Monday: Jeremiah’s Yoke
Read Jeremiah 27:1-18. What is the message of the Lord to the people? Why would this seem treasonous to many who heard it?
Image © Kevin Carden from GoodSalt.com
The yoke Jeremiah had to put on his body was an unmistakable sign of the humiliation that the nation suffered; it’s what we call a military occupation. (In Deuteronomy 28:48 and 1 Kings 12:4, the idea of a yoke appears as an expression of oppression.) Jeremiah had to experience physically what the Babylonian invasion meant. The wooden yoke Jeremiah put on his arms and shoulders was one and a half meters long and eight centimeters thick. The essence of his message was that if a country revolted against Babylon, the Lord would take it as if the country had revolted against Him, and the rebellious would suffer as a result.
Though there is some ambiguity in the original texts, it seems that Jeremiah did not have to make a yoke only for himself, but also for the envoys of foreign countries who had come to Jerusalem and were plotting against Nebuchadnezzar-despite the Lord’s warnings not to. The natural response would be to fight against a foreign invader, which is what they wanted to do. No doubt, then, Jeremiah’s words were not at all welcome.
What’s especially important about the message in Jeremiah 27:5? (See also Dan. 4:25.)
Here again, as we find all through the Bible-Old and New Testaments-the Lord as Creator is Sovereign over all the earth. Even amid what appears to be chaos and catastrophe (invasion and dominion by a pagan nation), the power and authority of God is revealed, and this was, and is, to be a source of hope to all in the faithful remnant.
It’s one thing to be under a yoke of bondage. However, ask yourself: Have you placed someone else under an unfair yoke, and if so, why not remove it now?
(24)
Through Jeremiah and his yoke the prophetic word reveals that Jehovah is interested in and active among not only his chosen people or Christians, but also those who do not know or acknowledge Him. The Creator of all used a pagan power to take action against other pagan nations, as well as His own people, and any who resisted only suffered more (Jeremiah 27:1-8).
Jehovah allows or restrains the forces of this world although they may seem out of control or under the free rein of Satan. As hearts are failing with fear on account of terrorism, harsh violence, environmental worries and economic instability the remnant people are not to be terrified and hang down their heads like those without vision or hope (Proverbs 29:18; Amos 3:6-8).
It is evident when economic troubles or physical violence increase the pendulum swings to some degree politically from freedom to security and spiritually from love to fear (1 John 4:18) as panic sets it.
Prophecy tells of severe restrictions of freedom towards the end of time (Revelation 13:15-17). This need not catch the people of prophecy by surprise (Revelation 12:17; 19:10), or worse, unprepared (Romans 13:11-14).
In the midst of turmoil the saints may have peace (John 14:27) because they have an anchor in the Lord (Hebrews 6:19). The signs which cause distress to others signal to the faithful to lift up their heads for their redemption draws near (Luke 21:28). Their prayer is, “But you, O LORD, are a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of my head.” (Psalm 3:3)
Thanks for your comment this morning, timely, inspiring and comforting.
what do you mean by saying by put someone on a yoke
I wad thinking the same question Kevin?
Kevin, my suggestion is this : a yoke is an implement that is used to CONTROL the actions of another. A yoke is normally used with animals (such as horses of bullocks,) when a person wants to unite their efforts to plough a field, or to haul heavy loads, etc.
When Jesus asks us to take His "yoke" upon us, He is saying [in part] that He invites us into a "working relationship" with Him. With Him beside us, He teaches us to 'pull in the same direction' that He is 'pulling' in. But when human beings try to dominate or control others, it always brings problems.
Excellent. Thank you Stewart.
The message from Jehovah was they must submit to Babylon or be punished by the curses of the covenant (Lev 26) - sword, famine, pestilence. But really Jehovah was saying "submit to Me" & "love me", today we also have that message - submit your will to the will of Jesus Christ and live in harmony with the character of Jesus Christ. "Love Me and keep My commandments"
Jeremiah 27:8 And it shall be, that the nation and kingdom which will not serve Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, and which will not put its neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, that nation I will punish,’ says the Lord, ‘with the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, until I have consumed them by his hand.
11 But the nations that bring their necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon and serve him, I will let them remain in their own land,’ says the Lord, ‘and they shall till it and dwell in it.’ ” ’ ”
12 I also spoke to Zedekiah king of Judah according to all these words, saying, “Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him and his people, and live!
In those day the King judgment was law. But its good to listen to the man of God. I was reading what the Dr. of the law was saying about the disciple preaching Jesus Christ in Acts 5. But Gamaliel stood up and told them in verse 39 if it was of God they would be fighting against God. To day it could be a warning to us to turn to Christ and not to our own thoughts. We should always be careful who we listen to and follow.
When I read todays lesson, I couldn't help but review in my mind. Matthew 11:29. "Now take My yolk upon you, and learn of Me, for I am gentle, and humble in heart and you will find rest for your soul. If they would have listened to the Lord, and turned to Him. Jeremiah 44:5. They would not have called Jeremiah treasonous or blasphemous. Rather there yolk would have been light. Jeremiah 18:11.
Correction Jeremiah 27:11
"And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23)."
What is to take up the cross daily and follow me mean
Yoke set by fellow mankind, will mean burdens. For example someone who has surbordinates is and is treating them un fairly for being disadvantaged and it could even mean delaying there pay dues. The bible commends us to do to others what could love to be done to us.
Jeremiah life was full of pain, in this generation there devoted men who are willing to serve in hard places even facing death. The question could be why can't they stop evengelising in those places, God is not slack in his promises but He needs all mankind to be saved. We called to live a life of Christ, for his yoke is light and he'll kindly show us how to bear it. Jeremiah could not afford that yoke had it been Jesus was with him.
Throughout scripture we are reminded that God is sovereign over nations...that Nebuchadnezzar, and Cyrus a little later, were described as God's 'servants'; as well as the inference of sovereignty over the visiting dignitaries to Jerusalem; and all the prophetic word of Daniel and other prophets,informs us that the plans and purposes of even Kings and Presidents do not take precedence over the purposes of God.
As we sit in horror at the events unfolding before us in the Middle East and beyond, it can appear that God has lost control, and our fear maybe that events guided and instigated by the enemy of our souls is catching God by surprise. Not so. God has not, nor ever will abdicate His authority. Despite the seeming chaos, despite the confusion among the leaders of the world on how to react to the perplexing issues that face us all, and despite what seems to be a continuing inevitable escalation leading to perhaps a third world war, I am sure that if we could see with our spiritual eyes those principal antagonists in the current crisis, we would see yokes upon the necks of many, curtailing and stalling enemy plans that would rush us unprepared into the future.
Yet while we can be confident in God's ultimate sovereignty and control over the nations, Jeremiah warns us that at such a time as this, repentance and surrender to the purposes of the Most High is our only safe position.
All these lesson is to help us to see what is instore for those who obey not the gospel. We see that God has not changed and will do just what he has done in time past to this very day. We must see ourselves in these lessons and serve the one who made heaven and earth. Exodus 20:4
I see a lot of resemblance of Jeremiah's book happening in today'sworld and it worries me.
Moyo Melson's question has not been answered. Who can assit? What does it mean taking up your cross daily and follow Christ?
Take Up Your Cross
Mark 8:34-35 (NIV) Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it."
· Bible Knowledge Commentary: "When the Roman Empire crucified a criminal or captive, the victim was often forced to carry his cross part of the way to the crucifixion site, carrying his cross through the heart of the city."
Luke 9:23-24 (NIV) Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it."
· NIV Study Notes: "The picture is of a man, already condemned, required to carry the beam of his own cross to the place of execution. Disciples from Galilee knew what this meant, for hundreds of men had been executed by this means in their region."
Mat 10:38 (NIV) ... anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
This was only part of the posting
http://www.acts17-11.com/death.html
When baptized we became dead to self, so we are kind of dead men walking & should be carrying our own cross.
I believe the Apostle Paul helps to answer this question in Galatians 2:20. When he says "I am crucified with Christ (that is "I am dead"), he goes on to say, "nevertheless I live, but not I, but Christ lives in me.
In other words, we are no longer to live for self. We are not to consult our own preferences. We are to submit all our daily plans to Christ to be carried out or given up as his providence shall indicate. We begin by submitting ourselves to Christ each morning and listening to His directions all day.
The more constantly we learn to do this, the more we shall become like Christ.
Doesn't the memory verse give a clear understanding when it reads: "let him deny himself..."? This is where it is no longer "I, but Christ" in every choice made. God's word is the lamp for our feet, which is where we gain the knowledge to follow by grace. If we take Jesus' yoke (meaning: to learn of Him) and by beholding His character, are formed into His image.
This is all describing the reality of not living on bread alone, but "by every Word that proceeds from God". Bible study is how God teaches through the Holy Spirit, and our denying (the natural) self is our response when God's will and ours doesn't align perfectly when a choice is required. It is making daily (all day) choices based on the knowledge gained from God's word and followed in the place of our own inclination. Ps 119:33-40 is a wonderful prayer for any seeking the sanctified life by faith.
This parable of Jeremiah's yoke is better understood when considering Habakkuk's complaint and God's reply. This is the principle that also helps us unlock the symbols of the 7 trumpets in Revelation 8-11. This is how God works in a fallen world when His professed people fail to have faith, uniting with the world and it's ways of daily living for self, causing the name of the LORD to be profaned among the nations. What better way to evangelize the fallen race than through the ruling world powers? The Gospel was given in vivid, powerful ways by God's faithful servants while in captivity, since the City of God was derelict to duty through unbelief.
Must God find others faithful to His call while His professed people fail to heed it today?