Hebrews 12

Hello again!

For the record (if anyone is keeping track), I am finding more 'freedom' in my study by not rushing to get a whole chapter completed in one week.  That goal was very good for me in the beginning of this study (to give me motivation and get this whole thing jump-started) but I have found myself camping on certain verses and passages more.  I know full well that the next time I do this study through the Bible I will be drawn to much different things.  So I trust Holy Spirit to lead me to the things He wants me to dig into this time, and leave the things He might have for me next time.  It's great to have the Author as a person Guide and Tutor :)

Up through Hebrews 11, I gave each chapter two main outline sections.  Chapter 11 had just one.  Chapter 12 has three.  But I checked with the administrator of this study, and he said that was ok....

The outline theme for Hebrews 12 is built on the 'O' of 'SON IS MEDIATOR':

• Our Founder of faith (1-2)  
  
• Our Father who disciplines (3-17)  
  
• Our future kingdom (18-29)  
  

The memory passages are;

• Our Founder of faith
  Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV) 
  1Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
  
  
• Our Father who disciplines
  Hebrews 12:7 (ESV)
  7It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?
  
  
• Our future kingdom 
  Hebrews 12:28-29 (ESV) 
  28Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, 29for our God is a consuming fire.
  
  

Occasionally in this study I come upon a passage that just begs to be memorized.  I tried a few ways of sticking vv1-2 with the larger section on discipline, but it just didn't work.  So I made it its own section; Our Founder of faith.  The writer refers to the previous list of faith heroes and encourages us to put aside the things that weigh us down, deal with sin, and run hard.  Our goal?  Jesus, Who founded and perfected our faith by His work.  But He did not go about His mission grudgingly or reluctantly; He endured the cross and the shame because He knew that the end was worth it.  He looked to the joy before Him (of being exalted and united again with His Father) as we are to look to Him (being united with Him in eternity) as our hope (1 John 3:2-3).

A much larger section (vv 3-17) deals with Our Father who disciplines.  But it appears that vv3-4 are somewhat of a continuation of 1-2.  The writer again points to Christ to say that His suffering under sinners and struggle against sin (though He did not sin) should be an encouragement and an exhortation to us.  We can be encouraged of heart that Christ, our Example, endured to the end of His mission on earth.  But we are also exhorted to not lose heart, even if we struggle against sin to the point of shedding blood (as Christ did in the garden (Luke 22:44) and on the cross (Col 1:20)). 

The word 'discipline appears 9 times in this passage.  While I still have a lot to learn about studying God's Word, I'm pretty sure that when a word shows up that many times that I should pay attention.  I also find it very interesting that the writer doesn't start off with our need for discipline but our standing as sons (which appears 6 times).  "Don't forget, you are children of God!  If He disciplines you, it is out of His love for you and for your own good.  It's better to be loved and disciplined by a loving Father, even if it isn't fun for the moment; the alternative is being spiritually Fatherless."  Verse 11 sums up the fruit of discipline from God:

Hebrews 12:11 (ESV)
For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Right after describing the work of God in our discipline and training, the writer lists several things we are responsible for in the process.

• Lift our drooping heads
• Strengthen our weak knees
• Make straight paths for our feet
• Strive for peace
• Strive for holiness
  

Walking with God is a shared endeavor; what He does (and can only do) in combination with what He wants us to do.  Again, the metaphor of a father and his children applies.  What dad is not thrilled with the first steps of his tottering child?  And yet, that same dad does not want his 16 year-old still learing to walk.  I see it so plainly with my own children.  I can show my 5 year-old exactly how to do something but until she decides to work with me in the process, we don't get anywhere.  I could do it for her (and do it well), but then she would never learn herself.  God knows what (and how) we need to learn in order for us to produce the good fruit He intends for us. 

The writer then exhorts believers to obtain the grace of God so that no 'root of bitterness' springs up and causes trouble.  The examples he gives of these roots are sexual immorality and unholy selfishness (like Esau).  Walking in the grace of God, in holiness and humility, helps believers avoid the sinful seeds of bitterness and unholines.

The last section of Hebrews 12, Our Future Kingdom, contrasts two mountains representing two kingdoms.  Verses 18-21 remind the readers about the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai.  This mountain was inapproachable because of the fire, darkness, gloom and tempest.  In fact, God commanded that if even an animal touched the mountain it must be stoned.  Moses, God's friend, even trembled with fear.  The Law that was given was also inapproachable in that it could not be fulfilled by the people.  It's purpose was to keep their sin before them (and remind them of their need for a Savior). 

The new kingdom, represented by Mount Zion, is different.  Because of the work of Jesus as our Mediator, we are now invited to draw near to 'the city of the living God'.  The old kingdom will be shaken and pass away, but we can be grateful for receiving a kingdom that will not be shaken.  For this (among other things) we should worship God with reverence and awe.  The writer then describes God as a 'consuming fire', which seems to reference Deut 4:24:

Deuteronomy 4:23-24 (ESV)
23Take care, lest you forget the covenant of the Lord your God, which he made with you, and make a carved image, the form of anything that the Lord your God has forbidden you. 24For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.

 This passage from a larger section warning against idolatry.  Indeed, anyone who worships anything of this world is giving their devotion to things that will be shaken.  We are exhorted to worship God, the Judge of all (23) who is the One who will do the shaking.  He alone is worthy of our worship.


How does this affect my worship?
We must not forget awe.  There are many approaches to worshiping God including praise, adoration, supplication, complaint, exaltation, etc.  It's true that we can approach the Father boldly because of the work of Christ (4:16), and that Jesus Himself calls us 'friends' (John 15:15).  But He is still God; who created heaven and earth, God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob, who Authored and Perfected our salvation, and who will one day shake the earth and take to Himself all who are  His.  He is the Originator of the universe and Creator of my smallest cells.  He alone is worthy of worship.

How does this affect my discipleship?
I suppose there is an element of the 'shared enterprise' in discipleship, too.  There are the thing that the discipler does (teach, guide, counsel) and things the disciple must do (study, seek, ask questions, practice disciplines).  The disciple-maker has an important role, but cannot 'make' the disciple.  For both the disciple-maker and the one being discipled there is the on-going walk with God that included the things only God can do and the things He wants us to do.  This idea is best transferred by example.  Discipleship is following God in front of each other.

Grateful for our future kingdom,

Ethan

Hebrews 11

Greetings once again,

Given the state of life these days, I have adjusted my approach to the Chapter Memory Study.  For a while I was motivated to (and able to) get through 1 chapter per week.  That has not been the case over the past several months.  One of the main reasons for the change is that I was just basically 'getting through' the chapter without taking time to really meditate on it.  So, while this takes me completely away from my nice, structured schedule, I am finding the daily study time to be much more rewarding.  My note sheet (the document that I work on throughout the week, of which this entry is a product) is much longer and more involved.

So, that said, here is the Thematic Outline for Hebrews 11 (built on the 'T' of SON IS MEDIATOR):

• The hall of faith (1-40)
  

(that's right, it's an outline with one point.  This chapter is renown and unique; I couldn't figure out where to separate it)

The Memory Passage for Hebrews 11 is:

• The hall of faith
  Hebrews 11:1-2
  1Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2For by it the people of old received their commendation.
  
  

Brief Commentary
First of all, I love how these last few memory verses are 'perfect' for this study.  They contain the essential key words and effectively set up the theme of the chapter.  The topic of this chapter is faith.  Faith in God is defined by the author as being sure of things you have been promised (by God) and convinced of things you can't see (of God).  At the heart of faith if trust, but the core must not be who is trusting but the One who is trustworthy.

I share this illustration in regards to faith.  In Minnesota during the winter the lakes freeze over.  In college this was a novel thing to explore.  But before you stepped on the ice you had to make a choice;"do I trust the ice?"  My heart could be filled with 100% certainty that the ice is thick enough and will hold my weight; but if the ice is only fractions of an inch thick I will get a cold bath.  Faith ultimately depends more upon in what (or Whom) you put your faith and not how much faith you have.  How else could faith the size of a tiny mustard seed be so powerful in the kingdom of God? (Luke 17:6).  Our faith has power because we have faith in God. Our first application of faith, naturally, begins with God; we believe that He created the world by His word; turning what was not into what is.  This is an 'assent'; one step beyond knowing the fact about something.  It is an action of the will in addition to an act of understanding. 

The writer then describes (in varying detail) the faith of individuals throughout Jewish history.  And a very good place to start is always.......page 2?  Notice the conspicuous absence of Adam and Eve in this list.  We begin with their son, Abel.  Abel was the 'good' son who obediently offered his sacrifice to God while his brother Cain did not.  And the rest, as they say, is the rest.  Abel's faith and obedience is a testimony to us still today.

Enoch walked with God and his life pleased God.  God chose to 'take him up' so that he would not taste death.

Verse 6 is the first little break-out teaching point that the writer makes.

Hebrews 11:6 (ESV)
6And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

It is pressed  between Enoch and Noah, but also applies to the entire list.  God is pleased with our faith in Him, and our relationship with Him must stand on our faith that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.

Noah displayed striking faith in God in that he built a boat in the middle of the land on which it had never rained.  He believed and trusted God against all available science and evidence.  I love that the writer describes Noah's faith as 'reverent fear' (7).  This is the way to the 'righteousness that comes by faith'.

Abraham gets a nice chunk of the chapter.  By faith Abraham obeyed God and lived the life of a nomad.  He had no foundation on which to dwell, but trusted God for the future foundation He had promised.  Sarah is listed as living by faith in God's promise of a son.  This is interesting because she obviously got impatient with God and tried to settle matters herself.  In spite of that, she is on the list.  Her ultimate faith in God to fulfill His promise (even at her old age) must have been exemplary.  From this 'man as good as dead' (12) came the promised descendants who all 'died in faith' not having received the ultimate reward of the promise; an eternal homeland.

This seems to be the writer's next break-out teaching point (verses 14-16).  Being that the promise of a homeland will not come while we live on this earth, we must keep our eyes on the 'better country, that is a heavenly one', that God has prepared for us in which to dwell.  Those who keep their minds on the 'old country' have little to hope for in eternity.

Abraham is not done yet, and here we are reminded of one of the most striking acts of faith in the Bible.  God made it clear to Abraham that His promise would be fulfilled through Isaac, but then tests Abraham's faith by asking Abraham to offer Isaac to Him as a sacrifice.  (if you haven't read this story in a while, go back to Genesis 22 and read it again).  Abraham feared and obeyed God, even to the point of believing that He could raise Isaac from the dead in order to fulfill His promise.  Faith.  Fear.  Worship.  A picture of the cross.

Isaac's blessings of Jacob and Esau (listed in that order), while it seems to us like a big decptive mess, are listed as acts of faith by Isaac.

Jacob finished well and blessed the sons of Joseph in his late years.

Joseph had the faith to request that his own bones be carried out of Egypt when the Israelites would finally exit. 

Moses' parents are commended with faith because they hid Moses from the Egyptians.

Moses himself, by rejecting the posh life of the Egyptian royalty and embracing his true heritage, considered the future reward greater than the immediate gratification.  The writer actually says that Moses 'considered the reproach of Christ greater' than the opportunity for royal living.  Many people speculate about what this means.  Did Moses have some revelation of Christ?  Is the writer associating the suffering and mission of Moses as similar to those of Jesus?  Whatever the writer (or Moses) knew, the message to us is to look to the future reward and the blessing of heaven instead of just what the world has to offer.
Moses' most famous story (the freeing of Israel from Egypt) is only referenced to in passing; the writer says that Moses left Egypt (probably after he murdered the Egyptian) and that he obeyed the instructions for the first Passover (toward the end of his interaction with Pharaoh).  As a side note, it is interesting what the writer includes and omits.  Here, we have nothing about the burning bush, the plagues, water from the rock.

Israel as a group are said to have had faith when they walked across the dry bed of the Red Sea (which would take faith by each and every one, I'm sure).  Then we skip all the way to the 'battle' of Jericho.  Israel's behavior leading up to and including their banishment from the promised land is conspicuously absent.  But when we do get to Jericho, there is no doubt that they were victorious because of God and the peoples' faith and obedience in Him.

Rahab, a prostitute in the soon-to-be-ruins of Jericho, was saved because she had faith (and fear) in the God whose people were advancing on her city.  She welcomed and hid the spies, and her testimony of faith earned her salvation from the siege.

Then the writer does what many people (at least I) tend to do when listing examples; move from specific to general.  After going into varying details about the previous individuals, the writer simply lists Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David and Samuel.  He lumps together 'the prophets' and then describes exploits of faith in general.  Some try to pin these acts of faith on specific individuals in history.  That is fine, but what we are given are examples of how people lived out their faith in God.

To close the chapter, the writer mentions the 'other side' of faith.  Not heroic exploits of national or military nature, but the trials and persecutions of those who suffered for their faith.  In sincere reverence, the writer recounts some of these stories and commends those who suffered thus; 'of whom the world was not worthy'.  But even the greatest of these people of faith still have not fully received what was promised.  And they will not until all those who have faith in God are joined under Him when He returns. 


How does this affect  my worship?
The two main themes of worship throughout the Bible are who God is and what God has done.  Look here at what God has done through those who have faith in Him.  Am I living faithfully to God so that He can use me how He wants to.  Not for me, but to Your name be the glory; for Your name's sake and your renown.

How does this affect my discipleship?
Living a life the models faith in front of any disciple is very important.  Faith can be contagious.  If my language and behavior exemplifies faith (even a young faith, or a challenged faith) in God, it will be noticed.  Faith, humility, and hope stand out in this world.

by faith,

Ethan