Old Yokes

Saturday, January 20, 2024

Good morning, Lord

Verse of the Day:   Matthew 7:12

Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Memory verse: Romans 8:32 ►He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

Today's reading: GENESIS 49-50 MATTHEW 13:31-58

Old Yokes

How long have you held on to something bad that someone did against you?

In chapter 27 of Genesis, we read how Jacob tricked his brother Esau out of his birthright as firstborn and then lied and tricked his father Issac into blessing him as oldest son instead of Esau. Esau had a lot to hold against Jacob-it was a great deal in Jewish tradition.

In fear, Jacob ran away and stayed gone 20 years as he worked for 2 wives and his wealth and family. When he finally started back home, he was consumed with guilt and fear. He just knew his brother Esau would try to kill him for his deceit.

The part that Jacob did not know was the blessing Isaac had given Esau.

Genesis 27: 40 You will live by your sword,

    and you will serve your brother.

But when you decide to break free,

    you will shake his yoke from your neck.”

In chapter 33 we find Esau had discovered that life was too short to be consumed by hate and anger for his brother and realized his father's blessing and had 'shaken Jacob's Yoke from his neck'-he had forgiven and moved on.

Are you carrying a yoke of a grudge? It may be years and years old. Consider what Esau heard his father Isaac say, "...when you decide to break free, you will be able to 'shake it off'..."

In any case, if you carry hurt from a wrong suffered at the hands of someone, carry it no longer-cast it away. You carry it by choice. You don't have to do it any longer. Jesus came to set the captives free.

It is for freedom we have been set free.

...because He loves us...

Father in Heaven,

Forgive me for carrying ill feelings for others. It has been so heavy for too long. Teach me to let go and never pick it up again.

Most forgiving Father and friend,

In the name of Jesus,

Amen