Living the Christian life is compared to running a race. In verse one of this chapter, the writer said,
"...let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with
patience the race that is set before us..."
God wants each of us to be successful in our Christian lives. Therefore, He gives us encouragement. The writer appealed to his readers to consider the witnesses who have lived their lives by faith and to consider Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. He also reminded the Hebrew believers of the assurance of God's love.
In this lesson, the writer pointed them to the grace of God. He appealed to them not to "fail of the
grace of God" (Verse l5) and "have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence
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and godly fear" (Verse 28).
The writer explained the goal of the Christian life in verse 14. "Follows peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord." Follow (Greek—dioko) means to pursue, to seek after. Holiness (Greek—hagiasmos) comes from the same word which is translated sanctification and speaks of being holy, set apart for God, purity. Peace means rest, not at war.
Romans 12:18, "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men." Believers are to pursue, seek after peace with all men and live pure, holy lives. Without doing so, believers will not comprehend the goodness, provision, and works of God, nor will they enjoy the fellowship with the holy God.
To run the race successfully requires diligence lest we "fail of the grace of God" (Verse l5). The term "fail" (Greek—hustereo) means to be last, come behind, to come short of, not to reach, to miss. God's grace does not fail but we can fail to take advantage of His grace and miss the blessing.
In this lesson, the writer encouraged his readers to depend upon the grace of God by urging them to look by faith in three directions: Look Back, Look Up, and Look Ahead.
LOOK BACK TO THE BAD EXAMPLE OF ESAU Verses l4-17.
Hebrews 12:14-17 KJV 14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without
which no man shall see the Lord: 15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the
grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby
many be defiled; 16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who
for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. 17 For ye know how that afterward,
when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place
of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.
Esau failed to act on God's grace. Esau's actions are recorded in Genesis 25:27-34 and Genesis
27:1-46. Esau was a profane person (Verse l6). The term "profane" (Greek—bebelos) means a despiser of sacred or holy things. The term "fornicator" in this context refers to one who is a spiritual fornicator. Esau despised his birthright and sold it to Jacob for one meal. Therefore, he missed the blessing because it was given to Jacob.
Genesis 25:27-34 KJV 27 And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a
man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents. 28 And Isaac
loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob. 29 And
Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint: 30 And Esau
said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint:
therefore was his name called Edom. 31 And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy
birthright. 32 And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit
shall this birthright do to me? 33 And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he
sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob. 34 Then Jacob gave Esau
bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his
way: thus Esau despised his birthright.
Genesis 27:1-46 KJV 1 And it came to pass, that when Isaac was old, and his eyes
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were dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau his eldest son, and said unto
him, My son: and he said unto him, Behold, here am I. 2 And he said, Behold
now, I am old, I know not the day of my death: 3 Now therefore take, I pray thee,
thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and go out to the field, and take me some
venison; 4 And make me savoury meat, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I
may eat; that my soul may bless thee before I die. 5 And Rebekah heard when
Isaac spake to Esau his son. And Esau went to the field to hunt for venison, and
to bring it. 6 And Rebekah spake unto Jacob her son, saying, Behold, I heard thy
father speak unto Esau thy brother, saying, 7 Bring me venison, and make me
savoury meat, that I may eat, and bless thee before the LORD before my death. 8
Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to that which I command thee.
9 Go now to the flock, and fetch me from thence two good kids of the goats; and
I will make them savoury meat for thy father, such as he loveth: 10 And thou
shalt bring it to thy father, that he may eat, and that he may bless thee before his
death. 11 And Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, Behold, Esau my brother is a
hairy man, and I am a smooth man: 12 My father peradventure will feel me, and
I shall seem to him as a deceiver; and I shall bring a curse upon me, and not a
blessing. 13 And his mother said unto him, Upon me be thy curse, my son: only
obey my voice, and go fetch me them. 14 And he went, and fetched, and brought
them to his mother: and his mother made savoury meat, such as his father loved.
15 And Rebekah took goodly raiment of her eldest son Esau, which were with her
in the house, and put them upon Jacob her younger son: 16 And she put the skins
of the kids of the goats upon his hands, and upon the smooth of his neck: 17 And
she gave the savoury meat and the bread, which she had prepared, into the hand
of her son Jacob. 18 And he came unto his father, and said, My father: and he
said, Here am I; who art thou, my son? 19 And Jacob said unto his father, I am
Esau thy firstborn; I have done according as thou badest me: arise, I pray thee,
sit and eat of my venison, that thy soul may bless me. 20 And Isaac said unto his
son, How is it that thou hast found it so quickly, my son? And he said, Because
the LORD thy God brought it to me. 21 And Isaac said unto Jacob, Come near, I
pray thee, that I may feel thee, my son, whether thou be my very son Esau or not.
22 And Jacob went near unto Isaac his father; and he felt him, and said, The
voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau. 23 And he discerned
him not, because his hands were hairy, as his brother Esau's hands: so he blessed
him. 24 And he said, Art thou my very son Esau? And he said, I am. 25 And he
said, Bring it near to me, and I will eat of my son's venison, that my soul may
bless thee. And he brought it near to him, and he did eat: and he brought him
wine, and he drank. 26 And his father Isaac said unto him, Come near now, and
kiss me, my son. 27 And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell
of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son is as the smell
of a field which the LORD hath blessed: 28 Therefore God give thee of the dew
of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine: 29 Let people
serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy
mother's sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one that curseth thee, and
blessed be he that blesseth thee. 30 And it came to pass, as soon as Isaac had
made an end of blessing Jacob, and Jacob was yet scarce gone out from the
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presence of Isaac his father, that Esau his brother came in from his hunting. 31
And he also had made savoury meat, and brought it unto his father, and said
unto his father, Let my father arise, and eat of his son's venison, that thy soul
may bless me. 32 And Isaac his father said unto him, Who art thou? And he said,
I am thy son, thy firstborn Esau. 33 And Isaac trembled very exceedingly, and
said, Who? where is he that hath taken venison, and brought it me, and I have
eaten of all before thou camest, and have blessed him? yea, and he shall be
blessed. 34 And when Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with a great
and exceeding bitter cry, and said unto his father, Bless me, even me also, O my
father. 35 And he said, Thy brother came with subtilty, and hath taken away thy
blessing. 36 And he said, Is not he rightly named Jacob? for he hath supplanted
me these two times: he took away my birthright; and, behold, now he hath taken
away my blessing. And he said, Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me? 37 And
Isaac answered and said unto Esau, Behold, I have made him thy lord, and all
his brethren have I given to him for servants; and with corn and wine have I
sustained him: and what shall I do now unto thee, my son? 38 And Esau said
unto his father, Hast thou but one blessing, my father? bless me, even me also, O
my father. And Esau lifted up his voice, and wept. 39 And Isaac his father
answered and said unto him, Behold, thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the
earth, and of the dew of heaven from above; 40 And by thy sword shalt thou live,
and shalt serve thy brother; and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the
dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck. 41 And Esau hated
Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said
in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my
brother Jacob. 42 And these words of Esau her elder son were told to Rebekah:
and she sent and called Jacob her younger son, and said unto him, Behold, thy
brother Esau, as touching thee, doth comfort himself, purposing to kill thee. 43
Now therefore, my son, obey my voice; and arise, flee thou to Laban my brother
to Haran; 44 And tarry with him a few days, until thy brother's fury turn away;
45 Until thy brother's anger turn away from thee, and he forget that which thou
hast done to him: then I will send, and fetch thee from thence: why should I be
deprived also of you both in one day? 46 And Rebekah said to Isaac, I am weary
of my life because of the daughters of Heth: if Jacob take a wife of the daughters
of Heth, such as these which are of the daughters of the land, what good shall
my life do me?
Esau found no place of repentance (Verse l7). Esau tried to get Isaac to change his mind after the birthright blessing was given to Jacob. But it was too late. Even Esau's tears availed nothing.
Lack of spiritual diligence, bitterness against others (Deuteronomy 29:14-18), sexual immorality, and living for the world and the flesh are sins which will robe us of the enablement of God's grace.
Some people may have the idea that a "profane person" is someone who is blasphemous, filthy talking person. But Esau was a likeable fellow, a good hunter, and a man who loved his dad. He was not interested in the things of God. God's grace does not ever fail us, but we can fail to depend Then our lives will be wasted. The life and choice of Esau are a warning to us not to live for the lesser things.
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LOOK UP TO THE/GLORY OF THE HEAVENLY CITY Verses l8-24
Hebrews 12:18-24 KJV 18 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be
touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and
tempest, 19 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they
that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: 20
(For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a
beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: 21
And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:) 22
But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the
heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23 To the
general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and
to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 And to
Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that
speaketh better things than that of Abel.
The writer contrasted Mt. Sinai and the giving of the Law with the Heavenly Jerusalem and the blessing of grace (Exodus 19:10-25; 20:18-21; Deuteronomy 4:10-24; Hebrews 12:18-21).
Exodus 19:10-25 KJV 10 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people,
and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes, 11 And
be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the
sight of all the people upon mount Sinai. 12 And thou shalt set bounds unto the
people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the
mount, or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely
put to death: 13 There shall not an 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
soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount. 14 And Moses went down from
the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their
clothes. 15 And he said unto the people, Be ready against the third day: come not
at your wives. 16 And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there
were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice
of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp
trembled. 17 And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with
God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount. 18 And mount Sinai was
altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the
smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked
greatly. 19 And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder
and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice. 20 And the LORD
came down upon mount Sinai, on the top of the mount: and the LORD called
Moses up to the top of the mount; and Moses went up. 21 And the LORD said
unto Moses, Go down, charge the people, lest they break through unto the LORD
to gaze, and many of them perish. 22 And let the priests also, which come near to
the LORD, sanctify themselves, lest the LORD break forth upon them. 23 And
Moses said unto the LORD, The people cannot come up to mount Sinai: for thou
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chargedst us, saying, Set bounds about the mount, and sanctify it. 24 And the
LORD said unto him, Away, get thee down, and thou shalt come up, thou, and
Aaron with thee: but let not the priests and the people break through to come up
unto the LORD, lest he break forth upon them. 25 So Moses went down unto the
people, and spake unto them.
Exodus 20:18-21 KJV 18 And all the people saw the thunderings, and the
lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when
the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. 19 And they said unto Moses,
Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.
20 And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and
that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not. 21 And the people stood
afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.
Deuteronomy 4:10-24 KJV 10 Specially the day that thou stoodest before the
LORD thy God in Horeb, when the LORD said unto me, Gather me the people
together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all
the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children.
11 And ye came near and stood under the mountain; and the mountain burned
with fire unto the midst of heaven, with darkness, clouds, and thick darkness. 12
And the LORD spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: ye heard the voice of
the words, but saw no similitude; only ye heard a voice. 13 And he declared unto
you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, even ten
commandments; and he wrote them upon two tables of stone. 14 And the LORD
commanded me at that time to teach you statutes and judgments, that ye might
do them in the land whither ye go over to possess it. 15 Take ye therefore good
heed unto yourselves; for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that the
LORD spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire: 16 Lest ye corrupt
yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the
likeness of male or female, 17 The likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the
likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air, 18 The likeness of any thing that
creepeth on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the waters beneath the
earth: 19 And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the
sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven
to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all
nations under the whole heaven. 20 But the LORD hath taken you, and brought
you forth out of the iron furnace, even out of Egypt, to be unto him a people of
inheritance, as ye are this day. 21 Furthermore the LORD was angry with me for
your sakes, and sware that I should not go over Jordan, and that I should not go
in unto that good land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance:
22 But I must die in this land, I must not go over Jordan: but ye shall go over,
and possess that good land. 23 Take heed unto yourselves, lest ye forget the
covenant of the LORD your God, which he made with you, and make you a
graven image, or the likeness of any thing, which the LORD thy God hath
forbidden thee. 24 For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous
God.
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Hebrews 12:18-21 KJV 18 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be
touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and
tempest, 19 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they
that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: 20
(For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a
beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: 21
And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)
He describes the solemnity and terror that came with the giving of the Law. The mountain was afire and could not be touched. God set boundaries around the mountain, and no one was to cross boundaries under the penalty of death. God had to impress upon His people the seriousness of His Law, just as parents must stress the importance of their rules to their children. This was an infant nation, and children can understand the principle of reward and punishment. If a beast were to touch the mountain while the Law was being given, it was to be stoned or killed with a spear. The people were afraid to hear God's voice. Even Moses feared and trembled (Verses 20b-21). Mt.
Sinai represents the Covenant of Law. The writer was reminding the Hebrew believers that they were not under the Law.
The Hebrew believers as well as all believers are under the covenant of grace (Verses 22-24). The Mount Zion and the city of the living God refer to the heavenly or new Jerusalem. This city is the eternal dwelling place of the Church. The citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem are innumerable angels and the Church or assembly of firstborn ones whose names are written in heaven. When we get to heaven and the church dwells in the new Jerusalem, it will be a joyous occasion. The term
"general assembly" (Greek—paneguris) means an assembly of a whole nation for a public festival, such as the Olympic games, a high festival, a solemn assembly on such festival. In heaven, we will see God, the Judge of all. The penalty for our sin has been paid the Son of God, and we can stand in His presence in the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ. In heaven, there will be the "spirits of just men made perfect." These are Old Testament saints whose salvation has been made complete because Jesus Christ has died as the Lamb of God and took away the sin of the whole world. Believers have approached (come) to Jesus Who is the mediator of the new covenant. His blood has been applied and believers have been cleansed. His blood speaks of "better things than
that of Abel" (Verse 24). Abel's blood cried out for vengeance, but the blood of Jesus Christ speaks of salvation.
Consider Jesus. Look up to Him (Hebrews 12:1-3, 22-24). The writer was trying to get the eyes of the Hebrew believers redirected. Off the temple in Jerusalem. Off a bloody sacrifice. Off a ritual.
And onto the person of Jesus.
Hebrews 12:1-3 KJV 1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so
great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth
so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was
set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right
hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction
of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
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Hebrews 12:22-24 KJV 22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of
the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of
angels, 23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written
in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling,
that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
LOOK AHEAD TO THE UNSHAKEABLE KINGDOM Verses 25-29
Hebrews 12:25-29 KJV 25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they
escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape,
if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: 26 Whose voice then shook
the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth
only, but also heaven. 27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing
of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things
which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom
which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably
with reverence and godly fear: 29 For our God is a consuming fire.
The writer gives the last warning concerning believers' attitudes toward the Word of God. Vs 25-26. Drifting from the Word (Hebrews 2:1-4). (Neglecting the Word) Hebrews 2:1-4 KJV 1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the
things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. 2 For if the
word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience
received a just recompence of reward; 3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so
great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was
confirmed unto us by them that heard him; 4 God also bearing them witness,
both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy
Ghost, according to his own will?
Doubting the Word (Hebrews 3:7-4:13). (Hard heart toward the Word) Hebrews 3:7 - 4:13 KJV 7 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will
hear his voice, 8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of
temptation in the wilderness: 9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and
saw my works forty years. 10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and
said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. 11 So
I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.) 12 Take heed, brethren,
lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living
God. 13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be
hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we are made partakers of
Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; 15 While
it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the
provocation. 16 For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that
came out of Egypt by Moses. 17 But with whom was he grieved forty years? was
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it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? 18 And
to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed
not? 19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. 1 Let us
therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you
should seem to come short of it. 2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well
as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with
faith in them that heard it. 3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he
said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the
works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For he spake in a certain
place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all
his works. 5 And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest. 6 Seeing
therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first
preached entered not in because of unbelief: 7 Again, he limiteth a certain day,
saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear
his voice, harden not your hearts. 8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would
he not afterward have spoken of another day. 9 There remaineth therefore a rest
to the people of God. 10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased
from his own works, as God did from his. 11 Let us labour therefore to enter into
that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. 12 For the word
of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing
even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and
is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 Neither is there any
creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened
unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
Dullness toward the Word (Hebrews 5:11-6:20). (Sluggishness).
Hebrews 5:11 - 6:20 KJV 11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to
be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. 12 For when for the time ye ought to be
teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of
the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong
meat. 13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness:
for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even
those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and
evil. 1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto
perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and
of faith toward God, 2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands,
and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this will we do,
if God permit. 4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and
have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5
And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6 If
they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to
themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. 7 For the earth
which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet
for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: 8 But that which
beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to
be burned. 9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that
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accompany salvation, though we thus speak. 10 For God is not unrighteous to
forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in
that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that every
one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:
12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience
inherit the promises. 13 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he
could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, 14 Saying, Surely blessing I will
bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. 15 And so, after he had patiently
endured, he obtained the promise. 16 For men verily swear by the greater: and
an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. 17 Wherein God, willing
more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his
counsel, confirmed it by an oath: 18 That by two immutable things, in which it
was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled
for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: 19 Which hope we have as an
anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within
the veil; 20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high
priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
Despising the Word (Hebrews 10:26-39). (Willfulness).
Hebrews 10:26-39 KJV 26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the
knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a
certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour
the adversaries. 28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or
three witnesses: 29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be
thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted
the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and
hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him that hath said,
Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The
Lord shall judge his people. 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the
living God. 32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were
illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; 33 Partly, whilst ye were made
a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became
companions of them that were so used. 34 For ye had compassion of me in my
bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that
ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. 35 Cast not away therefore
your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. 36 For ye have need
of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. 38
Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no
pleasure in him. 39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of
them that believe to the saving of the soul.
Defying the Word (Hebrews 12:25-29). (Refusing to hear).
Hebrews 12:25-29 KJV 25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they
escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape,
if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: 26 Whose voice then shook
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the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth
only, but also heaven. 27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing
of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things
which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom
which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably
with reverence and godly fear: 29 For our God is a consuming fire.
The writer instructed his readers to "see that ye refuse not Him that speaks." God is speaking to us today through His Word and believers had better listen to Him. The writer set forth our inability to escape the Word. Vs 25b, "For if they escaped not who refuse him that spoke on earth, much
more shall not we escape, if we turn away from Him that speaketh from heaven.”
God shook the earth as He gave the Law. If God shook things at Mt. Sinai and those who refused to hear were judged, how much more responsible are we today who have experienced the blessings of the New Covenant. The reference to shaking the earth is a quotation from Haggai 2:6-7. "For
thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the
earth, and the sea, and the dry land; And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations
shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts." In this quotation, there is a reference to the time when the Lord will return with power and great glory. The Law was fulfilled, and after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ, the temple was destroyed within a few years. But the things of the New Covenant remain. The things of the new heaven, the new earth, and the new Jerusalem will remain
As we move toward the heavenly kingdom, we must make sure that we are serving God. Verse 28,
"Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may
serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: (Verse 29) For our God is a consuming
fire."
Conclusion
The grace of God will enable us to live the Christian life to the glory of God.
We must pursue peace with all men and live holy lives in order to enjoy fellowship with God and to receive His blessings.
If we neglect to live holy lives, we fail of the grace of God, but the grace of God will never fail us.
We must listen to God when He speaks and obey Him.
We are not under the Old Covenant, the Law, but we are under the New Covenant of grace of which Jesus Christ is the Mediator.
We must not refuse the Word of God because we are accountable to Him.
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serve God in an acceptable manner with a deep respect for Him.
Have receive the salvation which He offers by grace through faith? If not, why? If so, are you living for Him?
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