The Yoke’s on YOU…
Galatians 5:1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. ESV
ζυγός/zugos is the Greek for a yoke.
Literally, a yoke is a wooden bar placed over the neck of a pair of animals so they can pull together. A yoke was used on oxen by farmers to plough a field. As a matter of practical application, the law requires two of the same animals to be yoked together.
Deuteronomy 22:10 You shall not plow with an ox and a donkey together.
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Figuratively in a Jewish sense, a yoke is a heavy burden. It can be seen as a symbol of oppression. In Jeremiah 27, God asked Jeremiah to place a yoke on his neck as an object lesson for the nations. Figuratively, God was asking the nations to place themselves under the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. Note the consequences of the nation if there was disobedience of God’s directive.
Jeremiah 27:8 But if any nation or kingdom will not serve this Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and put its neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, I will punish that nation with the sword, with famine, and with pestilence, declares the LORD, until I have consumed it by his hand.
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A yoke unites two people to move and/or work together as one. As believers, we are called to work together in the understanding and study of Christ. We are to set our minds on Jesus.
Philippians 4:3 Yes, and I ask you, my true yokefellow, to help these women who have labored with me for the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.
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Granted, we are not under the Mosaic Law today in Jesus Christ. For Christians, the issue is not marrying within our tribe or country. We are called to seek the like-minded in Christ in marriage. The command is to avoid being unequally yoked in marriage.
2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
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We are going to serve something. As believers, we are called to be slaves to Christ. Serving Christ’s yoke of love is easier than serving the yoke of one’s own sin or vice.
2 Peter 2:19 They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves to depravity. For a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him.
The Greek word for depravity is φθορά/phthora. It can also be translated as corruption, destruction, decay, rottenness, or decomposition. Apart from Christ, this is where humanity is headed.
Humanity has two choices. We can be yoked to Jesus. Or we can be yoked to slavery that is sin. Jesus Himself called us to be yoked to Him.
Matthew 11:28-30 Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 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.
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Turn to the yoke of Jesus Christ and do not look back. Do not return to your life of sinful behavior. This is the message from the Apostle Paul in Galatians 5:1. Do not be like the dog returning to his vomit. Peter confirms the same notion. Things will only get worse.
2 Peter 2:20 For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.
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