Hebrews 12:25-29
The preceding exhortation (vv4-13) speaks to us as to sons, and reminds us of the chastening we must endure at the hand of God for the purpose of being instructed, trained and fitted for sharing in His kingdom and glory. In verses 14-24, the exhortation speaks to us as firstborn sons upon whom are bestowed, by the grace of God, elevated birthright privileges and prospects.
The Character to Be Pursued (12:14)
The first imperative calls for the development of character: “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (12:14).1 Sons are to be marked by peace, like the “God of peace,” and to earnestly pursue it with all diligence (cf. Rom 14:19; 1Pe 3:11). It is not “peace at all cost,” which might compromise holiness, but rather, “if it be possible, as far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all men” (Rom 12:18 NKJV). “Holiness” is a noun preceded by the definite article (lit. “the sanctification”) and points us to our heavenly calling and separated position (3:1; cf. Eph 1:4; 1Th 4:3-7; 2Ti 1:9). Remembering that God’s purpose in chastisement is to cultivate His holy character within us (Heb 12:10), we are to pursue a life consistent with the separated position to which we have been called and from which we will one day, with glorified bodies, see the Lord.
The Perils to Be Avoided (12:15-17)
The second imperative exhorts us to look carefully for three perils (see “lest” in 12:15-17). “Looking diligently” is translated “exercising oversight” in 1 Peter 5:2 (JND) – an exhortation for elders who “watch for your souls” (Heb 13:17). Watchfulness is necessary for every believer in the race, and a hallmark of mature sons conscious of personal responsibilities, perilous dangers and prospective rewards (e.g., Luk 21:36; Eph 6:18). The perils we are to look for are “any falling short of the grace of God” (Newberry), “any root of bitterness springing up,” and “any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau …” The language is difficult and subject to different interpretations depending on how one views the persons referred to. Considering the context, we maintain that the Holy Spirit is exhorting us all to be on the lookout for failure in ourselves and others in the assembly rather than for false professors.
The first peril is failing to attain all that divine grace makes possible through faith. The idea was introduced in 4:1, where the writer warns us all to “fear, lest … any of you should seem to come short” of the promise of entering His rest. Similarly, Paul said to the Galatian believers that those who sought to be “justified by the law” had “fallen [away] from grace” (Gal 5:4; cf. 2Co 6:1). At the infinite cost of His Son, God has freely given us all things (Rom 8:32). Yet, despite such inconceivable promises and privileges being made available to every child of God, it is sadly possible for us to fail to appropriate and enjoy all that grace provides now, as well as in a coming day (as we shall see from the example of Esau).
The second peril is a condition of heart that causes trouble and defilement among the Lord’s people. A heart that loves Christ will pursue peace, and will heed the exhortation: “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph 4:31-32 ESV). Roots of bitterness must be weeded from the heart, for if by carelessness and carnality they are left to sprout, they inevitably yield the fruit of strife and contention (Jas 3:10-14). And as “a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump” (1Co 5:6), a single root can defile “the2 many,” thus spoiling the sanctification of the assembly (1Co 3:17).
The third peril is an appetite for sensual or worldly things with no regard for “holiness” (Heb 12:14). The sin of sexual immorality (of any kind) is not to be tolerated whatsoever (e.g., 1Co 5:9-13; 6:18; Eph 5:3; Col 3:5; 1Th 4:3-4; Heb 13:4). The word for “profane” does not mean desecration or open wickedness, but rather unhallowed or common. Literally, it is a lawful threshold, open and accessible for all to walk over. Such a person would be marked by indifference, permissiveness and tolerance, with no sensitivity to holy things nor appreciation for spiritual privileges (cf. Heb 10:29).
Esau was the firstborn son of Isaac (Gen 25:25; 27:32), who “for one morsel of meat sold his birthrights [plural]” (Heb 12:16) to his younger brother, Jacob (Gen 25:32-34). He was profane in that he despised his spiritual privileges, preferring to indulge in instant, fleshly gratification. Consequently, he suffered the loss of the birthright blessing associated with the firstborn son. “Afterward,” he sought to recoup the blessing (i.e., “it,” v17) but could not find any way for Isaac to change his mind (Gen 27:36-38). Esau was a legitimate son (Heb 12:8) and still received a blessing, but not that of a firstborn (11:20; Gen 27:39-40).
To firstborn sons were granted the highest of privileges. They were to inherit preeminence and authority to rule (Gen 27:37; cf. 1Sa 20:28-29), a place of nearness (Gen 43:33), priestly privileges (Num 8:18), and a double portion of the father’s estate (Deu 21:17; cf. 2Ch 21:3). While Reuben is not named in Hebrews, he was Jacob’s firstborn son, who forfeited birthright privileges by fornication (Gen 49:3-4; 1Ch 5:1). His right to the double portion was given to Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and Manasseh (Gen 48:8-20), and his authority to hold the sceptre was given to Judah (Gen 49:10). Similarly, God gave the priestly privileges to Levi (Num 3:5-13,41; 8:15-19).
The warning from Esau is that we, as firstborn sons, may forfeit our birthright privileges by carelessness, carnality and misconduct. “Afterward,” at the judgment seat of Christ, the Lord Himself will bestow the “recompense of the inheritance” (Col 3:24 YLT). Some will “receive a reward,” some will “suffer loss,” and some “shall receive for the wrong which he hath done” (1Co 3:14-15; Col 3:25). Accordingly, the retention of our birthrights in authority to rule, priestly service, and our heavenly portion in the kingdom will be judged according to the measure of our present fidelity and faithfulness and our esteem of spiritual and holy things. While He is “bringing many sons to glory,” there will be differences in glory in the resurrection (1Co 15:41-42).
1 Bible quotations in this article are from the KJV unless otherwise noted.
