you have multiplied the nation;
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as they are glad when they divide the spoil.
for the yoke of his burden,
and the staff for his shoulder,
the rod of his oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of midian.
for every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult
and every garment rolled in blood
will be burned as fuel for the fire. [isaiah 9:3-5]
two yokes.
the people of israel knew what it was to be yoked to an oppressor–because of their sin, there were attacks from all sides–God was constantly calling them back to repentance and obedience.
i am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of egypt, that you should not be their slaves. and i have broken the bars of your yoke and made you walk erect. [leviticus 16:13]
before the victory that we have in Christ, we also bore a yoke–in our sin, we had no hope:
my transgressions were bound into a yoke; by his hand they were fastened together; they were set upon my neck; he caused my strength to fail; the Lord gave me into the hands of those whom i cannot withstand. [lamentations 1:14]
but Jesus offers us another yoke:
come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and i will give you rest. take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for i am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” [matthew 11:28-30]
do you see? we will bear a yoke–will it be the heavy yoke of sin, or the light yoke of redemption by the blood of Jesus?
for those who still bear the heavy and harsh yoke, Jesus bids you–”come!” for those who bear the light and gentle yoke of Christ, let us join in prayer for those who have yet to be saved. today, in the presence of God let us be grateful for our redemption and exclaim in increasing joy with paul:
thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift! [2 corinthians 9:15]
~ce