Hebrews Study – Lesson 14
Read Heb. Chapter 12:15-29. This is the last and final warning that the writer of the Hebrews gives to his readers. It is the warning of Denying. It had reference to the denying the SUFICIENCY of God and His will in meeting our needs. (Refer to Hebrews study 11 for the other 5 warnings issued.) Chapter 12:16-7 uses the example of Esau. Esau was one who lived for the here and now. The right NOW! The, I want it today crowd. No thought of how today will affect tomorrow. How many of us would sell out God’s blessings that He has for us as we walk with Him for the here and now? We often act so short sighted, wanting things now instead of taking a little more time and letting God guide us into His blessing, receiving the EXACT thing that we need. God’s provisions are what we are looking for. Not this world’s imitation substitutes. His provisions are what we want because He is in them. They are tailor made for our needs and desires. READ Gen. 25:24-34
The writer of the Hebrews here WARNS US of living like Esau. Esau was not only a man who lived for the now, but he also proved by his lifestyle that he had no need for true spiritual things. This is a warning to us. He was a self made man. The birth right prior to Aaron had more attached to it than just material inheritance. It also had spiritual responsibilities and blessings attached to it. As a matter of fact, the spiritual inheritance at that time was considered far more important than the material inheritance. In that day, the first born would keep the family items significant to their religious heritage. In pagan families the first born would be the keeper of their family idols which were considered the family’s spiritual power. Esau lived in a Christian home, so to speak. I am sure that his father had shared stories of their heritage and how God was with their grandfather and how God would be with them. Think of it, Isaac was the one who went up with Abraham on Mt. Moriah to offer a sacrifice, and Abraham took no sacrifice except Isaac per the Lords instructions. Attached to the birthright of the first born was the spiritual leadership of the family and the passing on their heritage to future generations. Prior to Aaron and the Law the first born carried on the responsibilities and duties of the priest for their family. READ Gen. 25:5-6.
That Esau even gave a thought to selling his birthright is amazing. His birthright WAS SO VALUABLE, spiritually as well as materially. But, as we see, he never even gave it a thought. He was hungry. Jacob barely had to work for it. To Esau the birthright had no value. The ONLY value he gave it was the price of a meal.
The story is told of a purchase of a certain item at a yard sale. It was a box of old time photographic negatives. These negatives were glass negatives from the 1920’s and 30’s containing different scenes mainly of Yosemite and the San Francisco Bay area. The current owner had priced them at $70. The buyer and the seller haggled for a short time and the man eventually bought them for $45. He took them home and put them under his pool table, where they stayed for several years. At times he would pull them out and show them to friends. He and his friends were fascinated by them. Comments were made that these plates were so unusual that they thought, ”what if they were really worth something”. Maybe they were negatives having at least some value. Some comments were made that maybe they could be, by chance, some lost work of the famous American photographer Ansel Adams. The man continued to store them under his pool table. As time went on, he began to do some research and found out that they were indeed just that. Evidently the man found out that the negatives were the only remaining plates left from a dark room fire that had destroyed more than 5000 negatives. The value of his purchase was estimated at 200 million dollars. He purchased them for the price of a meal. May we not be so foolish not to realize the value of our inheritance in Christ. All to often we value the standards and trappings of this world more than what Christ offers us as an inheritance. Investing all of our time and effort in the temporal things the world places value on, neglecting the much more valuable benefits of our eternal inheritance in Christ. If we only committed to our journey with Christ as much as we have committed to our journey with this world and its system, believing Him and seeing the delusion and deception of this present world.
Esau was moved and controlled by his body. It controlled him, instead of him being master over the impulses and cravings of his body. He was hungry. Not thinking too much of it he willingly sold his birth right for TEMPORARY satisfaction. Unbelievable! By doing this, his actions proved that he did not value his inheritance. Through this piece of paper Jacob his brother even though a rascal, had respect for what was offered by being in the position of the first born. He valued what was associated with that position. By realizing the opportunity, and acting on it, he, not Esau became the heir in line for the Kingdom blessing which was far more valuable than any earthly possession.
Read 12:18-24 Again, the writer takes them back to their heritage again, reminding them that although the Covenant of the Law was right and true, it was an agreement that did not make provision for man’s weakness, his sin nature. V. 18-21 shows just how far man is separated from God in who God is and what is necessary and expected for man to reach the standard needed to stand before God. Perfection was/is required. The First mount, Mt. Sinai, set the standard clear and to the point as to what God’s standard was. If man stood on his own this is what would be needed. (Perfection) It was SCARY. It was TERRIBLE.
Later in this chapter, v. 29, he reminds us that God is a CONSUMING FIRE. He is WARNING them that God is real and God IS Just. A warning that we need to heed today! He, God, must judge this universe and all that is in it and hold it accountable. This is TRULY a picture of God dealing with man standing on his own. V. 18-20 gives us some descriptive terms that help us to see the terror in being in the presence of the Living God on our own. In v. 21 it says that it was so terrible to see that even Moses said “I exceedingly fear and quake”.
Compare this to the Lord Jesus reaching out His hand saying, “Fear not. Come. Peace be unto you..” to those who were called His own. He is saying we who have come, having our sins FORGIVEN, have come through Christ to Mt. Zion, the city of the Living God, the New Jerusalem, the city of Peace. READ v. 22-4. Also, it seems that v. 18-21, although it uses the plural word ye in v. 18 signifying all inclusive, the text gives the impression of personal accountability. You get the feeling of just me and God. V.’s 22-24 gives the impression of family. Large family. Accepted. Together. In Peace. It uses terms like general assembly, the Church, first born, written in heaven, God, Jesus, mediator, New Covenant and Perfect.
In v. 23 it uses the term “written” in Heaven. This has direct reference to Rev. 21:27 (READ) and those who have made their peace with God, their names written in the “Book of Life”. Rev. 19:11-15 (READ) gives the final picture of those trying to come to God through the Law or any standard other than Christ’s sacrifice. God is a consuming fire. How terrible it will be to try to come to God through Mt. Sinai. V. 25-9 of chapter 12 (Read) gives a stern warning telling them not to take this lightly and/or to casual. God spoke in times past and the earth shook. This happened at the giving of the Law. It also happened at the Crucifixion. During the final Judgment the entire universe will be shaken. Only those things that CANNOT BE SHAKEN, His Word, will remain. He asks us to serve God with reverence and godly fear.
The last and final chapter of this book starts out with some practical application of a true relationship with God. He was calling them to grow. To grow up,...to mature in their faith. He had reminded them of the relationship that they began with when they came to Christ. This was not a head trip on bible knowledge trivia so that they could say the right answer only. He wanted them to go further than just understanding the concepts of church doctrine. He wanted to see it “lived out” in their lives. His intention from the beginning was to see their lives changed and established and rooted in the ways of Christ. It was the application of his message that was the goal and purpose of his letter. James 2:14-20 gives practical instruction as to what a relationship with Christ should look like. He, the writer of the book of Hebrews, ends this book with some practical application.
In the beginning of chapter 13 he does not give an exhausted list of necessary virtues for the Christian life. He may have focused on these virtues because he needed to. It could be that these were specific areas they needed encouragement in. It is interesting that this book, being fairly long, does not deal much with riotous and or carnal living. Yet, their offence was serious. Very Serious! They were beginning to stray doctrinally and he dealt more with position and relationship with Christ. Chapter 13 reminds us that sound doctrine should lead into practical Christian living. I have known many who seemed to be wise in Christian doctrine, but lacked significantly in its application. They have the right answers, but seem to have the wrong attitude in application. Usually it is the virtue of love and compassion for those who are still in process that is lacking in application. Christ knew doctrine well, but also applied patience, love and compassion. The writer of the Hebrews does the same. He does not compromise Christ’s message and doctrine, but he is truly compassionate on his approach to these Jewish Christians. His warnings to them are stern and clear, but his encouragement and support to take the step to make a full comment to Christ is evident.
This section is not a list of to do’s. The writer undergirds his instruction in this opening section of chapter 13 with love. He not only starts out with the admonition of continuing brotherly love, but continues further instruction as he himself continues his instruction with the same spirit that he is asking them to have. The items listed are often done with a I have to do them attitude because that’s what is expected of me as a Christian. He was not saying “Just Do It”. His admonition is to do these things, but the overall tone of his instructions is encouraging, believing in them that with the right relationship with Christ, they can do it. He wants them to participate in the PLEASURE of pleasing Christ.
He reminds them to LOVE one another in v.1. In v. 2 he tells them not to forget to care for the stranger, showing them kindness and hospitality. They, being Jews, were strangers once. V. 3 reminds them to remember those in bonds. Persecution may have been common. We know from history that it was soon to get much worse. He did not want those who were already in bonds and those who would be in bonds to be forgotten. He uses two phrases that are significant. The first is ‘as bound with them’ indicating not only identifying with them emotionally…empathy, but actually helping to shoulder their burden. The second dealing with suffering has the idea of literally feeling their pain.
v. 4 clearly makes reference to ‘holy matrimony’. The bible is clear that sex is made for the boundaries of marriage only and is not only honorable in that boundary, but is blessed. The sex act outside of marriage receives God’s judgment, not blessing. It should be saved for marriage. A compromised view in this area has been the downfall of many and leads to a lifetime of pain for many. This section of Scripture also applies to those widowed. It is sad to see those who have lived a good Christian life compromise their testimony living inappropriately after the loss of a spouse. It is worth the effort and commitment to honor God in this area of life. Doing so brings GREAT pleasure in a relationship and also brings God’s blessing.
V. 5-6 Tells us the to not be covetous. Covetous has the meaning of wanting what someone else has. If the world obeyed the instruction in v. 5-6 all commerce would practically stop. The world runs on the spirit of wanting what someone else has. The tone in his instruction, however, has the underlying understanding that in the root of covetousness is denying that God can and will meet our needs. He admonishes that we are to be BOLD in our FAITH in God, WAITING if necessary for Him to meet our need. It is good to WAIT on GOD. It is not only a witness to others of God’s faithfulness in our lives, but it is also a witness to us that He is indeed FAITHFUL, time and time again.
V. 7 tells us to follow our leaders, but not blindly. He makes several interesting points in this verse. First he comments that those who have rule should be guiding and instructing others in God’s Word, and not just sharing their own philosophy of life. He also makes the point that those who have rule should have a faith worth following, considering the end of their manor of life, where it will take them..the end result of living that way. It is very good to follow and apply spiritual habits and perspectives of a Godly life.
V. 8-9 reminds us not to be carried away with trends and ideas that are NEW to us unless they meet the test of scripture. God/Jesus is THE SAME yesterday, today and FOREVER. Same old is NOT bad if God is in it. God is never outdated. The TRUTHS that He shows us are NEVER outdated. He reminds us in V.9 that it is a good thing to establish our heart in the understanding that His GRACE is sufficient! We cannot add to our standing with God by adding anything. Observances, especially new ones, can be very deceiving, so be careful what new trend you follow!
Read v 10-4. He continues to remind them that now that they have begun their NEW LIFE in Christ that they DO NOT FIT IN to their old lifestyle anymore. To live as instructed in this book we need to TAKE SERIOUS the NEW LIFE and its ways that are offered. The Hebrews received stern WARNINGS that they should not deny the power offered to them in their NEW LIFE. This meant LEAVING BEHIND some of their old ways. For a new believer, some of the old temple practices were actually OFFENSIVE to God. They were being told to LEAVE THESE PRACTICES BEHIND, being called outside the camp, so to speak, to worship Christ. This has parallel to us today in that God is calling us outside of the world, calling us OUT to live unto Him. Heb. 11:13-6. (READ)
V. 15-6 reminds us to give God the credit for the good that He has blessed us with in our life. And, …to share that good(good news)that we have received with others.
He reminds them again to obey those that have been given charge with the keeping of the Body of Christ, i.e. the Church. If they are truly Godly men they are keeping watch over each one in the Body with the intent of seeing them be established and become mature in the faith. Submitting to their over site is beneficial, beneficial to them making their job joyful, even though it may be challenging, and beneficial to you, allowing them to help you in your journey. This is not to say that we should follow them blindly. To the contrary. But, submitting to good leaders is beneficial to the Body of Christ. Resisting them often causes discord and is not of Christ.
V. 18-9 reminds them that they are connected together by prayer and asks for prayer that he may be reunited with them sooner than it appears that it will be. He apparently had the intention of reconnecting with them and it looked as though he would be detained. Some believe that this could possibly have reference to the Apostle Paul and it may have reference to his being in prison.
V. 20-2 The benediction… (READ). He closes with ‘the God of Peace’ made possible through the blood of the Everlasting covenant. Again, note the sweet tone of this passage.
V. 22 encourages them to ‘bear the word of exhortation’. The writer knows that he has asked a lot of them. He does not apologize for the content or length of his letter, but instead asks them to be responsible and receive it.
V. 22-5 Timothy is mentioned and then gives his final parting words. It is likely that the writer did not end his contact with this church here. It is probable that he followed up on them, encouraging and instructing them further, if the situation allowed, to help establish them in the faith. We also need to remember that this is not the end of this study…leaving this behind and going on to the next thing is not what God intended.
READ Heb. 10:24-5 Our faith is meant to be lived out in community. Being accountable to each other can spur us on to ESTABLISH the Christian faith in practical living. In v. 25 it says “to forsake not the assembling of ourselves together” and to “exhort one another, and so much more as you see the day approaching.” May this be so.
· Choose faith as your default option
· Look for God in your day
· Walk through the door(s) God places before you small/simple or large/beyond your ability
Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- Rick Norsigian kept two boxes he bought at a garage sale under his pool table for four years before realizing they may be too valuable to store at home.
The Fresno, California, commercial painter learned this week that what was in those boxes he paid $45 dollars for a decade ago could be worth more than $200 million.
"When I heard that $200 million, I got a little weak," Norsigian said at a Beverly Hills art gallery Tuesday.
Art, forensic, handwriting and weather experts teamed up to conclude the 65 glass plates in the boxes were photographic negatives created more than 80 years ago by Ansel Adams, the iconic American photographer whose images of the West inspired the country.
RELATED TOPICS
Arnold Peter, the lawyer who led the effort to authenticate that the negatives were made by the man known as the father of American photography, said their approach was "to put these negatives on trial."
Experts, including a former FBI agent and a U.S. attorney, "came to the conclusion that, based on the evidence which was overwhelming, that no reasonable person would have any doubt that these, in fact, were the long-lost images of Ansel Adams," Arnold said.
The photographs were from the early career of the famed nature photographer, a period that is not well documented since a 1937 darkroom fire destroyed 5,000 of his plates, Arnold said.
"It truly is a missing link of Ansel Adams and history and his career," said Beverly Hills appraiser and art dealer David W. Streets.
The photographs were taken between 1919 and the early 1930s at locations familiar to Adams, mostly around Yosemite, California, Streets said.
"This is going to show the world the evolution of his eye, of his talent, of his skill, his gift, but also his legacy," Streets said.
"And it's a portion that we thought had been destroyed in the studio fire."
Norsigian, who scours garage sales for antiques, was looking for a barber chair when he spotted to two deteriorated boxes in the spring of 2000.
"When I pulled on of those glass negatives out, I seen Yosemite," he said. "As a young man, I worked at Yosemite quite a bit. So, right away I recognized it as Yosemite."
He bickered with the seller, finally negotiating down from $70 to $45 for the boxes. The owner said he bought them in the 1940s at a warehouse salvage in Los Angeles. He bickered the price down from $70 to $45.
It would be two years before he realized they photos may be from Adams, he said. After four years, he had done enough research to realize the plates could be valuable. He moved them from under his pool table and placed them in a bank vault.
How these 6.5 x 8.5 inch glass plate negatives of famous Yosemite landscapes and San Francisco landmarks -- some of them with fire damage -- made their way from Adams collection 70 years ago to a Southern California garage sale in 2000 can only be guessed.
Photography expert Patrick Alt, who helped confirm the authenticity of the negatives, suspects Adams carried them to use in a photography class he was teaching in Pasadena, California, in the early 1940s.
No comments:
Post a Comment