Tag Archives: yoke

by Sharman J. Monroe

For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.     Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV)

I first learn this verse in a song when I was in choir in elementary school. I didn’t know then it was a scriptural verse; I just knew it was part of a song in Handel’s Messiah. We sang the first verses twice softly and in a short round. We sang the third verse twice; first the sopranos then the second sopranos and altos. We sang the fourth verse together as one voice. And the last two verses, we belted out in 3-part harmony. The audiences always loved it. I loved it too. Singing the last two verses was my favorite.

Jesus told us, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:29-30).

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines yoke as “a bar or frame that is attached to the heads or necks of two work animals so that they can pull a plow or heavy load together.” The two are bound together Continue reading →