Now gather thyself in troops, O daughter of troops
The Church of God
I. As militant in its character. Jerusalem is addressed as “daughter of troops.” As Jerusalem was a military city containing a great body of soldiers within her walls, so is the Church on earth, it is military. The life of all true men here is that of a battle; all are soldiers, bound to be valiant for the truth. They are commanded to fight the good fight, to war the good warfare. The warfare is spiritual, righteous, indispensable, personal. No one can fight the battle by proxy. Look at the Church--
II. As perilous in its position. “He hath laid siege against us.” The dangerous condition of Jerusalem when the Chaldean army surrounded its walls in order to force an entrance, is only a faint shadow of the perilous position of the Church of God. It is besieged by mighty hosts of errors and evil passions, and mighty lusts that “war against the soul.” The siege is planned with strategic skill, and with malignant determination.
III. As resulted by its enemies. “They shall smite the Judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek.” Were the enemies of Christianity ever more insolent than in this age?
IV. As summoned to action. “Now gather thyself in troops.” The men of Jerusalem are here commanded by heaven to marshal their troops and to prepare for battle, since the enemies are outside their walls. Far more urgent is the duty of the Church to collect, arrange, and concentrate all its forces against the mighty hosts that encompass it. (Homilist.)