear, and pulling away the shoulder; nor ill natured and
mischievous; not only hating instruction, casting away the law of
the Lord, but kicking and spurning at, and persecuting such who
undertake to instruct them; as these creatures sometimes attempt
to throw their riders, and, when down, kick at them;
whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they
come near
unto thee;
to do mischief, bite or kick; or "because they do not come near
to thee" F20; and that they may come near, and
be brought into subjection, and become obedient; therefore such
methods are used; see ( James 3:3 ) ; there is in
the words a tacit intimation, that men are commonly, and for the
most part, like these creatures, stupid, stubborn, and
mischievous; and therefore severe methods are used by the Lord,
sore chastenings, to humble and instruct them; see ( Jeremiah
31:18 Jeremiah
31:19 ) ; the mule, more especially, is remarkable for its
stupidity F21; and though the horse is docile,
yet he is sometimes stubborn and refractory.