Yoke
A yoke is a wooden harness that connects a pair of animals to a plow or cart. Oxen were most often used for these tasks, and a pair of oxen was called a “yoke of oxen” (1 Sam. 11:7 NASB; Luke 14:19 NIV). These animals had to work together, so it was best if they were of a similar size. Literal mentions of yokes in the Bible include using unyoked animals for sacrifices (Num. 19:2; Deut. 21:1–9) and not yoking different animals together (Deut. 22:10). The yoke was used in several different ways to represent a burden to which a person must submit.
Bondage or Duty
The yoke is frequently used as a symbol of slavery to a foreign king. One of the punishments listed for breaking the covenant is “you will serve the enemies the LORD sends against you. He will put an iron yoke on your neck until he has destroyed you” (Deut. 28:48 NIV). This image was even used in connection with oppressive Israelite kings. Evil King Rehoboam told his people, “My father made your yoke heavy; I will make it even heavier” (1 Kings 12:14 NIV). Being treated like yoked oxen is a fitting symbol for slavery and oppression.
Animals that are yoked together are closely joined, so it is important that they be well matched.
Sin is also portrayed as a yoke of bondage. Jeremiah wrote, “My rebellious acts are a heavy burden for me. They were tied together by God’s own hands. They were tied around my neck. He has weakened me with them. The Lord has handed me over to people I cannot oppose” (Lam. 1:14). The image is of a yoke being put on him. Likewise, Paul called the Jewish ceremonial laws a “yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear” (Acts 15:10 NIV). As such, he held that Gentile believers should not be placed under its rigorous regulations.
Alliance or Union
Animals that are yoked together are closely joined and forced to move together, so a yoke is also used as a symbol for an alliance or union. Believers have to be careful in making associations with others, either in friendship or in business. When Israel participated in pagan rituals it was said to have “yoked” itself with Baal (Num. 25:3, 5 NIV). Paul warns us, “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?” (2 Cor. 6:14 ESV). Here he calls to mind the Old Testament prohibition against yoking oxen with donkeys: “Never plow with an ox and a donkey harnessed together” (Deut. 22:10). This prohibition was most likely made either for the mercy of the animal, because an ox would be stronger than a donkey and thus would have to pull more than its fair share of the weight, or to avoid joining a ceremonially clean animal with an unclean animal. The implication for Paul’s warning, then, is that a nonbeliever might pull a believer into sin, particularly in matters of conscience.
Yoked animals need to be the same size and strength; Paul warns believers not to be yoked in close relationship with unbelievers.
The Yoke of Christ
The most famous use of a yoke as a symbol is in Jesus’ promise, “Place my yoke over your shoulders, and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble. Then you will find rest for yourselves because my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:29–30). In contrast with the oppressive regulations placed on the Jews by the Pharisees, Jesus offered a simple life of love and devotion to a kind heavenly Father. The laws to which we should submit are for our own good. The burden of suffering he gives us is filtered through his loving hands. He is the kind of master whose yoke it is easy to submit to.
Key Verse
Place my yoke over your shoulders, and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble. Then you will find rest for yourselves because my yoke is easy and my burden is light. (Matt. 11:29–30)