Two oxen bound by the beck and tied together under a wooden bar. Wherever one moves, the other one must follow. They share the burden and carry the loads together. There is no escape for the strapped animals – they will stay together, no matter what, unless their master sets them free… or one of them breaks lose, somehow.

I stared at the picture my pastor put on the screen yesterday morning, taking in the depth of the imagery. As illustration to his sermon “A Personal Invitation” based on Matthew 11:28-30, he used the picture of an oxen’s yoke to remind us of Jesus’ invitation to share the believer’s burdens: If we have Jesus and stay close to Him, He promises to help carry our every burden, just as oxen help each another.

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

It was a wonderful message on the hope and promise we have in Christ: Even though we may walk through dark valleys, we are never alone to bear life’s heavy burdens.

During my prayer time this morning, however, the Holy Spirit revealed another facet of this imagery.

I was praying specifically for some women I know, who have asked prayers for their children. These mothers are suffering as their children struggle with various issues.  Prodigal sons and daughters who seem to have broken lose from the yoke they share with Christ… and are now bearing heavy burdens on their own.

While praying for these friends, an overwhelming feeling of sadness grabbed my heart. It’s as if, as a mother, I could feel these sweet ladies’ burdens. As I prayed and cried out to the Lord, a bible verse popped in my head, together with the picture of the yoke I saw yesterday at church. I finished praying, and looked up the verse, hidden in the book of Isaiah:

“Is this not the fast which I choose, to loosen the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free and break every yoke?” Isaiah 58:6 – NASB

When Isaiah penned these words, he was admonishing Israel about the motives behind their worship and service. Israel was missing the point of a vital, living relationship with Yahweh. True worship must be more than religious rituals such as going to the temple, fasting and serving at church. He does not want us acting righteous, while we harbor wickedness in our lives or unforgiveness in our hearts. Isaiah uses the imagery of oxen bound by a yoke when he talks about the unrighteousness in Israel’s heart, as well as the oppression that kept people enslaved to their sin.

Upon further study, I found the same imagery in several other passages of Scriptures:

I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt so that you would not be their slaves, and I broke the bars of your yoke and made you walk erect. Leviticus 26:13

And in the New Testament:

“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1

And so, It dawned on me.

“Wait a second.” I thought, “there is no way that two oxen are put together under a piece of wood, a strap around their neck, and magically start walking in the same direction without resistance. There must be a method to the madness.”

And so, I googled it, of course.

On top of the page, in bold letter, the explanation I sought:

Teaching oxen to wear the yoke

Two days before beginning the training, tie the oxen for a few hours to a tree. The animals will get used to being tied, and will be quieter.

(…)

To get young oxen used to the yoke, you can put the ox which is to be trained along with an ox already trained. 

Binding together – It Takes Time

The article explaining how to train an ox is designed for new farmers, but it is filled with insight on why the Lord used the imagery of a yoke to talk both about slavery, as well as the bond formed between us and Christ, as we draw close to Him.

Learning how to bring Christ our burdens and allowing Him to help us carry them is not something that happens overnight. It’s a day-by-day exercise. It only happens as we train to spend time with the Master. Only as we allow ourselves to be trained “alongside” Him who has been trained in all things, are we able to follow His every direction, and not rebel against His leading. We learn to trust Him.

But let us not deceive ourselves. There are many people, including Christians, who are bound under the wrong yoke. They are slaves, and don’t even know it. The leading “strong ox” under that yoke… is satan.

There are many people, including Christians, who are bound under the wrong yoke. They are slaves, and don’t even know it. The leading “strong ox” under that yoke… is satan.
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They may be under the yoke of addiction… or depression… or under sexual six. The strong ox is leading the way to all the wrong roads, keeping them bound, lost and defenseless.

But the good news for us today, my friend, is that Yahweh, the God of Covenant, is also a Yoke Breaker.

The One who broke the yoke of slavery that held His people for 400 years in Egypt, is strong enough to break every chain. But we must invite Him into the process… and agree to lay down whatever is keeping us bound.

The One who broke the yoke of slavery that held His people for 400 years in Egypt, is strong enough to break every chain.
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As I closed my prayer time for my friends, the words kept pouring out of my lips, repeatedly:

“Break the Yoke, Father. Break the Yoke, Lord. In the mighty Name of Jesus, break every yoke.”

If your child has gone astray… and seems to be bound under the wrong yoke, I challenge you to boldly cry out of the Master, begging Him to break it… knowing that He is faithful to hear your prayers, and set them free.

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Eph 6:12
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