Spouses pulling together as " genuine yokefellows".

" Do Not Become Unevenly Yoked "

A camel and a bull plowing together can look to be very uncomfortable.
The yoke linking them together -- intended for two animals of simular size and strength-- make both beasts suffer.
Concerned about the welfare of such draft animals, God told the Israelites: " You must not plow with a bull and an donkey together."
{Deuteronomy 22:10}

The same principle would apply to a bull and a camel.
Normally, a farmer would not impose such a hardship on his animals.
But if he did not have two bulls, he might yoke together two animals he had available.
But because of the difference in their size and weight, the weaker animal would have to struggle to keep up the pace,
and the stronger would have a great burden to bear.
The apostle Paul used the illustration of an uneven yokeing to teach us an important lesson.
" Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers, " he wrote.
" For what fellowship do righteousness and lawlessness have?
Or what shareing does light have with darkness? "
{2 Corinthians 6:14}.
How could a Christian become unevenly yoked?

One way would be if a Christian chose a marriage mate who did not share his or her beliefs.
Such a union would prove uncomfortable for both parties, the couple disagreeing on fundamental issues.
When Jehovah originated marriage, he gave the wife the role of " a complement," or " counterpart."
{ Genesis 2:18,footnote}
Likewise, through the prophet Malachi, God referred to a wife as a " partner" { Malachi 2:14}
Our Creator wants married couples to pull together in the same spiritual direction, shareing the burdens and reaping the benefits equitably.

By marrying " only in the Lord," a Christian shows respect for our heavenly Father's counsel.
{1 Corinthians 7:39}
This lays a foundation for a united marriage, which can bring praise and honor to God as both spouses serve him as
' genuine yokefellows' in a special sense-- Philippians 4:3.