The Yoke

Isaiah 10:24–27 KJV 1900

24 Therefore thus saith the Lord God of hosts, O my people that dwellest in Zion, Be not afraid of the Assyrian: He shall smite thee with a rod, And shall lift up his staff against thee, after the manner of Egypt. 25 For yet a very little while, and the indignation shall cease, And mine anger in their destruction. 26 And the Lord of hosts shall stir up a scourge for him According to the slaughter of Midian at the rock of Oreb: And as his rod was upon the sea, So shall he lift it up after the manner of Egypt. 27 And it shall come to pass in that day, That his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, And his yoke from off thy neck, And the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.

“O My people, who dwell in Zion, do not be afraid of the Assyrian.

He shall strike you with a rod and lift up his staff against you, in the manner of Egypt.

25 For yet a very little while and the indignation will cease, as will My anger in their destruction.”

26 And the Lord of hosts will stir up a scourge for him like the slaughter of Midian at the rock of Oreb; as His rod was on the sea, so will He lift it up in the manner of Egypt.

27 It shall come to pass in that day

That his burden will be taken away from your shoulder,

And his yoke from your neck,

And the yoke will be destroyed because of the anointing oil.

In northern Mesopotamia was the large empire of the Assyrians.

The Assyrians had conquered the regions around Palestine, Damascus and Samaria

They had made life miserable and very difficult for the Israelite people.

The Assyrians were not just a proud people;

they were beyond proud,

they were haughty, arrogant, self-conceited.

They believed that their military victories were because of their own strength, their own power and that they were completely in control.

They did not understand that God was only using them for His glory and for a greater purpose

Which was to draw Israel away from the idol gods and away from wickedness and selfishness.

The two sons of Joseph,

the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, part of the northern kingdom of Israel,

had fought against each other in a civil war because of their own oppressiveness,

and because of the unfair treatment of their own people.

So the Lord God had used the Assyrians as a tool by allowing them to conquer and enslave the Israelites

and to put them into bondage as a form of judgment against Israel.

In this story, Isaiah talks about the Israelites being in bondage to the Assyrians

He refers to this bondage as a “burden” that was around their shoulder

And a “yoke” around their neck

Isaiah mentioned that there was coming a day when “the burden” would be taken away

That the burden of “being in bondage” to the Assyrian’s would be removed

But He told it to them like this;

27 And it shall come to pass in that day,

that his burden shall be taken away from off your shoulder,

“and his yoke from off your neck,

and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.”

As I was reading this and studying this out my attention was drawn to two words;

The word “Yoke” and the word “Anointing”!

A Yoke was an instrument that was used on an ox in order to control that ox while pulling instruments used for farming.

and Anointing simple represents the presence and power of God

Today I want to draw our attention to the these two words “ The Yoke” and “The Anointing”

I want to look at their significances in these scriptures and in our lives.

First I want to draw our attention to the word yoke;

because the reality is that most are closer to the yoke than to the anointing.

I come to preach in love.

I come to preach with passion

I come to preach about “a road that I myself have walked down”

Today: I want to preach on the subject:

The Clamping of the Yoke!

pray

Most of you in here today; you will not be going back to a farm.

but; If you do live on a farm;

you have tractors that are used to pull heavy equipment to help prepare the ground for planting,

But in the days of this scripture we just read

they didn't have tractors!!!

They used an animal called an “Ox” to pull the heavy instruments to prepare the ground for seed.

This Ox was known as: “the Beast of Burden”.

because the heavy equipment he pulled became his burden,

This is significant.

Just like today;

their ground would get real hard from the rains packing down the dirt and the shifting of the earth

so they had to use the heavy equipment to prepare the ground for seed

They would use a device, known as “The Plow”

The Plow was used to dig in and turn the dirt over; in order to bring the minerals and the rich soil to the top.

The ground had to be broken in order for the farmer to be able to plant the seed.

Heavy plows had to be used and “The Ox” was the only animal that was strong enough to pull the plow.

The Ox was a huge beast; and it was extremely strong.

And the farmer would put a “yoke” around the neck of the Ox. and connect it to a plow.

But what I want us to understand today is that;

the farmer didn’t just go up to a full-grown Ox and strap a yoke around it’s shoulder’s and neck and Control that beast.

The farmer had to put that yoke on the ox when the ox was very young and when it was small

The farmer didn’t wait until the “ox” was full grown

But from a very young age; the farmer would put a yoke around the ox and the ox would walk around with this yoke

Day in and day out

And as the ox “grew in size”; the farmer would replace the yoke so as to fit firmly around its neck and shoulders

That farmer would control that ox from a young age; by this yoke.

all the ox had known; was “this yoke” around its neck

so when the ox grew in size and grew in strength;

The farmer was able to control the ox with this yoke,

because the ox had been yoked from an early age;

Let me take just a moment to define what a yoke “is” and what it represents in a spiritual since,

A yoke was a curved piece of wood that was fitted around the oxen’s neck

It was fitted with the purpose of “binding” the ox to pull a plow.

That word “yoke” in hebrew is also called a staff- not a staff that a shepherd used;

but that which means severe bondage, affliction, or subjection

so if you can understand what I am saying tonight;

They would yoke the Oxen

They would bind the oxen at a “young age” in order to control it at an “older age”.

but what you and I need to understand; is that the yoke, at a young age, had not yet become a burden;

It was just around the neck of the Ox and was only used “at this time” to control the direction of the ox.

It wasn’t until the Ox was full grown that a plow would be attached to the yoke;

and thats when that plow became a burden.

Can I tell you tonight the enemy is no different;

He tries everything he can to get the yoke around our “shoulders and neck” when we are young

When the yoke is fun

When it’s not really a bother;

but what we fail to realize is that;

the yoke; being fun in this season of your life, becomes a burden in the next season

Let me just explain something to you in a way that you might be able to better understand.,

no one starts of a drug addict.

no one starts of an alcoholic.

no one starts off a prostitute.

no one starts off liar or a cheater.

no one starts off addicted to pornography,

no one starts off a homosexual or a lesbian.

It starts in the early seasons of life

The season where the enemy is waiting to put a yoke around your neck.

You just want to have a good time.

but all the while the enemy has got a yoke; specially built to fit around your neck.

And He is waiting for the right moment.

So Go ahead friend; take another sip!

but watch out; it might just be the sip that allows the yoke to clamp down around your neck.,

Go Ahead; have sex outside of marriage; everyone is doing it

But watch out; the next time you involve yourself in a sexual act;

It might be the very moment the enemy has been waiting to clamp that yoke around your neck

and once it clamps down;

it’s a burden you will pull around the rest of your life.

no matter where you go or what you do; you’ll pull that burden.

what was once a season of fun; has now become a season of burden.

It’ll be a yoke that is clamped around your neck and controlling your life.

I’ve seen it happen over and over again.

Having fun for a season

Hell is full of those that were having fun for a season

and while they were having fun;

the enemy clamped the yoke upon their neck and now has control of their life.

brother Johnny Ray; you just don’t understand,

he loves me and he will never leave me;

He will always be mine.

All we are doing is fooling around:

we haven’t gone all the way or anything.

We really love each other.

Young lady listen to this preacher today:

There is a yoke that’s about to be clamped down on your neck and you’ll carry that burden the rest of your life.

That burden will take you down a road that you’ve never dreamed or imagined.

Many have believed the lie of the enemy and he slipped that yoke around their neck;

and they can’t find satisfaction within, and so now they look without

because there was a yoke that was clamped down on them at a young age.

Ladies You were created to be with one man and that man is your husband.

Men you were created to be with one woman and that woman is your wife

But Preacher You just don’t understand

It’s just a few pills

I’m not addicted

I’m just trying to get a little relief from all the stress I’m under

You may be under stress,

but the enemy is waiting for the right moment to clamp that yoke around your neck

It might be the next pill you take that takes you down a road that you’d wish you’d never been down.

That yoke will clamp around your neck and you’ll be pulled into a viscous cycle that will seem to have no escape.

It’ll be a clamp that will destroy your life

It’ll tear your family apart

It’ll shatter your dreams

It’ll drag you through the gutter of life

You see When that plow was connected to the yoke on the Ox; the load was heavy and burdensome.

From daylight till dark; all that ox would do is pull that plow up and down those fields,

It’s was a burden and there seemed to be no escape

and it’s the same for you and I, when the Yoke is clamped around or necks.

Society will tell you that the homosexual or the lesbian are born that way.

My friend that is not the case.

Most of the time it happens in the early years of their life;

the enemy seizes the opportunity to clamp the yoke around their neck,

It may have been just experimenting to that individual;

but to the enemy, it’s a golden opportunity.

The yoke is clamped and it’s a burden that is carried;

or for those that are addicted to pornagraphy

Just a picture here and a picture there;

but the next picture was the one that caused the yoke to be clamped.

and once it was clamped; You will be in the battle of your life

listen my friend:

I understand the lure of the enemy

but I know some that thought there was no harm in a little fun

but something happened;

During the season of sowing those wild oats; the yoke was clamped down and it now they are being led;

it controls them and it took them down roads they never dreamed or imagined,

Brother johnny ray:

It’s just a little sin.

No big deal

I’ve seen it too many times friend

People just wanting to have a little fun

But before they knew what had happened;

the next time was the one that allowed the yoke to clamp around their neck.

And they ended up on a road that they never thought could happen to them.

I know what I’m talking about:

I’ve seen it happen all my life.

Right here in this community

People just wanting to have a little fun;

not really meaning any harm.

People I grew up with

People you grew up with

But the enemy seized the opportunity in their lives;

It breaks my heart.

SO MUCH potential; but because of the yoke clamped around their neck.

I’ve seen it

You’ve seen it

The enemy is not your friend

He is out to destroy your life

John 10:10

The thief comes not but for to steal to kill and destroy

I know the power of the yoke.

I understand the bondage that the yoke can bring.

I’ve seen the destruction caused by the yoke.

But listen to me:

In every case it started with the season of having a little fun

the season of vulnerabililty;

When that young ox had that yoke put around his neck; he was vulnerable.

He didn’t know what the outcome was going to be.

He just knew that something was being put around his neck.

Most adults that are carrying burdens now;

wish that they could go back and change things.

They wish they could go back to that moment when the door was opened for the enemy to clamp down that yoke.

listen to me

what was done yesterday is done.

you can’t change the past

but you can determine what goes on today.

you need to be on guard and watch out for the enemy.

he don’t like you

He don’t want you to succeed in life.

He wants to sift you as wheat;

what does that mean brother johnny ray.

He wants you dead.

but he can’t kill you;

so what he does is; he builds a yoke for you.

It’s a yoke that is tailored to fit around your neck.

It may not be what I mentioned;

But whatever it is; it is tailored for your neck

and if he can ever get it around you;

It will be a burden that will slow you down.

It will be a burden that will prevent you from fulfilling what God has called you to do,

It will be a burden that will eventually take you out.

God was speaking to His people through His Prophet Isaiah:

they had been under the captivity of the Assyrians:

They were in bondage to the Egyptians;

They had been yoked by their enemies.

You may be in here tonight and you may have been yoked by the enemy

and you may be on the verge of that yoke clamping around your neck,’

Listen to this preacher tonight:

I like what the Lord told Isaiah to tell to His people.

27 And it shall come to pass in that day,

that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder,

and his yoke from off thy neck,

and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.

You can try with all your might; but the yoke of the enemy is powerful;

You didn’t put the yoke on and you can’t take it off

And this is where I wanted to take us tonight.

We know the enemy is waiting for the right moment to clamp the yoke.

For some the yoke has already been clamped

We saw from the illustration that Isaiah used; that there is a burden that come with the yoke

It’s heavy

It’s difficult

It’ll take you where you don’t want to go.

It’ll prevent you from doing what God wants you to do.

It’ll destroy lives

It’ll destroy families

I’ll destroy marriages.

It kills potential

But when I studied this out

When I prayed and asked God;

What are you trying to tell us Lord

I believe God wants me to tell you this tonight;

You may have come to this place today; broken and undone.

You may have come in bondage

You may have come with a yoke clamped around your neck

But I got to tell you the rest of the story

I got to tell you the rest of the story

God had allowed them to be taken into captivity and put in bondage by their enemy so God could get their attention.

Somebody needs to hear this

Because of your choices in life

You have found yourself in bondage to the enemy

Oh I wish somebody would hear what I saying

You don’t have to leave here the same way you came.

No sir

No ma’am

God is a good God.

God may have allowed them to come under bondage to the assryians,

but God didn’t leave em in their condition.

The bible tells us;

It shall come to pass in that day.

Oh today is somebodies day.

The Lord is speaking to somebody

You’ve been walking around with that yoke for years

You’ve been carrying that weight on your shoulder far too long

You’ve been pulling that burden since you’ve been a teenager.

It’s slowed you down

It’s hinder you from fulfilling what God’s called you to do.

You’ve carried that un-forgiveness long enough

It’s robbed your joy

It’s destroying your life

Watch what the prophets tells the children of Israel,

It shall come to pass in that day

That your burden shall be taken off of your shoulder.

Friend today is that day

You have carried it way too long

It’s time to give it to the Lord

It’s time to lay it at his feet

But he didn’t stop there.

The prophet goes on to tell them that not only would there burden be lifted from their shoulders;

But the yoke would taken from their neck

Some of you been walking in bondage for far too long,

You have been bound by the clamping of the yoke for far too many years.

Today is your day

God wants to set you free

And Not only does He want to set you free

But he wants to destroy the very thing that had you bond in the first place.

The prophet said:

27 It shall come to pass in that day

That his burden will be taken away from your shoulder,

And the yoke will be destroyed because of the anointing.

And his yoke from your neck,

And the yoke will be destroyed because of the anointing

.

I’m glad for the opportunity to fill this pulpit this tonight

But hear me today

It ain’t because of me that the yoke will be lifted and destroyed,

It is because of the anointing.

The anointing is simple the presence of God…………..

I’m telling you friend

The enemy cannot stand in the presence of God .

If you want that burden lifted of your shoulder

You got to get into the presence of God

If you want that yoke to be taken from around your neck

You got to get in the presence of the Lord

If you want the yoke to be destroyed in your life

You got to get into the presence of the Lord……………………………