by Jonathan Koehler | Nov 18, 2024 | Articles, Mentors Corner
A key theme, if not THE key theme, in the letter to the Hebrews is that of holding fast, perseverance, endurance-terms that indicate continuing a sometimes difficult and long course for a purpose and with an end, which may not necessarily be in view at present. The warnings are meant to help readers in the first century all the way through today and beyond to hold on to their faith in the work of Christ that one day they might be counted in those who have “loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8) A brief summary of the warnings and the responses to them follows. Pay closer attention to what God has revealed in His Son Jesus and do not drift from it (Hebrews 2:1-3a). The Greek for “pay attention” in a naval context means to “hold one’s course toward a place”. The context is the spoken Word but would also include the written Word. Stay close to the Bible and its proclamation and obey it. There are no shortcuts. Rest from your efforts to gain salvation; instead, work out its evidence within you by your actions (Hebrews 3:7-4:13). Draw near to Jesus and the throne of grace and realize He has done the work of salvation for you (Hebrews 4:14-16), freeing you to walk in the works He has prepared for you (Ephesians 2:10). Do not waddle in immaturity by thinking you need to go back to the cross (Hebrews 5:11-6:8). Reminding ourselves of the Cross and our need for it is one thing, but returning back to it for salvation over and over is not possible and a...
by Jonathan Koehler | Nov 5, 2024 | Articles, Mentors Corner
One final appeal is issued to the Hebrews in this fifth warning encapsulated in 12:25-29 with echoes back to vv.15-17. There are admonitions that no one should come short of grace, that bitterness not be allowed to take root and bear the fruit of group defilement, and that there be no one like Esau who sold his birthright as the eldest son for a meal. The mention of bitterness refers to Deuteronomy 29:18ff. in which God warns the Israelites against abandoning the covenant He had made with them and adopting idolatry which results in disastrous consequences. Esau gave way to temporary physical desires and in the process sacrificed his inheritance which included participation in the messianic promises (v17). Esau’s situation is particularly poignant as an illustration that there are certain “trapdoors” through which we traverse with irreversible consequences, for when he sought to regain his birthright, he was refused. The author then uses imagery to illustrate the contrast between the fearful environment associated with Mt. Sinai (smoke, fire, earthquakes, unbearable voice of God), representing the Law and the Mosaic, or Old Covenant (see Exodus chapters 19-24), and the peace of Mt. Zion and the heavenly Jerusalem, representing Grace and the New Covenant. Though Grace revealed in the Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis chapter 12) preceded Law (Mosiac Covenant), the Hebrews had retreated back to the perceived safety of the Law to avoid persecution. It is telling that relating to God on the basis of law involves fear associated with performance (what we do) whereas the incredible and unique grace relationship because of Jesus is unconditional, even though God knows what we...
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