Pharaoh on a Mare and the Holy One on a Cherub

"The Egyptians pursued, and there came after them all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh" (Exodus 14). This is what is said in the verse, "To a mare among Pharaoh's chariots I have likened you, my beloved" (Song of Songs 1:9). Rabbi Meir says: because wicked Pharaoh went out riding a female horse, therefore the Holy One, blessed be He, revealed Himself upon him on the throne of glory in the likeness of a female horse. And how do we know that wicked Pharaoh went out on a female horse? Rather, thus he said to his troops: which of all the beasts is swift, so that I may mount and ride upon it and pursue after Israel? His troops said to him: there is no beast swifter than that female horse of yours, which is all of many colors, the like of which never existed; therefore the male horses see her and run after her. He arose and rode upon her and went down into the sea, as it is said, "all the horses of Pharaoh, his chariots and his horsemen, into the midst of the sea" (Exodus 15). And just as wicked Pharaoh said to his troops, "which of all the beasts is swift," so did the King of the kings of kings, blessed be He, say to the ministering angels: which of all the creatures that serve before Me is swift? They said before Him: Master of the universe, all is Yours and all is the work of Your hands; it is revealed and known before You that among all the creatures none is swifter than the wind that goes out from beneath the throne of glory. Therefore He rode upon a cherub, as it is said, "He rode upon a cherub and flew; [He soared on the wings of the wind]" (Psalms 18:11).