a good way to train a young ox is to yoke them with an ox who already knows what he is doing.
the established ox does the real work, bearing the load, while the young one simply learns to walk straight alongside him, to recognize instruction, and to become accustomed to the harness.
you can train new oxen without any experienced, stronger ox, but it takes much longer to produce good results - because they have no one to learn from in that case but their human master, a different creature with a different language and manner. creatures understand those of their own kind better than those of other kinds.
in either case it requires patience, mercy and kindness to do well
That is a very good and true analogy. I used to work and train work horses years ago and It works the same way.
But something else to consider. If you harness a young learning horse, to an older, mean, lazy horse which doesn't listen and follow commands, something that is essential in the works these horses do, then that young horse will also learn to be mean, lazy and disobedient.
Paul spoke of this very same thing regarding a "yoke".
2 Cor. 6:
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in
them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them
, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and
touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
I think this is why Jesus said to
take "HIS" Yoke upon us, and no other.