Make the Way Straight

What is the "yoke" Kepha spoke about in Acts 15?

Updated 01/17/6987* [5766] 1st day of the week [04/16/06] 

Updated 01/22/6988* [5767] 4th day of the week [04/11/07]

Updated 03/05/6993* [5772] 1st day of the week/Shabua/Bikkur [05/27/12] 

Updated 12/26/7002* [5782] 7th day of the week/Shabbat [02/26/22]

To understand the Renewed Covenant you MUST understand the Old Covenant. You also must understand that the Word of YaHVeH must be rightly divided. There is division or stages that have been laid out by our FATHER in shamayim through His Ben Yahvshua/Yahshua Messiyah for HIS plan of salvation for mankind.

This study is on the "yoke" that was placed on the children of Yisrael. What  the "many"/Christians don't understand is that the "yoke" was not always part of the Old Covenant. I trust through this study you can see and understand when the "yoke" was added and why there seems to be so much confusion on this subject:

Acts: 15:10: Now therefore why tempt you all YaHVeH, to put a yoke on the neck of the followers, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

How does the dictionary define "yoke"?

From Easton's Bible Dictionary:

Topics: Yoke

Text: 

(1.) Fitted on the neck of oxen for the purpose of binding to them the traces by which they might draw the plough, etc. (Num. 19:2; Deut. 21:3). It was a curved piece of wood called 'ol.

(2.) In Jer. 27:2; 28:10, 12 the word in the Authorized Version rendered "yoke" is motah, which properly means a "staff," or as in the Revised Version, "bar." These words in the Hebrew are both used figuratively of severe bondage, or affliction, or subjection (Lev. 26:13; 1 Kings 12:4; Isa. 47:6; Lam. 1:14; 3: 27). In the New Testament the word "yoke" is also used to denote servitude (Matt. 11:29, 30; Acts 15:10; Gal. 5:1).

(3.) In 1 Sam. 11:7, 1 Kings 19:21, Job 1:3 the word thus translated is tzemed, which signifies a pair, two oxen yoked or coupled together, and hence in 1 Sam. 14:14 it represents as much land as a yoke of oxen could plough in a day, like the Latin jugum. In Isa. 5:10 this word in the plural is translated "acres."

From Strong's Greek Concordance:

Strong's Number: 2218

Transliterated: zugos

Phonetic: dzoo-gos'

Text:  from the root of zeugnumi (to join, especially by a "yoke"); a coupling, i.e. (figuratively) servitude (a law or obligation); also (literally) the beam of the balance (as connecting the scales): --pair of balances, yoke.

"Many"/Christians (Matthew. 24:5) do not understand what the "yoke" is that Kepha spoke of in Acts chapter 15. I have even spoken to some Christians who have never heard of the term "yoke", and when I mention it they look at me with bewilderment. It is important to understand this so that you can rightly divide the Word of YaHVeH:

2 Timothy: 2:15: Study to show yourself approved to YaHVeH, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.

Was the "yoke" always part of the covenant  YaHVeH (Yahvchanan/Yahn 8:58) made with the children of Yisrael? To find this out we must go to the scriptures where the covenant was given. Read in the scriptures Shemoth/Exodus chapters 19 thru 31 this is were the covenant was given. You can read all the chapters yourself I'm going to point out some important verses that are over looked:

Shemoth/Exodus: 19:5: Now therefore, if you all will obey MY Voice indeed, and keep MY covenant, then you all shall be a peculiar treasure to ME above all people: for all the earth is MINE:
Shemoth: 19:6: And you all shall be to ME a kingdom of koheniym, and a kadosh nation.  These are the words, which you shall speak to the children of Yisrael.

If the children of Yisrael would obey the Eternal's voice and keep HIS covenant, Yisrael would be a "kingdom of koheniym" and a "Kadosh nation" to YaHVeH. This distinction has now been placed on the Body of Yahvshua (Yirmiyah: 4:4; Romans 2:29; 11) , YaHVeH's Called Out/Moed/Ekklesia. You need to remember YaHVeH's Called Out is not the nation of Yisrael/House of Yisrael and House of Yudah, that privilege belongs right now to the Body of Yahvshua (Eph. 5:23). But not only will we have the title of "kohen" but we will also be ?melekiym/kings?. This understanding has been revealed to the Body of Yahvshua in Revelation 1:5-6 and chapter 5:10:

Revelation/Galah Raz/Reveletor of Secrets: 1:5: And from Yahvshua Mashiyach, who is the trustful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. To Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood,
Re: 1:6: And has made us melekiym and koheniym to YaHVeH and His FATHER; to Him be splendor and dominion for ever and ever. Amein.

Revelation/Galah Raz/Reveletor of Secrets: 5:10: And have made us to our EL melekiym and koheniym: and we shall reign on the earth.

From E-sword Strong's Hebrew & Greek Concordance:

Topic Priest:

G2409

????????

hiereus

hee-er-yooce'

From G2413; a priest (literally or figuratively): - (high) priest.

H3548

????

ko?he?n

ko-hane'

Active participle of H3547; literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman): - chief ruler, X own, priest, prince, principal officer.

Topic king:

G935

?????????

basileus

bas-il-yooce'

Probably from G939 (through the notion of a foundation of power); a sovereign (abstractly, relatively or figuratively): - king.

H4428

???

melek

meh'-lek

From H4427; a king: - king, royal.

Do not overlook or take these promises lightly! Remember also in Shemoth/Exodus the context of when this is said. It was just before the 10 commandments were spoken, then written on the tablets of stone, written with the ?finger of Elohiym? (Shemoth: 31:18). So far the ?yoke? has not been placed on Yisrael.

Shemoth/Exodus: 19:7: And Mosheh came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which YaHVeH commanded him.
Shemoth: 19:8: And all the people answered together, and said, All that YaHVeH has spoken we will do.  And Mosheh returned the words of the people to YaHVeH.

The people all agreed to do what the Word of YaHVeH tells them to do. But the people have not heard or seen the commandments. But they agreed to do them before they were even spoken or written out.

Mosheh had to prepare the people for the presences of the Word of YaHVeH. The people had to wash up and the men could not have sex with their wives and they could not touch the border of Mount Sinai or they would be killed (verses 9-15). Verse 13 you need to pay close attention to, because this verse pictures YaHVeH's Called Out and their ascension into the clouds to meet Yahvshua Mashiyach in the air at His return:

Shemoth/Exodus: 19:13: There shall not a hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live: when the trumpet sounds long, they shall come up to the mount.

1 Thessalonians: 4:16: For the Rabbi Himself shall descend from shameh with a shout, with the voice of the arch-malak, and with the trump of YaHVeH: and the dead in Mashiyach shall rise first:

So far no "yoke" has been placed on the children of Yisrael:

Shemoth: 19:16: And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.

The giving of the Ruach Law/Torah at Mount Sinai foreshadowed or represented the 2^nd coming of Yahvshua Mashiyach:

Revelation/Galah Raz/Reveletor of Secrets: 11:19: And the Heykal of YaHVeH was opened in Shamayim, and there was seen in HIS Heykal the ark of HIS covenant: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.

From what it appears in the last few verses of Shemoth 19 Mosheh had to go back down the mountain to warn the people not to get to close. Evidently the Eternal knew that some of the people did not properly fear HIM. Then Mosheh had to go back up the mountain with His brother Aharon. Then the Word of YaHVeH spoke so that all the people could hear HIM.

So far the "yoke" has not been added.

Now let's move to Chapter 20 of Shemoth.

Chapter 20 is when the Word of YaHVeH gave HIS Ruach moral Law/Torah to the Children of Yisrael. These commandments are to be divided into 5 and 5. The first five show us how to love and worship YaHVeH. The last five show us how to love our neighbor. This is how the commandments should be divided. You should count the first five on your right hand and the last five on your left. Another point needs to be mentioned right here, Mosheh did not give the Ruach Law it was the Word of YaHVeH HIMSELF who later became Yahvshua Mashiyach (Yahn 8:58):

Shemoth: 20:1: And Elohiym spoke all these words, saying,

1) Shemoth: 20:2: I am YaHVeH  your Elohiym, which have brought you out of the land of Egypt/Mitsrayim, out of the house of bondage

This is the first commandment. It is very important to remember this because this is the introduction of YaHVeH. The reason it is important to remember is because when ever the "Word of YaHVeH" says this phrase in the KJV "I am the LORD" ("LORD" covers up the name of  ????/Yod Hey Vav Hey YHWH or YHVH) it is to bring into remembrance in your mind the beginning of YaHVeH's commandments and to remember HIS name. I will give you a few examples from the Nebiyiym/Fore-tellers and one from the "New Testament"/Renewed Covenant:

Yeshayah/Isaiah: 48:17: This said YaHVeH, your Redeemer, the Kadosh One of Yisrael; I am YaHVeH your Elohiym which teaches you to profit, which leads you by the way that you should go.

Yirmiyah/Jeremiah: 9:24: But let him that halal/boast, boast in this, that he understands and knows ME, that I am YaHVeH which exercise loving kindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, said YaHVeH.

Yechizkiyah/Ezekiel: 11:12: And you all shall know that I am YaHVeH: for you all have not walked in MY statutes, neither executed MY judgments, but have done after the manners of the heathen/goyiym/nations that are round about you.

Yahvchanan/Yahn: 8:58: Yahvshua said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, Before Abraham was, I am.

2) Shemoth: 20:3: You shall have no other elohiym before ME.

3) Shemoth: 20:4: You shall not make for yourself any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in shameh above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
Shemoth: 20:5: You shall not bow down yourself to them, nor serve them: for I YaHVeH your Elohiym am a jealous/ kanna EL, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation of them that hate ME;
Shemoth: 20:6: And showing kindness to thousands of them that love ME, and keep MY commandments.

Notice verse six: Some Christians have taught in the pass that the Elohiym of the Old Testament was not a loving Creator, we can see plainly from verse six that is not true! YaHVeH wants to be loved. These commandments is The FATHERS wisdom given to us so that we will avoid the pit falls of life, so that we will know and see Satan's evil influence, so that we can rebuke him with YaHVeH's Word. If these commandments don?t show you that we have a loving FATHER that cares for us then you have ruach blindness.

4) Shemoth: 20:7: You shall not take the name of YaHVeH your Elohiym in vain; for YaHVeH will not hold him guiltless that takes HIS name in vain.

Taking YaHVeH's name in vain is not just saying HIS name in a mindless fit of rage or silly conversation, it is also calling on HIS name with no intentions of obeying HIM.

This commandment deals with the Sabbaths V`yakra/Lev. 23:

5) Shemoth: 20:8: Remember the Shabbath day, to keep it kadash.
Shemoth: 20:9: Six days shall you labor, and do all your work:
Shemoth: 20:10: But the seventh day is the Shabbath of YaHVeH your Elohiym: in it you shall not do any work, you, nor your ben, nor your bath, your manservant, nor your maidservant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger that is within your gates:
Shemoth: 20:11: For in six days YaHVeH made shameh and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: that's why YaHVeH prospered the Shabbath day, and kadash it.

This is the commandment that has "many"/Christians (Matthew 24:5) stumbling all over the place. Some Christians like to say that the Shabbath commandment was part of the "yoke" it is not!

We have finished counting on our right hand.

Read article below by clicking on link:

https://www.makethewaystraight.com/21righthandofyahveh.htm

Now let's start counting on our left hand:

6) Shemoth: 20:12: Respect your father and your mother: that your days be long on the land which YaHVeH your Elohiym gives you.

7) Shemoth: 20:13: You shall not murder.

Murder would be the proper translation. We as member of the Body of Yahvshua are not to have hatred in our minds of anyone, which eventually could lead to murdering that person. Yahvshua did not while He was on this earth in the flesh. It will be different when He returns with righteous indignation to judge the world. We should have an attitude of turning the other cheek like Yahvshua did and praying for our enemies. YaHVeH does not desire that anyone should perish. YaHVeH has setup and allowed civil authorities to rule over us. These matters are to be turned over to them. If  YaHVeH desires to spare anyone from the civil death penalty HE can stop it. We are to obey those governing authorities over us, but only if that obedience is not in opposition to YaHVeH's Ruach moral Law and our conscience!

8) Shemoth: 20:14: You shall not commit adultery.

This commandment deals with sexual sin; from homosexuality to bestiality, rape, incest, pedophilia, whore mongering, sensual thoughts...etc.

9) Shemoth: 20:15: You shall not steal.

This commandment deals with cheating people out of their money and or possessions, which includes land and or property...

10) Shemoth: 20:16: You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
Shemoth: 20:17: You shall not covet your neighbor's house, you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is your neighbor's.

This commandment is dealing with your relationship to your neighbor. 

This is how the commandments should be counted, so far no "yoke".

There is something else you must understand about the 10 commandments. They were meant to be a quick reference to YaHVeH's law, statutes and judgments. If you don't understand this you?re going to think the Word of YaHVeH (Yahn: 1:1) left something out. Let me show you what I mean. Let's take the 8^th commandment, this commandment says: ?You shall not commit adultery.? If you look at it in this way then you would think, "O, then it's alright to commit incest, homosexuality, fornication bestiality and so on", we know that it is not alright to do those things in the Body of Yahvshua. Shaul clearly had to deal with a situation in the Body that involved incest; you can read about it in I Corinthians 5. Shaul had no problem dealing with this matter and judging what should be done. Where did Shaul get this idea that incest was a sin? Well, you have to go to V`yakra/Leviticus chapter 18:

V`yakra: 18:8: The nakedness of your father's wife shall you not uncover: it is your father's nakedness.

Now do you understand what the 10 commandments were designed for? The 8^th commandment is dealing with sexual sin. When you look at the 8^th commandment it should bring to your mind that not only you should not commit adultery, but also you should not commit incest, bestiality, fornication and homosexuality..etc. Are you beginning to understand?

This takes us to the 5^th commandment (some call the 4^th), the commandment that deals with the Shabbath. If you take this commandment just as it is written you would think that it is just speaking about the 7^th day weekly Sabbath, but it is not! This commandment includes the Shabbaths that are mentioned in V`yakra chapter 23. I trust my previous explanation on the 8^th commandment helps you understand how YaHVeH revealed this conclusion to me.

Now do you see that the 5^th commandment deals with YaHVeH's Shabbaths not just the weekly 7^th day Sabbath but HIS annual Sabbaths also (Iybriym/Hebrews 4) and the 8^th commandments deals with sexual sin (1 Cor. 5).

Notice in Chapter 20 of Shemoth verse 23 that the Eternal reiterates the 3^rd commandment. YaHVeH already knew what part of the covenant the children of Yisrael was going to break. The Yisraeliym came out of a government (Egypt/Mitsrayim) that was full of idols of silver and gold. This analogy has to do with the manufacturing of material things, which today manufacturing of goods is what this world revolves around for buying, selling and trading:

Shemoth: 20:23: You shall not make with ME elohiym of silver, neither shall you make to you elohiym of gold.

Man has built a society that revolves around products that we have manufactured. We have built these things (idols) and made them so much a part of our lives that we now allow these things to dictate to us how our lives are governed. Let me give you an example: The best example I can give is the development of air conditioning technology or refrigeration. Man has lived for thousands of years without this technology and for thousands of years people lived normal lives. But now, if we lose our electrical power for one day, we think the world is coming to an end, because the A/C will not run (A/C will not run without electricity).  We even have technology now that depends on being cooled by air conditioning. Do you know what that technology is? It's computers! Computers will not function properly at certain temperatures. They even have to have a certain amount of humidity, if not static electricity can short out the circuitry. Can you believe it?! We have to focus our attention on this thing; something made with the hand of man (computers) or our lives, our civilization (we think) will collapse! We have done it to ourselves! I know, I'm in the HVAC trade and see these attitudes of people; and you can believe the day I refuse to work on the Shabbath because a person is to hot or worse yet a computer is to hot because the A/C is not working I will be fired, if it is the FATHERS will, so be it. FATHER I ask you to help us to stand firmly on your foundation the "Rock" of our salvation Yahvshua Mashiyach, which is YOUR Word to keep your commandments.

The sacrificial laws were not part of the "yoke". They represented the "Lamb of YaHVeH" Yahvshua Mashiyach (Yahn 1:29) until He came in the flesh to die for us:

Shemoth: 20:24: An altar of earth you shall make to ME, and shall sacrifice on it your burnt offerings, and your shelem offerings, your sheep, and your oxen: in all places where I record MY name I will come to you, and I will prosper you.
Shemoth: 20:25: And if you will make ME an altar of stone, you shall not build it of hewn stone: for if you lift up your tool on it, you have polluted it.

There is something very significant about verse 25 you need to notice. The Word of YaHVeH said to use unhewn/uncarved stones, not ones that man had to shape with tools, meaning, using a lot of manufacturing. YaHVeH knew that when man wants to worship an elohiym/a man/an idol that he will go to any lengths to build that altar or temple. I think it is important to make note of this because the House of Yudah, which occupies parts of the Promised Land today, along with the help of the House of Yisrael, which is steeped in Christian Baal/lord Sun god worship, is going to do exactly that, even if it is going to cause World War III (Yirmiyah: 7:4). We know from Yahvshua that our bodies (I Cor. 6:19) are YaHVeH's  Heykal and we are being built into that Heykal (Eph 2:21). We also know that Yahvshua is in the midst wherever two or three is gathered in His name Matthew: 18:20.

Shemoth: 20:26: Neither shall you go up by steps to MY altar, that your nakedness be not discovered on it.

Now let's look at Shemoth chapter 21- 23. These chapters deal with the structure of society, a civil nation. The Body of Yahvshua is not a civil government. We are sojourners on this earth waiting for the complete promises of YaHVeH like Abraham was (Iybriyiym/Hebrews 11). We are under the civil authorities of this earth as long as it does not go against YaHVeH's Ruach Law of love. Now that Yahvshua Mashiyach has come He has shown us another way to live by these judgments. If you read the "New Testament"/Renewed Covenant (4 Witnesses the "many" call "gospels") you can easily find them. I will take one example that is most referred to from the "Old Testament" today and show you how Yahvshua taught us to deal with it. It is found in Shemoth 21: 24: This is just one example, there are many more examples Yahvshua Mashiyach showed how to deal with these situations from the "Old Testament" in the "New Testament":

Shemoth: 21:24: Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,

We know now that in ancient times this was a more compassionate way of dealing with a situation. It used to be before this that the punishment did not fit the crime. People were being killed or executed for something that was an accident. It was not intentional at all. But if it was intentional YaHVeH at this time for the structure of the civil government said this is what you're going to do. If a person causes another persons foot to be hurt intentionally then the person who hurt the other person's foot was to have his foot hurt. This is what Yahvshua says today on this subject and this is for the Body of Yahvshua:

Mattith`Yah ha Leviy/Matthew: 5:38: You all have heard that it has been said, an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
M't: 5:39: But I say to you, that you resist not evil: but whosoever shall hit you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.
M't: 5:40: And if any man will sue you at the law, and take away your coat, let him have your cloke also.
M't: 5:41: And whosoever shall compel you to go a mile, go with him two.

I know sometimes this is not easy for physical human beings to obey. Our carnality gets in the way, but through the power of YaHVeH's Kodesh Ruach we can overcome.

We now come to Chapter 24. This chapter is important because in this chapter "many"/Christians overlook certain verses that are crucial to the sealing of the "Old Covenant". Once the covenant is sealed in blood it cannot be added to or anything taken away from it:

Shemoth: 24:6: And Mosheh took half of the blood, and put it in basins; and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar.
Shemoth: 24:7: And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that YaHVeH has said will we do, and be obedient.
Shemoth: 24:8: And Mosheh took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which YaHVeH has made with you concerning all these words.

Verses 6 and 8 the covenant was sealed, it could not be added to or anything subtracted from it. This is the covenant the Children of Yisrael agreed to. Remember this; let this sink into your mind, because "many"/Christians overlook this plain fact about the covenant. So far no "yoke" has been added.

Now we will briefly go through Shemoth chapters 25 thru 31:

Chapter 25 deals with building of the ark, cover for the ark/seat, candlestick, show bread and other utensils and vessels. The ark represents our hearts. The ark is where the tablets of stone were placed to signify YaHVeH writing them in our minds (Iybriym/Hebrews 8:10, Yechizkiyah/Ezekiel 11:19; 36:26). The cover/seat signified YaHVeH's kindness HE would show on us through repentance. The candlestick was the light that signified what the commandments do in a dark world of sin and the bread signified the "Word of YaHVeH" the ruach food we eat, which is His commandments through Yahvshua (Yahn 6:35). If you meditate long enough YaHVeH through HIS Kodesh Ruach will reveal what the utensils and other vessels represent:

Shemoth: 25:16: And you shall put into the ark the testimony, which I shall give you.

Shemoth: 25:21: And you shalt put the cover/lid/kapporeth above upon the ark; and in the ark you shall put the testimony that I shall give you.

Shemoth: 25:22: And there I will meet with you, and I will commune with you from above the cover, from between the two cherubim's which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give you in commandment to the children of Yisrael.

Revelation/Galah Raz/Revelator of Secrets: 11:19: And the Heykal of YaHVeH was opened in Shamayim, and there was seen in HIS Heykal the ark of HIS testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.

Also the placing of the stone tablets INSIDE the ark and then covering them reveals that they are ruach/invisible, eternal and you don't have to see them or even know them literally, but they still have an effect on YaHVeH's creation, because they were designed into it when HE created all things (Romans 5:12 - 14). 

Chapter 26 deals with building the tabernacle to shelter the ark and other utensils. The tabernacle signifies our temporary existence in these temporary physical fleshy bodies. So far no "yoke" only representations.

Chapter 27 deals with the building of the altar and the utensil connected with it for animal sacrifices and the outer court of the tabernacle, so far no "yoke" just representation.

Chapter 28 deals with the Leviyiym kohen hood and the garments they must wear and their consecration for kodesh service, so far no "yoke" just representations.

Chapter 29 deals with the consecration of the priest hood, so far no "yoke" only representations.

Chapter 30 deals with building an altar for burning incense, the rich and the poor are to pay money to make an atonement for their lives, the kohen where given special instructions to wash, all the vessels had to be purified, so far no "yoke" only representations.

Chapter 31 deals with the craftsman YaHVeH has given special skill to carry out the building of all the items mentioned:

Shemoth: 31:13: Speak you also to the children of Yisrael, saying, Truly MY Shabbaths you shall keep: for it is a sign between you and ME throughout your generations; that you know that I am YaHVeH that does kadash/purify you.

YaHVeH is speaking about all HIS Shabbaths, the annual and not just the weekly seventh day Shabbath.

Shemoth: 31:18: And HE gave to Mosheh, when HE had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the Finger of Elohiym.

We see from this verse the tables of stone are given to Mosheh. The Tablets of stone represent man's hard heart to receive YaHVeH's commandments (Zecharyah 7:12):

Yechizkiyah/Ezekiel: 11:19: And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new ruach within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:

Yechizkiyah: 36:26: A new heart also will I give you, and a new ruach will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

Shemoth chapter 32 is where all the trouble begins:

Shemoth: 32:1: And when the people saw that Mosheh delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together to Aharon, and said to him, Up, make us elohiym, which shall go before us; for as for this Mosheh, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt/Mitsrayim, we know not what is become of him. 

This point should be made here; Mosheh was not the one who delivered the children of Yisrael out of Egypt, it was the Word of YaHVeH, which is Yahvshua Mashiyach, YaHVeH's Right Hand. This also should be said. Mosheh represented Yahvshua (Gal. 3:24). Going up the Mountain represented the ascension of Yahvshua. Mosheh coming down from the Mountain represents the 2nd coming of Yahvshua. Who will Yahvshua find being about His business when He returns?

Shemoth: 32:7: And YaHVeH said to Mosheh, Go, get you down; for your people, which you brought out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves:

Notice in this verse YaHVeH does not call these people HIS people, He calls them "your people" ("thy" is an old English word for "your"). Also notice that sense the children of Yisrael gave Mosheh the credit for delivering them out of Egypt, The Word of YaHVeH says "which you brought out of the land of Egypt", YaHVeH gives them what they want.

Shemoth: 32:8: They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshiped it, and have sacrificed to it, and said, These be your elohiym, O Yisrael, which have brought you up out of the land of Egypt.

The children of Yisrael broke the covenant. They broke the 3^rd commandment, the covenant was now void, and it was worthless:

Shemoth: 32:9: And YaHVeH said to Mosheh, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiff-necked people:

What is the Word of YaHVeH to do now that the people broke the marriage contract?

Shemoth: 32:10: Now therefore let ME alone, that MY wrath wax hot against them, and that I consume them: and I will make of you a great nation.

The Word of YaHVeH was going to destroy them and finish what He started with Mosheh! But Mosheh being a humble man, a compassionate man, what does Mosheh do? Remember Mosheh is a representation of Yahvshua Mashiyach:

Shemoth: 32:11: And Mosheh besought YaHVeH his Elohiym, and said, YaHVeH, why does YOUR wrath wax hot against YOUR people, which YOU have brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great Power, and with a Mighty Hand?

Notice Mosheh gives YaHVeH the proper credit/esteem that HE deserves for bringing the children of Yisrael out of Egypt.

Shemoth: 32:12: Why should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did HE bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth?  Turn from YOUR fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against YOUR people.

Shemoth: 32:13: Remember Abraham, Yitschak, and Yisrael, YOUR servants, to whom YOU swore by YOUR OWN SELF, and said to them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of shamayim, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give to your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever.

Mosheh was looking out for YaHVeH's name and reputation. Mosheh was concerned what the surrounding gentile nations would say about his Elohiym. Notice in verse 11 Mosheh makes sure he gives YaHVeH the credit by calling them "YOUR people" and giving credit to YaHVeH for bringing the children of Yisrael of out of the land of Egypt.

What did the Word of YaHVeH do?

Shemoth: 32:14: And YaHVeH repented of the evil, which HE thought to do to HIS people.

YaHVeH showed kindness.

Shemoth: 32:19: And it came to pass, as soon as he came near to the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Mosheh's anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and broke them beneath the mount.

When Mosheh threw the tablets down this signified to the people that they broke the contract. Now Mosheh has to go up the mountain a second time:

Shemoth: 32:30: And it came to pass on the next day, that Mosheh said to the people, you all have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up to YaHVeH; perhaps I shall make atonement for your sin.

Shemoth: 32:31: And Mosheh returned to YaHVeH, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them elohiym of gold.

Mosheh pleads for the people:

Shemoth: 32:32: Yet now, if YOU will forgive their sin; and if not, blot me; I ask YOU, out of YOUR book which YOU have written.

This is how concerned Mosheh was for the people. Mosheh knew not all of the people partook in this sin, and no doubt YaHVeH was very pleased with Mosheh's heart felt love and concern he had for the people. Mosheh was willing to be blotted out of the "Word of YaHVeH's" book. But YaHVeH was not willing that Mosheh be blotted out of HIS book:

Shemoth: 32:33: And YaHVeH said to Mosheh, Whosoever has sinned against ME, him will I blot out of MY book.

Shemoth: 32:34: Therefore now go, lead the people to the place of which I have spoken to you: behold, MY Malak shall go before you: nevertheless in the day when I visit I will visit their sin on them.

Shemoth: 32:35:  And YaHVeH plagued the people, because they made the calf, which Aharon made.

Now we shall see when the "yoke" was added. Chapter 33 of Shemoth begins the adding of the "yoke":

Shemoth:: 33:1: And YaHVeH said to Mosheh, Depart, and go up here, you and the people which you have brought up out of the land of Egypt, to the land which I swore to Abraham, to Yitschak, and to Ya'akob, saying, to your seed will I give it:

Shemoth: 33:2: And I will send a Malak before you; and I will drive out the Kena'aniy, the Emoriy, and the Chittiy, and the Perizziy, the Chivviy, and the Yebusiy:

Shemoth: 33:3: To a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in the midst of you; for you are a stiff-necked people: unless I consume you in the way.

Did you catch it in verse 3? Now instead of the Word of YaHVeH chasing the children of Yisrael's enemies out of the land (Shemoth: 23: 20-30), the people will have to rely on their own strength. The Word of YaHVeH was going to help them but it was not going to be easy, if they would have obeyed and not broken the contract the Yisraeliym would not have had to lift a finger to enter the Promised Land!

Shemoth: 33:4: And when the people heard these evil tidings, they mourned: and no man did put on him his ornaments.

This next verse is the point of the whole dilemma concerning the law of YaHVeH and the "yoke":

Shemoth:: 33:5: For YaHVeH had said to Mosheh, Say to the children of Yisrael, You are a stiff-necked people: I will come up into the midst of you in a moment, and consume you: therefore now put off  your ornaments from you, that I  know what to do to you.

The Word of YaHVeH was not finished with the children of Yisrael and punishing them due to their sin and breaking the covenant. Notice the phrase "that I know what to do to you"; from this statement we see now where the Eternal is going to add to the covenant because the original covenant HE made with the people was useless. The Lamb of YaHVeH now was going to add rigors ("yoke" Acts 15:10) that were going to be too much for them to carry. This "yoke" was meant to be a burden and punishment for the children of Yisrael breaking the covenant!

Are you beginning to understand? The "yoke" was meant to be a reminder to the children of Yisrael of their sin of breaking the covenant. It was meant to remind them that they needed to be cleansed. It was not meant to last. If the people had not broken the covenant the "yoke" would not have been added (Galatians 3:19). The original covenant starts in Shemoth chapter 19 thru 31.

When the Word of YaHVeH (Yahvshua Mashiyach) came in the flesh He eluded to this "yoke" when He made this statement:

Mattit'Yah ha Leviy/Matthew: 11:30: For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.

Yahvshua came to lift that "yoke" off of His people but the "yoke" did not include YaHVeH's moral and ruach law. YaHVeH's moral and ruach law is condensed into the 10 commandments and includes YaHVeH's Shabbaths. YaHVeH's ruach law shows man how to LOVE!

What needs to be understood is that YaHVeH originally had HIS system of worship setup to represent the sacrifice of HIS only begotten Ben (You could only use those animal's the Word of Yahveh designated for sacrifice). The animal sacrificial laws were given to represent Yahvshua Mashiyach until He came in the flesh to die as the Lamb of YaHVeH. The written law given to Mosheh to give to the children of Yisrael had not been given until Mount Sinai:

Romans: 5:13: (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.

Romans: 5:14: Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Mosheh, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of Him that was to come.

If you notice verse 13 it says "until the law", meaning before the law was given (spoken or in written form) "sin was in the world". Sin was in the world because YaHVeH?s law is ruach, it doesn't matter if you know it or not, if you go against HIS ruach moral law it will have its consequences, which is no shalom, greed and eventually death. Now notice verse 14: "death reigned from Adam to Mosheh". Did you catch it? It says "from Adam to Mosheh". YaHVeH clearly gave a period of time for no law to be written. When I say written I mean written with the "Finger of Elohiym", any other law that was written was written by finger of man:

Shemoth: 31:18: And HE gave to Mosheh, when HE had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the Finger of Elohiym.

Here is what you need to remember:

1)  The representations (animal sacrifices and unleavened bread and so on) and other physical symbolism's have been fulfilled in Yahvshua Mashiyach (Iybriym/Hebrews 9:10). Mashiyach has given new symbols in keeping the Passover: Foot washing (service to one another Yahn 13:5). The drinking a small amount of wine to symbolize His blood shed on the altar (Matthew 26:28) and a piece of unleavened bread to symbolize His sinless broken body given for all our sins (Matthew 26:26; Yahn 6:55-56).

 2)  Yahvshua Mashiyach has lifted the "yoke". The "yoke" was added after the children of Yisrael broke the covenant (Matthew 11:28-30).

 3) The ruach moral law of Yahvshua Mashiyach (the Word of YaHVeH) was not part of the "yoke". The ruach moral law of Yahvshua Mashiyach is condensed into the 10 commandment for quick reference (Shemoth 20). The Commandments can be summed up into two. Summing them up does not do away with them (Matthew 22:36-40). The commandments are to be divided into five and five not four and six. The Shabbaths are part of that moral ruach law. The Shabbath commandment not only includes the weekly 7th day Sabbath but also the annual Sabbaths mentioned in V'yakra/Leviticus 23. The First five you count on your right hand (Shows how to love and worship YaHVeH). The last five you count on your left hand (Shows how to love your neighbor). The stone tablets that the commandments were written on represented the hard heart of man to receive those commandments (Zecharyah 7:12; Romans 8:7).