"The Yoke's On You!"

Scripture Passage

Ezekiel 3:16-4:17; Jeremiah 27-28:17; Jeremiah 51:59-64

Scripture Focus

“Go and tell Hananiah, ‘This is what the LORD says: You have broken a wooden yoke, but you have replaced it with a yoke of iron.’” (Jeremiah 28:13 NLT)

Observation

Today’s readings—both Ezekiel and Jeremiah—give a glimpse at what creative communicators these men of God were. It’s kind of funny to think about Ezekiel making a little clay model of Jerusalem under siege—but here we are centuries later still pondering his message! And in one of the last prophetic acts of his ministry, Jeremiah makes and dons a wooden yoke. Then he shows up at a meeting where King Zedekiah is hosting representatives of five neighboring nations.

It’s possible that King Zedekiah had called this meeting to strategize with these nations about forming an alliance to rebel against King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. If so, Jeremiah’s message would have been completely unwelcome.

…you must submit to Babylon’s king and serve him; put your neck under Babylon’s yoke! I will punish any nation that refuses to be his slave, says the LORD. I will send war, famine, and disease upon that nation until Babylon has conquered it. (Jeremiah 27:8 NLT)

It’s not long before an opposing voice speaks. Hananiah offers an “alternative prophecy” that within two years, Babylon’s yoke will be broken—and he illustrates his point by breaking into pieces the wooden yoke Jeremiah had created. God responds:

“Go and tell Hananiah, ‘This is what the LORD says: You have broken a wooden yoke, but you have replaced it with a yoke of iron.’” (Jeremiah 28:13 NLT)

In other words, “You’ve announced things will get better—and made them worse. The yoke of Babylon will be even more severe and more enduring than before!” Jeremiah’s words are validated by the death of Hananiah within two months.

All this makes me wonder how much my own persistent rebellion—or, at the least, persistent resistance to the Lord’s discipline—only makes matters worse. We used to understand better, I think, that discipline was a necessary part of growth. “Stand up and take your medicine like a man,” we’d say (or something like that). Today we look to delay or avoid what’s ultimately unavoidable—and add “penalty and interest” in the process. Hebrews comes to mind as a fitting challenge…

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,
     and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
     and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.”
                                         (Hebrews 12:5-6 NIV)

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