Yoke...

Yoke...

I was awakened to a letter written by a friend who at this moment is in
Africa sharing the love of Christ...they are sharing at festivals in Kampala, Uganda, this weekend...they thought about a thousand people came last night with 250 coming forward to receive Christ...

Then I opened my "extra" reading book, "Gospel Patrons" to find that the chapter was partly about John Newton, slave trader turned song writer/evangelist...and then my devotional was about freedom and slavery as well...no coincidence .....


My mind conjured up this picture of a person laden down with a yoke so heavy they are stooped over trudging through life bent over...that is how I picture and have seen some pictures of slaves brought to this country years ago...sin that we carry has the same effect...

but, here is this friend in Africa, not collecting slaves but sharing the life giving, yoke breaking Good News of Christ's love...the yoke thrown off, people set free, raising of hands  to the God who frees....taking the bond of love ....

What a mind's picture!!! Praise replaces sorrow...freedom replaces slavery...thank YOU...

In  Jeremiah 27:2 ; 28:10,12the word in the Authorized Version rendered "yoke" is motah , which properly means a "staff," or as in the Revised Version, "bar."
These words in the Hebrew are both used figuratively of severe bondage, or affliction, or subjection ( Leviticus 26:13 ; 1 Kings 12:4 ;  Isaiah 47:6 ;  Lamentations 1:14 ;  3:27 ). In the New Testament the word "yoke" is also used to denote servitude ( Matthew 11:29  Matthew 11:30 ;  Acts 15:10 ;  Galatians 5:1 ).https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/yoke/



“Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment.
Exodus 6:6

“‘In that day,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘I will break the yoke off their necks and will tear off their bonds; no longer will foreigners enslave them.
Jeremiah 30:8

29 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. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:29-30

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:1

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/christiancrier/2015/06/18/what-does-yoke-mean-in-the-bible/

"FREEDOM IN HIM, Sarah Young, Jesus Always
I APPROACH YOU WITH TENDERNESS, BECAUSE YOU ARE PRECIOUS TO ME AND I KNOW HOW FRAGILE YOU ARE.
I draw you with gentle cords, with bands of Love. These Love-cords keep you connected to Me; they also help you discern the way you should go. Though My bands of Love are unbreakable, they do not curtail your freedom. These highly elastic bands allow you to go your own way for a while. However, even if they are stretched out for a long time—as you seek to live independently of Me—they retain their drawing power. Eventually, when you grow weary of worldly ways, the cords draw you gently back to Me.
No matter how far you have roamed, I welcome you with unfailing Love. I stoop down both to nourish you and to liberate you: take the yoke from your neck.
The yoke is a symbol of slavery, and you have been a slave to sin. My death on the cross for your sins provided a way to free you from this slavery. I have broken the bands of your yoke and replaced them with bands of Love. Now you can walk upright—with your head held high—rejoicing in Me, your Savior.
When the Son sets you free, you are free indeed!

"I drew them with gentle cords, with bands of love, and I was to them as those who take the yoke from their neck. I stooped and fed them.” HOSEA 11: 4 NKJV
MLet the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. PSALM 143: 8

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” JOHN 8: 34–36

"I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that you should not be their slaves; I have broken the bands of your yoke and made you walk upright.” LEVITICUS 26: 13 NKJV"