Topical Bible: Patience: To be Exercised: Bearing the Yoke

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Topical Encyclopedia

Patience is a virtue highly esteemed in the Christian faith, often associated with enduring trials and tribulations with a steadfast spirit. The concept of "bearing the yoke" is a metaphorical expression found in the Bible, symbolizing the acceptance and endurance of life's burdens and responsibilities with patience and humility.

Biblical Context

The imagery of the yoke is prevalent throughout Scripture, often representing submission, service, and the trials one must endure. In the Old Testament, the yoke is frequently used to describe the burdens placed upon the people of Israel, whether through oppression or divine discipline. In the New Testament, Jesus speaks of His yoke as being easy and His burden light, inviting believers to find rest in Him.

Lamentations 3:27

"It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young."

This verse from Lamentations highlights the value of learning patience and endurance early in life. Bearing the yoke in one's youth is seen as a formative experience, teaching individuals to rely on God's strength and wisdom. The yoke here symbolizes life's challenges, which, when faced with patience, can lead to spiritual growth and maturity.

Matthew 11:29-30

"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."

In this passage, Jesus invites His followers to take on His yoke, contrasting it with the heavy burdens imposed by the world and religious legalism. The call to learn from Christ emphasizes the importance of patience in discipleship. By bearing His yoke, believers are assured of His gentle guidance and the promise of rest, underscoring the transformative power of patience in the Christian life.

Galatians 5:22

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,"

Patience is listed as a fruit of the Spirit, indicating that it is a divine attribute cultivated within believers through the Holy Spirit. Bearing the yoke with patience is not merely a human endeavor but a spiritual exercise that reflects the character of Christ. It is through the Spirit's work that Christians can endure hardships with grace and perseverance.

James 5:7-8

"Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient for it until it receives the early and late rains. You too, be patient and strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near."

James encourages believers to exercise patience in anticipation of the Lord's return. The analogy of the farmer waiting for the harvest illustrates the necessity of patience in the face of uncertainty and delay. Bearing the yoke with patience involves trusting in God's timing and purposes, even when immediate results are not visible.

Practical Application

In the Christian life, bearing the yoke with patience involves a willingness to submit to God's will, trusting in His sovereignty and goodness. It requires a steadfast heart, ready to endure trials and challenges with faith and hope. By exercising patience, believers demonstrate their reliance on God's promises and their commitment to following Christ's example of humility and endurance.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Lamentations 3:27
It is good for a man that he bear the yoke of his youth.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Of Bearing the Cross --One Branch of Self-Denial.
... OF BEARING THE CROSS"ONE BRANCH OF SELF-DENIAL ... Hence we see that all are not exercised
with the same ... And yet the exhortation to patience is not to be founded ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 8 of bearing the.htm

Of Bearing the Cross --One Branch of Self-Denial.
... Hence we see that all are not exercised with the ... Hence Christian exhortations to
patience are of this nature ... In bearing them patiently we are not submitting to ...
/.../sergieff/on the christian life/chapter iii of bearing the.htm

Letter cxxx. (AD 412. )
... in order that by prayer there may be exercised in us ... is said to us: "Be ye enlarged,
not bearing the yoke ... of pride, or to prove and exercise patience, for which ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter cxxx a d 412.htm

Sermons on Selected Lessons of the Gospels.
sermons on selected lessons of the new testament. <. ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of.htm

The Greatness of the Soul,
... which is principal, is called man, that bearing the denomination ... doth exercise itself,
or rather is exercised by the ... will be no such grace as patience in hell ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the greatness of the soul.htm

From the Death of Bishop Asbury to the Close of the General ...
... reproaches were borne with as much patience as possible ... they had and still have a
bearing upon our ... considerable wealth, and, since he had exercised the office ...
/.../chapter 3 from the death.htm

The Resurrection of Christ; his Last Interview with his Disciples ...
... Providence has, in all ages, exercised a particular ... noble examples of faith, charity,
patience, and zeal ... sceptre of universal government, and bearing his people ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture i the resurrection of.htm

Letter cxxxvii. (AD 412. )
... and prosperity, they watchfully practise patience and self ... is plain, but also to
be exercised by the ... Him, in adversity patiently and bravely bearing the trials ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter cxxxvii a d 412.htm

Treatise on Christ and Antichrist.
... men; a man smitten and familiar with bearing infirmity, (for ... And the words, "he
exercised all the power of the ... Here the faith and the patience of the saints ...
/.../treatise on christ and antichrist.htm

Paul's Epistles; his Collection for the Poor Saints at Jerusalem ...
... defections of the religious community now bearing the name ... was most unpopular, for
his auditors lost all patience. ... of cruelty and lust, he exercised the power ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter ix pauls epistles his.htm