Breaking Yokes and Bursting Bonds Nahum 1:13

As Nahum continued to share about God's judgment of Nineveh, he declared how the LORD would continued affliction against the people no more. This can mean that Nineveh will not exist to be afflicted or it can mean that Israel whom they have “afflicted” will never face their “affliction” again. In chapter one and verse thirteen of his prophesy, Nahum shares how the LORD will “break” the “yokes” and “burst” the “bonds” from those who were oppressed. We read:

For now will I break his yoke from off you, and will burst your bonds in sunder.

The verse begins, “For now will I break his yoke from off you,...” Nahum began with the words, “For now will I break” which is one Hebrew word “shabar” and means “rend violently, wreck, crush and quench” “his yoke” which refers to “shaking, wavering, pole, tottering and pole bar” “from off you” or “to pull, tear or draw off, away or apart”. The LORD would easily and “violently crush and wreck” any “yoke” that was put upon His people.

The verse continues, “...and will burst your bonds in sunder.” Nahum added, “and will burst” which means “to pull, tear or draw off, away or apart” “your bonds” or “bands, restraints, halters and chastisement” “in sunder” which means “to pull, tear or draw off, away or apart”. Not only would the LORD deliver His people from their “yokes”, but He would also “tear apart” any restrictions that were put upon them.

When we meditate upon these words of Nahum, we see once again the power and grace of the LORD. God easily alters any “bondages” that come against His people, and He is able to “burst” bindings and “restraints” that are put upon them. Jesus Christ came into the world to release people from the “yokes” and “bonds” that are put them. Jesus said, “Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30) Let all who read these words allow the LORD Jesus to “break” every “yoke” and “burst” every “bond” they bear.

Next time Nahum shares how the LORD will “cut off the graven image and the molten image”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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