The letter to the Hebrews has a captivating aura. It reveals deeply profound spiritual truth in language that is majestic and eloquent, articulate and incisive, solemn and compelling. It impresses the Spirit-filled mind with the glory of Christ’s eternal Person, Priesthood and, in Him, the infinite fulfillment of Messianic prophecy and type. It stirs the devoted soul with the hope of exceedingly glorious prospects: of being heirs with Christ to an eternal inheritance, and of dwelling with Christ in His kingdom. It fills the hands with sweet incense beaten small and points the heart aflame with burning coals to the heavenly sanctuary where Christ is, to engage in true spiritual worship.
Yet, the chief objective of the letter is exhortation. Not only is this obvious from the writer’s heartfelt appeals and admonitions, but the writer says so himself: “I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words” (13:22). 1 Hence, with a few God-breathed words directed at the heart and conscience, the writer throughout sustains an urgent appeal to his beloved brethren to remain steadfast in their faith and loyalty to Christ. Faith would enable them to behold their heavenly position in Christ and its attendant spiritual privileges and prospects still yet hoped for. Loyalty would strengthen them to withstand persecution and reproach, to endure severe tests of faith, and to resist the temptation to give up and go back to Judaism.
The thread of exhortations is worthy of daily reflection; we need to pay serious attention to the Word of God (2:1). We should consider carefully (or observe fully) the glory and faithfulness of our Lord, Christ Jesus (3:1). It is imperative that we hear His voice today (3:7,13,15; 4:7), give diligence to entering into His rest (4:11), and exercise our God-given privilege to come boldly (or draw near) to Him upon the throne of grace (4:16). We must move on from the milk of infants to the meat of adults (5:12-14) and therewith press on to maturity (6:1). We must draw near to God with a true heart (10:22), holding steadfastly the confession of our hope (10:23), and we ought to consider one another, love one another, gather together with one another, help one another, and exhort and encourage one another (10:24-25). We must abandon all things that impede spiritual progress, and pursue the course with patient endurance (12:1), while considering attentively the Lord Jesus Christ who endured the severest of trials (12:2-3). It is our duty to pursue peace and purity, and look carefully for dangers that lead to irrecoverable forfeiture of birthright privileges (12:12-15). In chapter 13 (which we haven’t considered), the writer issues several heartfelt exhortations, the tenor of which is this: “Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach” (13:13).
Each exhortation is supported by a rich exposition of truth, demonstrable evidence and examples from the Old Testament, and endearing words of encouragement. The combined force of each exhortation calls for unwavering affection and unstinting devotion to God’s beloved Son, who loved us and gave Himself for us. It also calls for steadfast endurance against giving up under sore trial and chastisement. While the writer affectionately empathises with the Hebrews’ persecution and suffering, he tackles the key obstacle to their progress in the Christian race – unbelief. They had not exercised faith. Consequently, they could not grasp invisible, eternal and spiritual realities and were taken up with temporal and material things. Thus, an entire chapter is devoted to rekindling faith.
Each exhortation is also supplemented with an earnest warning. Why? The consequences of not heeding the exhortations are real and may be felt here via God’s chastisement, or afterward at the time of review by recompense and reward. Either way, the implications are solemn, perilous, and can have irreversible outcomes. For these reasons, harsh and confronting terms are used to warn and admonish the readers of the letter. Nonetheless, they are issued with sincere, fervent affection and tender care, for “whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth” (12:6).
We are warned against drifting from the Word and neglecting the full orb and blessing of God’s salvation (2:1-3). We are cautioned against hardening the heart, withdrawing from God, unbelief and disobedience (3:7-4:11). Strong admonition is directed towards apathy, laziness and lagging behind in spiritual development, and a warning is issued against falling alongside, whether by trespass, erring or barrenness (5:11-6:8). Solemn warnings are sounded against sinning wilfully, despising holy things and shrinking back from God (10:25-31). Finally, we are warned against despising the chastening of the Lord (12:5), falling short of attaining God’s grace through bitterness, immorality and insensitivity to divine things (12:15-16), and refusing to listen to the One speaking from heaven (12:25).
The warnings in Hebrews are as relevant for us today as for those to whom the letter was first addressed. God has exercised infinite grace to redeem us from eternal judgment and to share with us the righteous standing and glory of His beloved Son. And since the redemption of our souls cost no less than the death of His Son, if we continue to ignore His Word, persist in wilful disobedience and sin, or do not develop in grace as we ought, God will not leave us alone without doing something about it. Thus, He chastens us, not to discourage us but to develop Christ-like character and capacity that is fitting for future spheres of service in the kingdom.
It is for this reason that the writer so often emphasises the incomprehensible privileges belonging to sons, and lays grave warnings upon dismissing the associated responsibilities. Hence, the warnings are directed to our hearts so that we do not forsake our privileges, but that we, “as obedient children” (1Pe 1:13-15), fulfil our obligations as sons of God who are “called … unto his kingdom and glory” (1Th 2:12).
We maintain that not one of the exhortations and warnings can be rightly understood nor obeyed by the unsaved. And it is a grievous mistake to press such tenets upon unbelievers (as Godless religion so often does), for no amount of steadfastness, obedience and good works in the unregenerate can yield the peaceable fruit of righteousness nor attain inheritance and reward. The writer’s objective, therefore, is not concerned with the unsaved, but with “holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling” (Heb 3:1).
“Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (Heb 13:20-21).
1 Bible quotations in this article are from the KJV.
