SUNDAY: Bible Study - 9:00 AM | Worship - 10:00 AM | PM Worship - 6:00 PM WEDNESDAY: Bible Class - 7:00 PM ~ 8110 Signal Hill Road Manassas, Virginia | Office Phone: 703.368.2622

yoke

            The prophets of the Old Testament were not limited to just reciting God’s word, or verbally admonishing and warning peoplesand nations around them. They used a variety of deliveries:  visions, allegories, apocalyptic images, poems, and symbolic actions.  Symbolic actions were sort of like Gods words in 3D, acted out by the prophets in various places and with various props.  In one of those venues, Jeremiah puts a yoke across his shoulders to show the people of Jerusalem that bondage would soon follow as a result of their sins.

            In Jeremiah chapter 27, God instructs the prophet to put a yoke on his neck to show how Judah will be under the yoke of their captor, the King of Babylon.  A yoke is a heavy wooden device that physically bound two oxen (and other animals) together so that they could work together as a team and maximize their efforts and their strength.  They were bound at the weakest point, the neck, which made for easy steering and control. One animal couldn’t go anywhere without the other and together, even though I’m sure they would rather be wondering about on their own without a block of wood on their necks, their work provided fruitful efforts as they submitted to the farmer’s tool.

            Depending on what version you use, the term “yoke” is used 50 times in the Old Testament, and 7 times in the New Testament.   In every case it is used as a symbol of submission, and being bound together in some sense.  In Jeremiah 27, the prophet has warned that the yoke they had with God had been broken, and now the yoke they will bear will be Babylonian captivity - a symbol of burden and penalty for sin. 

            By comparison, in Matthew chapter 11 Jesus said, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”  What an amazing transition of a symbol that takes us from the labor of a slave, to the love of a Saviour.   What we should remember about this symbol is that in both cases the yoke is a sign of submission.  In Jeremiah’s demonstration - a sign of captivity.  In Jesus’ depiction - a sign of love and hope.

            Today Christians should see the yoke as a symbol of being bound to Christ; forever linked with him as soldiers of the cross.  Imagine how different your day might be if you were physically yoked with Jesus.  Would you start your morning differently?  Would you act differently at work?  How would your interaction with family and friends differ?  Whatever you do, wherever you go, whomever you talk to, remember - the yoke’s on you!

NewManassas Side

8110 Signal Hill Road | Manassas, Virginia

Let us know about your interest in Studying the Bible

Members Login

Bible Study

biblestudysd

Top
                                                                       © 2013 Manassas Church of Christ