For the yoke of their burden, and the rod of their shoulder, and the sceptre of their oppressor thou hast overcome, as in the day of Madian.
כִּ֤י כָל־סְאוֹן֙ סֹאֵ֣ן בְּרַ֔עַשׁ וְשִׂמְלָ֖ה מְגוֹלָלָ֣ה בְדָמִ֑ים וְהָיְתָ֥ה לִשְׂרֵפָ֖ה מַאֲכֹ֥לֶת אֵֽשׁ׃
6 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Just as the conflict could not be resolved through human strength, the struggle against Satan continues today: previously with urns and torches, and now without either, yet demons are still engaged in fierce combat and are thrown into the fire. You are aware of this struggle, but if you are not, I will explain it to you.
The Lord will disperse the staff of those who suffer, similar to the day experienced by Midian. While humanity was initially free, crafted with divine wisdom in the image of God and, as the apostle Paul indicates, designed for good deeds that were preordained for us to pursue (Eph. 2:10), they were seized against their will by the architect of wickedness. This force led them away from divine love, compelling them into idol worship and subjugating them with the overpowering burden of sin. Those who were afflicted, particularly among the Gentiles, Christ liberated, restoring their freedom. Thus, He proclaims that the burdens upon them will be lifted, and the authority that oppresses them will be broken.
The term 'rod' can denote either a scepter, specifically the sovereignty of Satan, or it may represent the blows inflicted by a scourge. This forces people to submit against their desires through the oppressive power of unclean spirits, led by Satan himself, which commands passions that ensnare the mind and lead the heart astray. They will be able to cast off the fetters of his dominion and the rod that has been a constant burden around their necks, similar to servants enduring the strikes of their master.
This evokes the account found in the book of Judges. In those times, the Israelites abandoned the true God and engaged in unrighteousness, greatly offending their protector by worshiping idols and serving the creations of their own hands. Consequently, they were handed over to the Midianites, who devastated their land—raiding cities and villages, robbing their fields, instilling such terror that the afflicted sought refuge in caves and among impassable cliffs, enduring a prolonged famine with great suffering. Out of compassion for their plight, God saved them through Gideon, who vanquished the Midianites and released Israel from their oppression (Judges, ch. 6, 7). In the same way, the Lord scattered the oppressive staff of the afflicted and freed those who were ensnared, just as He did in the days of Midian; for as He delivered those under harsh rule by removing their oppressors, He similarly redeemed the Gentiles by alleviating their burdens.
This depicts Satan and his demons, who relentlessly demand tribute from people as if collecting a tax; they require sins such as immorality from those accustomed to it, thievery from those who have stolen, and various acts of wrongdoing based on individuals’ inclinations. Hence, the Scriptures depict some as no longer paying heed to the voices of these extortioners (Job 3:18).
The burden imposed on the Gentiles shall be lifted; they have freed themselves from the oppressive weight of sin that held them captive, forcing them to submit with a heavy hand. They have discarded this weight to embrace the apostolic message within their hearts, ensuring that they are no longer enslaved by sin. “The Lord hath scattered the rod of those who are tormented, as in the day that was upon Midian.” The dread oppressor has entered into human existence, striking with a forceful hand and demanding the fulfillment of his desires—this adversary is known to us all. Would you like to understand the anguish of his blows? Consider the one who laments, “My wounds are dead and bent” (Psalm 37:6). The defilement of sores erupts upon those afflicted by this malevolent force.
Envision a person consumed by various desires, thoroughly devoted to indulging in pleasures—there lies a striking similarity between one who suffers from the blows of the rod and one ensnared by sin! The burning desires continue to lash and afflict the unyielding soul until they leave behind a spiritual corruption that, upon recalling immoral acts, emits a foul odor. This rod “scattered,” just as it did with the rule and power of the Midianites, as recorded in the histories of both Numbers and Judges. In Numbers, it is noted that “And they shall fight against Midian, as the Lord commanded Moses, and shall slay all the males of Midian: and the kings of Midian shall be slain together with their plagues” (Numbers 31:7-8). In Judges, we read: “Gideon returned to the army of Israel, and said, ‘Arise, for the Lord has delivered into our hands the army of Midian’” (Judges 7:15).
Zané razas yarem lie upon them. The kingdom of Israel was shattered, seeking to oppress the Jewish people. This occurred as in the day that was upon Midian, meaning the Israelites were annihilated in a manner similar to how the Midianites faced destruction at the hands of Gideon (Judges 7:15).
But You, O Savior Lord, take upon Yourself the weight of his sorrow; You, O Lord Savior, have lifted from their hearts this burden and the rod with which they were struck, freeing them so that they might serve You. You have liberated them without the aid of soldiers and without the spilling of blood, delivering them with a sudden act, akin to how You once granted victory to the people of Israel over the Midianites during the time of Gideon.
The joy experienced by those to be enlightened by Christ’s light will be significantly amplified by the severity of their circumstances under the oppressive forces of sin and the adversary. This condition is vividly illustrated through the metaphor of slavery: those enslaved in ancient times were among the most wretched of beings, enduring arduous toil and treated no better than beasts of burden, suffering beneath the oppressive yoke that weighed heavily upon them and the harsh strikes they received from their cruel masters. It is this yoke and these blows that the Lord promises to shatter, granting freedom to all who place their faith in Christ, thereby echoing the victory of Gideon over the Midianites, who had long subdued the Israelites.
This triumph was achieved by a few, albeit unarmed, soldiers against a multitude of foes. In a similar manner, Christ, through His small band of servants—the Apostles—will conquer the realm of darkness, delivering souls from its grip, not with physical weaponry, but solely through the transformative power of the Gospel.
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS