|
|
Post by Admin on Oct 23, 2016 19:30:49 GMT -6
10:32 But remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings, 33 partly by being made a public spectacle through reproaches and tribulations, and partly by becoming sharers with those who were so treated. 34 For you showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and a lasting one. 35 Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. 37 For yet in a very little while, He who is coming will come, and will not delay. 38 But My righteous one shall live by faith; And if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in him. 39 But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul. 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the men of old gained approval. 3 By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible. 4 By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks. 5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; and he was not found because God took him up; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. 7 By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. 8 By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; 10 for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 11 By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore there was born even of one man, and him as good as dead at that, as many descendants as the stars of heaven in number, and innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore. 13 All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. 15 And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them. 17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; 18 it was he to whom it was said, “In Isaac your descendants shall be called.” 19 He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back as a type. 20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even regarding things to come. 21 By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders concerning his bones. 23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. 24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26 considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that he who destroyed the firstborn would not touch them. 29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as though they were passing through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. 31 By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace. 32 And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, 33 who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; 36 and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated 38 (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground. 39 And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect. 12:1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
|
|
JB
•
Dedicated TruthSeeker
Posts: 308
Likes: 42
Gender: Male
|
Post by JB on Oct 25, 2016 21:50:34 GMT -6
HEB 10:32 But remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings, 33 partly by being made a public spectacle through reproaches and tribulations, and partly by becoming sharers with those who were so treated. 34 For you showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and a lasting one.
The context (10:29-31) describes how terrifying it is to fall into the hands of a vengeful, living God if you trample on Christ by turning your back on the blood of His covenant.
In the current verses, the writer addresses specific Christians who are on the verge of doing that, perhaps by returning to the Law and its covenant. We’ll find out why shortly.
He begins by reminding them of the risks they were willing to take for Christ when they first saw the light and accepted Jesus’ sacrifice for themselves. They were unwavering and unstoppable. They endured a great deal of conflict and suffered for their faith. They were put on display, mocked, and persecuted and they ministered to others who endured such circumstances.
Do you remember how bold and unstoppable you were in the beginning? For me, there was nothing I wanted to do during my days more than study, pray, minister, and speak the good news to others. I was in jail at the time, which was not exactly the most conducive environment. I was mocked by old friends. I was watched with suspicion by those who knew the terribly ungodly way I had lived. But none of that mattered to me. I was a kingdom builder, in love with my Lord, full of concern for those who didn’t know Him, and ready to alter every plan I had in my life for His cause if He wanted me to.
My faith has, regrettably, become more “tame” over the years. Back then you could pick me out of a crowd by the way I prioritized and lived. Today I look a lot more like other people around me. I still love God very much and serve Him in many ways, but I’m not the great big bundle of spiritually-charged energy that I was back then.
Maybe that’s OK? I don’t know. Looking around at other Christians, it certainly seems “normal.” Or is this tameness a potential stepping stone toward the state of the Christians in Hebrews, who were ready to throw it all away? Is run-of-the-mill, ordinary Christian living the beginning of ending up there?
HEB 10:35 Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.
“Do not throw away your confidence.” That’s an interesting way for the writer to get to the point. If they turn away there will be, as he wrote in v.26, no more sacrifice for sins. They will no longer be confident that they will be presented before God as pure.
There is one thing they could remain confident about, though, and that is “a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire” (v.27).
The implied question is “why would you turn your back on knowing you will be saved through Jesus’ blood and be left with only God’s wrath to look forward to?
HEB 10:36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. 37 For yet in a very little while, He who is coming will come, and will not delay. 38 But My righteous one shall live by faith; And if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in him. 39 But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul.
The promise is God’s, the endurance is theirs. Without it they will not receive the promise. Keep on keeping on, even when you’re weak. You maintained your faith during the times of great oppression. How can you turn back now?
For the original readers, the answer is that approximately 35 years had passed since Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension and He had still not returned to usher in the kingdom.
“Where is He? Is this whole thing bogus? Maybe this sacrificial blood and forgiveness by grace thing was a lie. If so, I’d better get back to the bull and goat sacrifices I formerly trusted in for my forgiveness.”
Live by faith. He WILL come. You WILL receive what He promised. If you shrink back now, God will have no pleasure in you.
What is faith, you ask?
HEB 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
It couldn’t be clearer. You don’t see Jesus yet? But you’ve hoped for Him, right? So if you believe, be assured. He will come. Don’t ask God to prove it to you. That would require no faith at all. Believe. Be convicted.
Do you want examples of what that looks like in practice? Glad you asked. Faith in what is not seen is nothing new.
HEB 11:2 For by it the men of old gained approval.
You already hold up great men of the past as role models, and they are wonderful examples believed assuredly without seeing fulfillment. Let’s examine their faith.
HEB 11:3 By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.
We’ll start with the basics. You believe God spoke the world into existence, right? Did you see that happen? No. You know it through faith in what you didn’t see.
HEB 11:4 By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks. 5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; and he was not found because God took him up; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
Abel and Enoch did nothing special except believe in and act upon what they could not see. God rewarded them. But let’s look at examples that are more specific.
HEB 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. 8 By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; 10 for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 11 By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore there was born even of one man, and him as good as dead at that, as many descendants as the stars of heaven in number, and innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.
At God’s command, Noah built an ark for protection from rain even though he could not see rain.
At God’s calling, Abraham journeyed to places he knew nothing about in order to find a promise that he had to logical reason to think he would receive. And when he got there, it was nothing like a promised land, yet he continued to believe and trust God.
Sarah believed God would cause an impossible pregnancy in her that would make Abraham the father of innumerable offspring.
HEB 11:13 All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.
Those people took action because they believed promises even though they couldn’t see the fulfillment. In fact, Noah, Abraham, and Sarah died before they could see those great descendants God promised, yet they died in faith.
The original readers had to understand the writer’s point by now – Jesus may have not come back to bring salvation after 35-ish years, but backing out now goes against the example set by the great people of God that you believe in. God has shown that He always fulfills His promises, though not always how and when we expect it. He does things in His own timing. Jesus may not even come in your lifetime. Regardless, you must continue to have “assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” in order to not subject yourselves to God’s fury.
The key to how these great examples of faith kept on believing without seeing is that they “confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.”
If you are like me, that statement from v.13 resonates with your personal experience. The times when my faith weakens are when I turn my eyes to the promises, comforts, desires, and values of this world. I see circumstances that make it appear that I’m about to be “uncomfortable.” It looks like things are crashing in around me. Job, family, friends, home, finances, health, etc. appear to be threatened, but in fact they aren’t – they may be on their way to becoming different from what I want or even expect, different from what I am used to. But if this world was truly not my home, if I genuinely believed my citizenship was in heaven and I longed only to redeem and then escape from this fallen world, then my faith would not falter. But it does, and that’s the reason. At that moment I’m not thinking of myself as a stranger and exile on this earth.
HEB 11:14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. 15 And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return.
Can a genuine believer turn away? Yes. Noah, Abraham, and Sarah kept their minds fixed on the heavenly country – the promises of God - toward which they were moving. But if along the way they were cleaving to what they were leaving more than to what they were believing, God would let them turn back.
HEB 11:16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.
Turn back in your lack of faith if you must. Just know that God will be ashamed if you still call Him your God.
HEB 11:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; 18 it was he to whom it was said, “In Isaac your descendants shall be called.” 19 He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back as a type. 20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even regarding things to come. 21 By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders concerning his bones.
These stories show that faith in unfulfilled promises passed from generation to generation. Not only did Abraham not see the fulfillment, but neither did his son, grandsons, great-grandson, or generations even after that. They all believed despite the fact that their fathers died without seeing the promise fulfilled.
And you’re ready to jump ship because Jesus hasn’t come back yet after a mere 35 years? Seriously?!?
HEB 11:23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. 24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26 considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that he who destroyed the firstborn would not touch them. 29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as though they were passing through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. 31 By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace.
There’s a tiny little key phrase here in verse 27: Moses “endured, as seeing Him who is unseen.” Generation after generation, they kept believing the promises and died without acquiring them.
And my faith sometimes grows weak after a day or two. For shame.
HEB 11:32 And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, 33 who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; 36 and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated 38 (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground.
Wow. My walk with God seems pretty miniscule after I read all of this. If I’m here during the great tribulation, I pray that God will make me like these men and women. I like to think my faith will be strong enough to endure, but I also pray that God will prevent me from self-delusion about that.
HEB 11:39 And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect.
And there it is. The answer to why none of the people mentioned above saw what they so faithfully believed in come to pass. God could not bring fulfillment in their times. He had other promises to make and fulfill which He didn’t reveal to them – particularly the sacrifice of Christ that overlaid reality on the shadowy regulations of the Law. Until our day – that is, until the time after Christ’s resurrection – those Old Testament people of God couldn’t be perfected. But God’s promises to them in earthly symbols (e.g., blood sacrifice, Promised Land) pointed forward to eternal fulfillment through Christ – even for those who believed back then.
HEB 12:1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
We circle back around now to the starting point of this section. Even though Jesus hasn’t come yet, “do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward” (10:35). Instead, “fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (12:2).
Jesus is the ultimate example of pressing forward in faith even when circumstances seem hopeless.
Readers are advised to put aside everything that weighs them down, using the analogy of running a race. If you’ve ever tried to run with weights on your ankles or arms, you know that when you take them off you fly like the wind! That’s the imagery the writer of Hebrews is using. Not that this race is competitive, though. Everyone who runs to the end wins. The point of the analogy isn’t not competition, it is keeping a single goal in mind – salvation – and moving with all your being toward it. Don’t let the stuff of your humanity – such as doubts, fears, impatience – weigh you down.
Get rid of those weights.
|
|
