Jeremiah 27

“Then I spoke to the priests and to all this people, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD: Do not listen to the words of your prophets who are prophesying to you, saying, ‘Behold, the vessels of the LORD’s house will now shortly be brought back from Babylon,’ for it is a lie that they are prophesying to you.’” (Jeremiah 27:16, ESV)

Not everything that sounds true is actually truth. Jeremiah prophesied at a time when false prophets abounded. They were telling the people what they wanted to hear. They were telling them that their suffering under the yoke of King Nebuchadnezzar would be short-lived. Soon the vessels that Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the LORD’s house would be returned. But none of these things were true. If the people of Judah would not submit to Nebuchadnezzar, then he would return and take everything from the temple.

We have all been deceived by sin. Sometimes we don’t realize that we are being deceived until much later, after the damage is done. If we would protect ourselves from deception, then we must familiarize ourselves with the truth. Jeremiah was God’s herald of truth, but nobody wanted to listen. He told them that if they didn’t submit to the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar, they would perish from the land. Tragically, King Zedekiah would not submit to Nebuchadnezzar, nor surrender to him when he laid siege to Jerusalem, and this would cost him his life and the lives of his sons.

The Lord Jesus also calls us to submit to His yoke, but His yoke is easy, and His burden is light.

“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.’” (Matthew 11:28–30, NLT)

Let us not be among those who resist the Lord to our own harm. But let us make every effort to receive His yoke and learn from Him. He is willing to guide us if we listen. As two oxen would be yoked together to plow the field, so the Lord wants to be yoked together with us to accomplish His work. The yoke of His Word is not burdensome but brings rest and comfort to our souls, even as we are bearing it.

“Heavenly Father, help us not be deceived by the false messages of this world and of our own flesh. Help us listen carefully to your words. Help us willingly receive the yoke of Christ today. In His name we pray, amen.”