What Does Yoked Mean In The Bible? To understand what is meant by the term “yoked” in the Bible, one has to first look at its use in the ancient cultures that are mentioned in the Bible. In this context, the word can refer to two different things. It can mean being bound together by a shared burden or obligation, or it can refer to an animal-drawn cart being connected by a yoke.
In the ancient Near East, the yoke was used on animals, such as oxen, to allow them to pull a two-wheeled cart. In this context, the term “yoke” was used to refer to the apparatus by which two animals were bound together so that they could both pull a single cart. This was a common form of labor for the ancient Israelites, and the idea of being “yoked” together is often used metaphorically throughout the Bible to refer to being united or connected in a shared burden or obligation.
In the passage from Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus tells his followers to “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.” In this passage, Jesus is telling us to take on his burden or obligation, which is the burden of following his teachings and living according to his example. By taking on this yoke, we can learn from him and find rest for our souls and spiritual refreshment.
The idea of being “yoked” together can also be seen in passages from the Old Testament. In Deuteronomy 22:10, it states that “You shall not plow with an ox and a donkey yoked together.” Here, the Israelites are being told not to put an ox and a donkey together and have them do the work of plowing. The reason for this is because oxen and donkeys are of different strength and stature, so it would be unfair to both of them to make them pull an unequal load together.
This same concept can be applied to our spiritual lives as well. When we are trying to follow God and serve Him, we should not be yoked together with anything or anyone that would pull us away from Him. This includes trying to do the work of the Lord alongside things that are contrary to His commands or will. We must always remember to be careful not to place any kind of ungodly burden or obligation upon ourselves or others.
Reconciliation
The Bible teaches us that God created us to live in perfect fellowship with Him and with each other. Sin has broken that fellowship between man and God, and between man and man. To be reconciled to God and to our fellow men, we must take on the yoke of Jesus—His burden and obligation. To do this, we must accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior and follow His teachings as we seek to live in a manner that pleases Him. By doing this, we can experience the forgiveness, love and reconciliation that comes through Jesus Christ, who can turn our hearts of stone into hearts of flesh.
In Romans 10: 9-10, it states that “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” This passage shows us the importance of accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior and professing our faith in Him in order to receive salvation.
The Bible also tells us that we should be reconciled to each other. In Matthew 5:23-24, Jesus said, “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.” Jesus urges us to not just profess our faith to Him, but to also be reconciled with our brothers and sisters. This is not just a call to practice forgiveness, but also a call to seek reconciliation with any who may have wronged us and to strive for unity with one another as disciples of Christ.
Obedience
The idea of being “yoked” to Jesus also applies to our obedience to His commands. The Bible tells us in many places that we should follow God’s commands and laws and live our lives in obedience to Him. This is often referred to as “bearing the yoke of the Law.” In Matthew 11:29-30, Jesus said, “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.”
In this passage, Jesus is telling us that if we take on His yoke of obedience and follow His commands, we will find rest for our souls. The “rest” that Jesus is referring to is that of spiritual refreshment and the peace that comes with living in obedience to God’s will. By taking on this “yoke” and bearing the burden of obedience to God’s commands, we can find this rest and experience the true freedom that comes with following Jesus. In addition, we can also experience the joy of knowing that we are living out the will of our Father in Heaven.
In Summary
In summary, the term “yoked” in the Bible has many different meanings. In its simplest form, it refers to being bound together by a shared burden or obligation, or to animals being bound together by a yoke to pull a cart. Jesus used the term to refer to taking on his burden or obligation and following his teachings and example. He also used it to refer to the idea of being united with Him obediently. In the Old Testament, the term was used to refer to not placing an unequal burden on animals by having them pull a cart together. In our spiritual lives, this can be applied to not yoking ourselves to things that are contrary to God’s will or commandments. Finally, it is also used to refer to our need to be reconciled to God and to our fellow man.
The Yoke of Forgiveness
The Bible also speaks of taking on the yoke of forgiveness. Jesus taught his followers to forgive those who sin against them, even if they have been hurt by the offense. In Matthew 18:21-22, He states, “Then Peter came up and said to Him, ‘Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” Jesus is teaching us that we should strive to forgive those who hurt us, no matter the offense. This requires us to take on the yoke of forgiveness and to strive to love and forgive those who have wronged us, just as God has loved and forgiven us.
The Yoke of Relationship
The Bible also speaks of the yoke of relationship. In Romans 12:10, it states, “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” Here, Paul is teaching us the importance of building strong relationships with each other and to treat everyone with love and respect. A strong relationship is rooted in love, respect, and understanding, and it is something that we should strive for in all our relationships. This involves taking on the yoke of relationship and devoting ourselves to loving and honoring each other above ourselves.
The Yoke of Self-Control
The Bible speaks of taking on the yoke of self-control. In Galatians 5:22-23, Paul tells us that one of the fruits of the Spirit is “self-control.” The Apostle Peter also says in 1 Peter 1:13 to “make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control.” Both of these passages remind us of the need to take on the yoke of self-control and to strive to stay in control of our thoughts, words, and actions. This may require us to practice self-discipline and restraint, but it is essential to being a faithful follower of Christ.
The Yoke of Charity
Finally, the Bible speaks of taking on the yoke of charity. Jesus said in Matthew 25:34-40, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger and you invited me in; I needed clothes and you clothed me; I was sick and you looked after me; I was in prison and you came to visit me.” Jesus is teaching us about the importance of helping and serving those in need. This involves taking on the yoke of charity and showing kindness and compassion to those who are suffering and in need. This is an essential part of being a follower of Christ and of living out His will.
