Pentecost and the Yoke of Instruction

The Jewish feast of Pentecost begins on sundown May 21^st and ends at nightfall May 23^rd. The Christian celebration of Pentecost is Sunday, May 24^th. The Jewish feast celebrates the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai. The Christian celebration commemorates the giving of the Holy Spirit as recorded in the second chapter of the book of Acts. Interestingly, many early Christians saw the giving of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost as a second Sinai, tying the two events together.

Jesus told His disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they would be empowered by the Holy Spirit to be His witnesses in Judea, Samaria, and in all the earth. The Holy Spirit would enable them to carry out their commission to preach the gospel unto salvation and to make disciples of the nations, teaching them to observe all that Jesus commanded (Matt. 28:18–20, Mark 16:16–20, Acts 1:8). Whereas the nations had previously rejected God’s Law, now they would have the opportunity to hear and be taught the words of Jesus Christ, becoming His disciples.

At this point, Psalm 2 becomes significant. Judeo-Christian values have been the cornerstone of prosperous Western societies. Countries that have rejected God’s ways have mostly declined with their rulers governing through suppression and enriching themselves through illicit means. Countries, political parties, and movements associated with Communism, Socialism, Atheism, Islam, and Secular Humanism have led the charge against the biblical teachings and values that cause God’s blessing to rest upon peoples and nations. Psalm 2 describes this.

Why do nations assemble, and peoples plot vain things; kings of the earth take their stand, and regents intrigue together against the one anointed by GOD [saying]: “Let us break the cords of their yoke, shake off their ropes from us!”  (Ps. 2:1–3 JPS).

In another translation, the leaders of these various world movements say, “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us” (Ps. 2:3 ESV). According to Jewish teachers and Christian commentators, this statement refers to the leaders refusing the authoritative teaching of God’s Anointed, the Messiah (i.e., refusing the teaching that would bind them to following in His righteous ways). In the past, the nations refused the yoke of Torah, and today many refuse the yoke of Jesus Christ. Remember, Jesus invites all peoples, saying, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from me. . .” (Matt. 11:29). The yoke we take on ourselves is the yoke of being His disciples and learning from Him.

What are some of the things that the nations are refusing today? God’s instruction regarding marriage and sexuality; the 10 commandments and the rule of law based on Judeo-Christian values; and Jesus’ commands summarized as loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loving our neighbor as ourselves. By refusing Jesus’ authoritative teaching, they refuse His lordship to rule over them as God’s anointed. But God does not give up. He warns them, saying:

So now, O kings, be prudent; accept discipline, you rulers of the earth! Serve GOD in awe; tremble with fright, pay homage in good faith, lest [God] be angered, and your way be doomed in the mere flash of divine anger. Happy are all who take refuge in [God]! (Ps. 2:10–12 JPS).

Verse 10 tells the rulers of the earth to accept discipline. In other words, to take on the yoke of God’s instruction. This is where God blesses a people and a nation.

Immediately after the day of Pentecost, those who believed in Jesus continually gathered as they devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to fellowship and prayer. Then when the early apostles encountered resistance from the international and national rulers of their day, they rehearsed the words of Psalm 2 as they prayed for boldness to continue speaking and teaching in the name of Jesus. God answered and they were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the Word of God boldly with signs following. They went into Judea, Samaria, and all the earth, bringing the light of salvation as they taught the people to observe all that the Lord had commanded them.

As a final thought, God is not limited when kings and rulers refuse God’s instruction. Despite their efforts, the Lord declares that His people will make disciples of the nations and that the knowledge of the Lord will cover the earth as the waters cover the seas (Isa. 11:9, Hab. 2:14, Matt. 28:19).