Hebrews 12:14-29

 “Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness, for without it no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God, that no one be like a bitter root springing up and causing trouble, and through him many become defiled. And see to it that no one becomes an immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal. For you know that later when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no opportunity for repentance, although he sought the blessing with tears. For you have not come to something that can be touched, to a burning fire and darkness and gloom and a whirlwind and the blast of a trumpet and a voice uttering words such that those who heard begged to hear no more. For they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.” In fact, the scene was so terrifying that Moses said, “I shudder with fear.” But you have come to Mount Zion, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the assembly and congregation of the firstborn, who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous, who have been made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks of something better than Abel’s does. Take care not to refuse the one who is speaking! For if they did not escape when they refused the one who warned them on earth, how much less shall we, if we reject the one who warns from heaven? Then his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “I will once more shake not only the earth but heaven too.” Now this phrase “once more” indicates the removal of what is shaken, that is, of created things, so that what is unshaken may remain. So since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us give thanks, and through this let us offer worship pleasing to God in devotion and awe. For our God is indeed a devouring fire.”

— ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭14‬-‭29‬‬

The fifth and most harsh warning passage in Hebrews. I have mentioned the five topics to outline when reading these passages (not to overlook careful interpretation of the text), but it is possible to get bogged down in weeds that conclusions can eventually contradict. Don’t want to get into an inerrancy discussion here, but even if different authors have different emphases or suggest different ideas, it’s less likely that the same author will present conflicting themes in his book. Also need to remember Hebrews is a sermon in written form.

Not going to dive into all 16 verses here, but some key thoughts.

Prov 4:26-27 are the verses that tie first half of chapter to this. Mention holiness and godliness and how the wise person can gain both. Hebrews quotes this verse. 

Come short of the grace of God? This wouldn’t be God’s doing, since His grace is immeasurable. The exhortation is again the falling away of chapter 6. It’s the sin of Esau who traded something “priceless” for something temporarily fulfilling. The opportunity to repent is only in the present time. We could have a more full discussion on what repentance is/isn’t and how the relates to following Jesus. The point is that Jesus is king/the superior sacrifice, and we belong to His kingdom.

The contrast between something that can be touched and something invisible/untouchable is difficult. I’m sure there are options, whether it’s simply that God’s kingdom is superior or can’t be controlled by humans. There really is not comparison when reading about Mt Sinai and Mt Zion. But the point is there’s no comparison in the punishment for turning away from Mt Sinai and Mt Zion. And I’m not just saying burning flesh forever.

He removes everything that rejects Him so that the unshakable kingdom remains. All impurities are removed. But the author of Hebrews always ends with some whiff of optimism. 

Give thanks. We have received the kingdom. We just need to hold fast. Worship God. He is worthy of our devotion and wonder. 

I’m sure there’s different perspectives on consuming fire. There’s obviously different understandings of God’s wrath and people are uncomfortable. There are definitely caricatures on both sides. 

What’s important here at least is that this book wasn’t really directed to the world at large. This was to a group of self-proclaimed Christians. It’s a mixed group most likely. The author may or may not know who is following Jesus. The description of God as purifying His kingdom at least begins in the church, think 1 Cor 3. Pursue holiness and peace with all.

Hebrews 10:19-39

 “Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the fresh and living way that he inaugurated for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in the assurance that faith brings, because we have had our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water. And let us hold unwaveringly to the hope that we confess, for the one who made the promise is trustworthy. And let us take thought of how to spur one another on to love and good works, not abandoning our own meetings, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and even more so because you see the day drawing near. For if we deliberately keep on sinning after receiving the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins is left for us, but only a certain fearful expectation of judgment and a fury of fire that will consume God’s enemies. Someone who rejected the law of Moses was put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much greater punishment do you think that person deserves who has contempt for the Son of God, and profanes the blood of the covenant that made him holy, and insults the Spirit of grace? For we know the one who said, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God. But remember the former days when you endured a harsh conflict of suffering after you were enlightened. At times you were publicly exposed to abuse and afflictions, and at other times you came to share with others who were treated in that way. For in fact you shared the sufferings of those in prison, and you accepted the confiscation of your belongings with joy, because you knew that you certainly had a better and lasting possession. So do not throw away your confidence, because it has great reward. For you need endurance in order to do God’s will and so receive what is promised. For just a little longer and he who is coming will arrive and not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith, and if he shrinks back, I take no pleasure in him. But we are not among those who shrink back and thus perish, but are among those who have faith and preserve their souls.”

— ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭19‬-‭39‬‬

This is the fourth of five warning passages in Hebrews. These grow in fierceness throughout the book. Very difficult to understand, but it can be helpful to look for discussion of five topics throughout these passages: spiritual descriptions of audience, description of sin, promised consequences of sinning or repenting, how they should respond, confidence in God. 

Also genre of Hebrews is important and historical context: persecution. Written to primarily Jewish Christians. These people are being tempted (probably bc of persecution) to return to former Judaism. 

Too long of a passage to walk through each phrase. Overall message is that we have access to God because of Jesus’ sacrifice. Endure. Endure. Endure. Do not turn back. Judaism does not equal following Jesus/Christianity. 

“Keep on sinning” is not same as 1 John 3. This is not just a habit of sinning. I understand this at least as relying on sacrifices to cover sin. Generally it means remaining in Judaism. If we take away Jesus, “no other sacrifice remains.” Where else can we find forgiveness? Judaism or any other religion does not reconcile humans with God. 

Rejecting Christ profanes the blood of the covenant. Makes it useless. 

Descriptions of these people make it sound like their saved. Same as in 6:1-4. Probably because author is speaking to mixed audience. (Obviously this is one of the most heated aspects of debate). Hebrews is written in sermon form, so to me it make sense that he is writing as if everyone is saved but pleading for those thinking to walk away, not to do so.

How can a community endure best? By spurring one another to love and good works. This is encouragement, accountability, service, support for each other. Hard to do this in isolation. V. 25 really isn’t talking about going to a church building each week. It certainly includes regular worship services, but it’s much more meaningful than that. There are no Lone Ranger Christians. We need community. Do not abandon one another. That leads to not spurring each other to love and good works. That leads to going back to sacrifices and ultimately leaving Jesus. Stick together.

But author has confidence that people will endure. In ch 6 he makes this explicit that God is faithful and will preserve them. 

We are those who have faith…And ch. 11 explains what that faith is like. 

I love the book of Hebrews. It’s so much more than just the “Jesus is better” book. It’s a comparison of New and Old covenant. It’s a plea to stick with Jesus because He is the only source of hope and life. He reconciles human to deity. Through faith and endurance of this world’s pain and anger (toward them), believers find their joy.

Hebrews 11:1

 “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, being convinced of what we do not see.”

— ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭1‬‬

“And these all were commended for their faith, yet they did not receive what was promised. For God had provided something better for us, so that they would be made perfect together with us.”

— ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭39‬-‭40‬‬

I’m not philosophical/theologically inclined enough to distinguish hope and faith right now. No pithy or tweetable definitions to astound. I’m sure there are biblical passages to help separate them, but I’m just as confident there are passages where the semantic range overlaps. This is why I stick to individual passages and branch out to books, or the author’s corpus (and if need be other portions of the Bible if a topic demands it).

It does appear here that faith is a more grounded hope, and it is grounded in something stable, i.e., the faithfulness of God. We can only be convinced of something we have not touched or seen because we are confident in the character of the One who has promised. And we can only be confident in His character because of past kept promises. 

Yet, even in this chapter, the context of the book of Hebrews is more important. After listing many OT individuals and what they gained or accomplished by faith, the author of Hebrews says these “did not receive what was promised.” So did God fail? No, the point is that Jesus and the New Covenant is superior. This has been the point throughout the whole book. 

Stick with Jesus and receive the promises, just as those saints will. Endure (12:1-2). Do not return to Judaism, even if it is safer and you escape imminent persecution. 

This book is amazing, but it must be read sequentially and fully. Chapters 10 and 12 surround this chapter as warning passages (the most harsh warnings to not turn back). We are going to inherit a kingdom that doesn’t fade away. We enter by faith. We see it now by faith.

Hebrews 12:7-13

 “Endure your suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline? But if you do not experience discipline, something all sons have shared in, then you are illegitimate and are not sons. Besides, we have experienced discipline from our earthly fathers and we respected them; shall we not submit ourselves all the more to the Father of spirits and receive life? For they disciplined us for a little while as seemed good to them, but he does so for our benefit, that we may share his holiness. Now all discipline seems painful at the time, not joyful. But later it produces the fruit of peace and righteousness for those trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your listless hands and your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but be healed.”

— ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭7‬-‭13‬‬

Endure is word for patience/endurance. “Suffering” is implied in NET from context. And “as discipline” could also be purpose phrase “to become disciplined.” 

This is good example of having “key verse” in context (v. 11). Entire book of Hebrews is unknown author (pastoral relationship) admonishing mixed group of people Jews and Gentiles to hold to Jesus rather than return to Judaism in face of imminent hard core persecution (ch 12…you have not yet). This would be tempting since the old ways are comfortable, familiar, and “so close” to gospel.

5 warning passages provide structure of Hebrews, and chapter 12 (v 14-29) is perhaps most forceful. These verses seem to discuss discipline of random sin. “God getting His silly children back in line.” This is much more serious.

Need to do more study on why author would want to see persecution/suffering as discipline. One main point is to encourage audience. You are legitimate children of God. You are in the family. And from ch 6. God is faithful to His family. If there’s ever worry about whether you’re in or out, have confidence in God’s faithfulness to His own.

Not sure suffering is discipline in the way we think about it. But suffering (in this case, persecution) is evidence of being in God’s family. Otherwise believers would be one with culture and feel no friction. So author tells audience to accept suffering. Don’t avoid it. That would mean denying faith, turning from Jesus, and as chapter ends…well, it’s not good.