Why was the Law like a yoke or millstone around people's throat?
The Law was a yoke and millstone because of its heavy demands and man’s inability to keep it, and it had nothing to help him do so. Its severity brought death for violations, condemning lawbreakers as sinners and revealing why salvation was needed.
Les explains that Peter himself admitted the Law was a yoke, like a millstone around people’s throat, because of its heavy demand, man’s inability to keep it, and the fact that it offered nothing to help him obey. Les says the Law was severe: gathering sticks on the Sabbath or being caught in immorality brought death, not a light penalty. Yet this severity serves a purpose. Being set free from the Law through the work of the cross, no one would realize why salvation was needed without the Law. The Law condemns, showing people they are lost; it declares them guilty, and since all have broken the Ten Commandments, they are lawbreakers and sinners.