Chapter summary:
Faith is especially needed when we face experiences intended to discipline us. Yet Jesus Himself endured extreme suffering and opposition; setting an example for us of perseverance, to the very point of death (12:1-3).
What we must remember when difficulties come is that, any good parent will discipline their child. So hardships are evidence that God is treating us like the children we are (vv. 4-7). Surely if we respect human parents who discipline us, we must respect God, whose discipline is wiser and directed toward a greater goal (vv. 8-11). So let’s not crumble under difficulties, but proceed with courage and hope (vv. 12-13).
The writer now pauses to introduce a final warning. Faith calls for us to live with others in holiness and peace (vv. 14-17). The first covenant was given to a frightened mob that stood before an earthly mountain that trembled and shook. Our covenant was given by Jesus who opens heaven itself (vv. 18-24). God now intends to shake not just a mountain but the earth and heavens as well and we alone will inherit the unshakable kingdom of our God (vv. 25-27). Holy lives and fervent worship are our offerings to our awesome Lord (vv. 28-29).
The believer’s personal application: Struggles strengthen and purify us.
INSIGHT
"Cloud of witnesses" (12:1):
The text of Chapter 11 offers a list of names; people that believed God and acted upon what they believed. Their reward: the manifestation of God’s faithfulness.
"Author and perfecter" (12:2):
As we live we can look back and see how Jesus lived His life. When we look ahead we can see His exaltation. He is our example of a starter and finisher.
“Consider Jesus” (12:3):
To "become weary and lose heart", to relaxed or collapse along the way. When we take into account how much Jesus endured, we'll realize that suffering and hardships are no excuse for giving up and dropping out.
“Discipline” (12:5):
While God's discipline may often be experienced as hardship, this passage makes it clear that divine discipline is:
• a responsibility that God fulfills as a Father toward those who are His true children.
• expresses love and not anger.
• is directed toward a specific purpose, to shape us toward holiness.
“Punishes” (12:6):
Spanking or whipping was one tool that Jewish parents used to train their children. But the overall context of the discipline was to be loving, and every punishment to be for the child's good.
“Bitterness” (12:14-15):
If we fail to sense the love, and the purposefulness that motivates God's discipline, we are likely to become bitter and "miss the grace of God."
If we see our trials, and difficulties in the proper perspective provided by God's grace, discipline will be welcomed.
“Esau” (12:16):
Esau is an example of the godless in that he saw absolutely no value in spiritual things and so traded his birthright to God's covenant promise for a bowl of stew. If we value only the material rather than the spiritual, we too will miss the blessing.
“Created things to be removed” (12:18-27):
Moses gave the Law before a mountain that burned with fire and shook the earth. The terror felt by that generation will be nothing to that which will be felt by those who cannot see spiritual realities, and fail to enter the kingdom of God. That kingdom alone will remain when the universe itself is shaken, and all creation disappears. It’s wonderful to be a citizen of God’s kingdom.
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