[:en]SCRIPTURE: JEREMIAH 27
“I gave the same message to Zedekiah king of Judah. I said, “Bow your neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon; serve him and his people, and you will live. Why will you and your people die by the sword, famine and plague with which the Lord has threatened any nation that will not serve the king of Babylon? Do not listen to the words of the prophets who say to you, ‘Your will not serve the king of Babylon,’ for they are prophesying lies to you. I have not sent them’ declares the Lord. ‘They are prophesying lies in my name. Therefore, I will banish you and you will perish, both you and the prophets who prophesy to you” (Jeremiah 27:12-15)
JUDAH TO SERVE NEBUCHADNEZZAR
God told Jeremiah to wear a yoke and put it on his neck. It is to convey God’s message that Judah must surrender to Babylon. The yoke sermon was delivered three times to different audience. First, to the kings of Edom, Moab, Amon, Tyre, Sidon through the envoys who came to Jerusalem. Next, to king Zedekiah and lastly to the priests and people.
God warned them not to listen to the false prophets that were giving the nation false hope of peace. Jeremiah told them to submit to Nebuchadnezzar and they would live. If they rejected, they would die.
God was using Babylon as his instrument to do His will. All nations must submit to him in order to survive. But one day, God will bring them and restore them back to Jerusalem (v. 22)
If we accept the yoke that God has given us, He will transform it from bondage to blessings. His promise to us is “My yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Mat. 11:28-30)[:]