yoke - blessing or curse?

We hear much about yokes. I have read a good article about yokes on this very platform.

I have a few thoughts I would like to share with you.

The first time yoke is mentioned is in the Book of Genesis, chapter 27 when Isaac is giving a blessing to Esau.

Later when Moses is telling Israel the message from Jehovah regarding their future choice, to follow the path of Jehovah and be blessed greatly, or disobey and be punished. It is important to note that when a nation enters into a covenant relationship with God, the rewards and cursings are greatly multiplied. The primary reason is God wants his children to return to him after living a good life of obedience. When one reads Deuteronomy chapter 28 as great as the blessings are, the curses and punishments are spine chilling. It is with sorrow that one can follow the history of God's chosen people and see the fulfillment of God's word. Look carefully at verse 48 where Israel are warned about the yoke of iron upon their neck.

So we see that a yoke has several meanings

1. To unite powerful animals into a single direction. (also prevents the animals wandering off)

1. As a means of domination; a slave will have a yoke placed around his neck. (prevents the slave from escaping - do you remember the old classic movie called Ben Hur? The galley slaves were chained to their benches with yoke of iron around their ankles. When the ship sank, the slaves drowned with the destruction of their boat). Also when African people were taken as slaves to work in the plantations in America? They were all chained together; if the slave trader was being chased, they would simply push the slaves overboard and they would all be dragged to a watery death.

1. Assist a labourer with carrying several heavy objects more easily.

1. The term is also used to denote oppression or domination.

Thus when Jesus walked the earth, he said to his listeners who were heavy laden that they must take his yoke upon them, for it is an easy yoke and his burden is light. (See Matthew chapter 11, verses 28 to 30). I am sure many have spoken about the implications of this profound passage. The burden of unrepented sin is much greater than the burden of repentance and trying to live a good life.

This may seem silly in our modern world of relativism where it is okay for us all to do our own thing. The usual expressions, "it is my life", "it is my choice", "it is my body", and so on. There is a great deal of deviation on the moral compass of the world.

Yet our modern society cannot survive without general compliance to certain rules. For example, Rules of the Road, or Traffic Rules. Before a person is allowed to drive a motor vehicle on the road, much training is required. What side of the road to drive, speed limits, understanding the difference between red traffic lights and green traffic lights. If we had to use the moral compass that current society insists upon when we are driving a vehicle, there could be a great deal of tragedy and death. Even the vehicles have to be maintained at a certain standard of road worthiness.

The entire fabric of society is based upon laws, failure to comply may not only cause suffering for others, but punishment for the law breakers if found.

Going back to my simple example of rules of the road, the ultimate objective for the society that uses vehicles for business and recreation, is to maximise freedom of individuals. Disobeying the rules of the road does not enhance freedom.

So there is another definition that can be added to the above:

1. A yoke can be used to enhance freedom, spiritual freedom, moral freedom and even physical freedom.

Law may be regarded as restrictive, but it can actually be liberating.

When my Dad was a learner pilot in the RAF in the Second World War, he obeyed certain tedious rules. Certain situations arose that were outside of his skill parameters. Because he was obedient, he still had sufficient altitude to avoid a fatal crash. Several of his comrades died in accidents because their altitude was too low when complications arose. So who was really free in this situation? My Dad or his more carefree buddies?

The answer is obvious.

The yoke of discipline and obedience are actually a pathway to freedom, far greater than any short sighted chaos.

I am afraid that choice always has consequence attached to it. Do you want real freedom? The choice is yours.