Jeremiah 27 reminds me of two kinds of burdens. One is the kind someone forces onto you and the other is the kind you willing take from someone else. It is amazing how much more two can carry together than one individual alone. We have the ability to choose who we will partner with to help share the load. I am reminded that 2 Corinthians 6:14 seems to carry an important warning, “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers”. I believe it refers to marriage and business and finance, and makes it clear that without agreement, the two will often pull against each other. But what about the times when burdens are forced onto us? The chapter begins with a picture. “This word came to Jeremiah from the Lord… Make a yoke out of straps and crossbars and put it on your neck”. This might resemble a harness used by animals to pull a plow. And God gave the explanation, “Now I will give all your countries into the hands of My servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon… All nations will serve him and his son and his grandson”. But He adds an important detail, “…until the time for his land comes”. This was going to be a temporary situation and God established the end before the beginning. The nations did not have to earn their freedom, God set the time of completion.
Notice that God will enforce His decision. “If… any nation or kingdom will not serve Nebuchadnezzar… I will punish that nation with the sword, famine and plague”. Naturally there are those that try to undermine God’s written and spoken Word. “Do not listen to your prophets” that say anything else, “They prophesy lies”.He reminds them it is His plan and it is only for a time. Every nation that “will bow its neck under the yoke… of Babylon… I will let that nation remain”. Three times He repeats His promise, “Serve the king of Babylon, and you will live”. There was no half-way option; partial obedience met the same fate as complete disobedience. Are you resisting God’s instruction?
The chapter closes with a reminder that shortcuts look so good when we are weighed down, but they often do not deliver what we hope. Jeremiah warns not to listen to those that promise, “Very soon now the articles from the Lord’s house will be brought back from Babylon”. They were ignoring God’s Word by saying you don’t really have to endure any discomfort. You deserve better. You should be happy, follow your own desire. Put yourself first. Those kinds of friends promise much, but usually end up leaving you with even more weight to carry. Jeremiah explains that even the less significant and less expensive items “that are left in the house of the Lord… will be taken to Babylon”. Every small detail of God’s plan has a purpose. The chapter ends with a wonderful promise of hope from God, “they will remain until the day I come for them… Then I will bring them back and restore them to this place”. I believe this chapter speaks to us about the Law of Moses. The law was fulfilled, the atonement sacrifices ceased and the Temple was destroyed when Jesus was crucified. Jesus said “The teachers of the law… tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger” (Matthew 23:2-4). He declared, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:30). Followers of Christ are instructed to “Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). Friend, you are not meant to carry the burden alone. Both rest and restoration are found in Jesus Christ. Is it time for your completion?