Equipping University

Unlike most New Testament authors, the writer of Hebrews has not saved all his practical application until the end of the letter. Instead, he has interspersed doctrine and duty throughout the sermon. Now, after teaching his readers that their God is both the consuming holiness of Sinai and the consuming love of Zion, he writes in the final chapter several intensely practical commands to reveal to his readers exactly what it looks like to persevere in their Christian lives in regular, everyday ways. Each of the practical exhortations in this closing chapter provides general instructions on how to interact with those around us. The first five exhortations (vv. 1-6) deal with Christian relationships to people and things in their everyday lives.

While it is true that the New Testament does give us a fuller revelation of God, we dare not say that we read of a different God in the New Testament. The God we worship today is the same God worshipped by Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Isaiah, John the Baptist, and Paul. However, passages such as the one we studied last - Hebrews 12:18-24 - often add to the confusion. The same God spoke both covenants into existence and therefore, we are to follow the instruction of our author in the passage where we find the fifth and final warning to his readers: "See that you do not refuse him who is speaking" (Heb 12:25). This great command is given once again in this letter and backed up with a terrifying warning to those who would refuse to heed it.

We often long for the good ol' days but not many of us would want to give up modern conveniences like cell phones, the internet, and air conditioning. The book of Hebrews was to say the same thing on a different level to first-century Jews who had converted to Christianity. Their new faith in Christ led to significant problems in other areas of their life. They are disowned by family. They are being persecuted by society. Many are beginning to think that a simple return to Judaism will solve all their problems. The author of Hebrews wrote his letter to convince them of the spiritual death that would follow if they leave Christ to return to Moses. Now, after multiple exhortations and warnings, he offers one final summary argument in seven verses in the middle of the twelfth chapter. He reminds them of where they once were and where they now stand. In this stark comparison, the decision they must make is shown to be an obvious one.

In the previous section of Scripture, the author explains "the secret" behind all the difficult times the readers had experienced and were currently experiencing. Their afflictions did not just come into their lives at the hands of fate and destiny. Instead, the author wants his readers to understand that God was and is behind all of it, including the affliction that was just now on the distant horizon. God ordains all the rough moments in a Christian's life but he does so for a divine purpose - the discipline of his precious children. Now, with this knowledge in hand, we must and can live our lives differently than in the past. The assumption of the author is that "knowing what God is up to in our suffering is the key to pressing on in the race of holy Christian living." Prior to understanding this truth, believers were often tempted to believe that God had abandoned them. When the affliction or persecution would begin, it seemed to the natural eye and mind that they were on their own. However, now armed wi

In the previous section of Scripture, the author explains "the secret" behind all the difficult times the readers had experienced and were currently experiencing. Their afflictions did not just come into their lives at the hands of fate and destiny. Instead, the author wants his readers to understand that God was and is behind all of it, including the affliction that was just now on the distant horizon. God ordains all the rough moments in a Christian's life but he does so for a divine purpose - the discipline of his precious children. Now, with this knowledge in hand, we must and can live our lives differently than in the past. The assumption of the author is that "knowing what God is up to in our suffering is the key to pressing on in the race of holy Christian living." Prior to understanding this truth, believers were often tempted to believe that God had abandoned them. When the affliction or persecution would begin, it seemed to the natural eye and mind that they were on their own. However, now armed wi