The Book Of Lamentations – Part 19 – Bear The Yoke In Youth And If Need Be, Bow Down In Acceptance And Submission. There Is Always Hope - Chapter 3:27-29 Series

THE BOOK OF LAMENTATIONS – PART 19 – BEAR THE YOKE IN YOUTH AND IF NEED BE, BOW DOWN IN ACCEPTANCE AND SUBMISSION. THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE - CHAPTER 3:27-29

In the last two messages we wrapped our thoughts around some of the loveliest verses in the bible that spoke about the kindness and compassion of the Lord. We saw the importance of waiting on the Lord and seeking Him. Waiting on the Lord was to wait silently on the Lord.

The Lord is our portion and our hope is in Him. He is our righteousness. All those verses in that small area are such a delight, but they are sitting in the midst of the greatest suffering Judah had ever had to that point in time. It is not easy to apply these positive and assuring facts when death is all around and the misery is indescribable. If you have not read the previous two messages, please do so.

PART [25]. BEAR THE YOKE IN YOUR YOUTH (IF YOU ARE THAT AGE)

{{Lamentations 3:27 “It is good for a man that he should BEAR THE YOKE in his youth.”}}

Remember we are in the practical instructions associated with waiting and seeking the God who is good, found in verses 26-30. We might well ask, “What does it mean to bear the yoke in his youth?” I rarely study commentaries when writing and preparing messages. I rely on what the Lord gives, rather than to be influenced by others. However in some matters there are things I want to check and in this case I needed some background and opinion, so I did resort to some commentaries. Here is the explanation of this verse on BibleHub:-

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

“in his youth - in the time when his passions are strongest and therefore most need the discipline, which, if established in its seat then, will hold sway throughout his life.”

The Pulpit Commentary

“In his youth. The thought of this verse reminds us of Psalm 119:71. Youth is mentioned as the time when it is easier to adapt one's self to circumstances, and when discipline is most readily accepted.”

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

“Hence it is also good for man to bear a yoke in youth that he may exercise himself in calm waiting on the help of the Lord. In the present context, the yoke is that of sufferings, and the time of youth is mentioned as the time of freshness and vigour, which render the bearing of burdens easier. He who has learned in youth to bear sufferings, will not sink into despair should they come on him in old age.”

Matthew Poole's Commentary

“Yoke, (because indeed it is so to flesh and blood,) Matthew 11:29. It is not so easy to bend a neck stiffened with age, or change a heart made hard by custom. Solomon bids us to train up one in their youth in the way we would have them to walk; and whether God will tame us when young by his word or by his rod, it is of advantage to a man.”

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The yoke - Or, a "yoke." By bearing a yoke in his youth, i.e. being called upon to suffer in early age, a man learns betimes the lesson of silent endurance, and so finds it more easy to be calm and patient in later years.”

PART [26]. BEAR UP UNDER THE LOAD GOD GIVES YOU

{{Lamentations 3:28 “Let him sit alone and be silent since He has laid it on him.”}}

This verse links with the previous verse 27 about bearing the yoke. Those given the yoke by the Lord must sit alone (meaning not in mirth or carelessness, but soberly) and carefully consider what the Lord’s hand means. It is your burden, your yoke, so bear it alone. I know this verse appears to contradict this one – {{Galatians 6:2 “Bear one another’s burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ.”}} But that is followed by {{Galatians 6:5 “for each one shall bear his own load.”}}

Because the Lord has given this burden then we must not complain, but be silent and endure under the hand of God. In a sense, suffering by one of God’s children brings glory to the Father in heaven. We must be wise here and discern if God has allowed the suffering to come on us, or if we brought it upon ourselves. I know this is a tricky one in the permissive will of God. I have not always been able to work that out.

Even if we brought this yoke on our own necks by sin or some other reason, then it is also true that God will not abandon one of His own redeemed souls, and we must repent, not complain, be silent, and seek the restoration of God. 1 John 1:9-10 truly applies.