Page 25 - June 2025 - Truth & Tidings

Encouragement (10:32-39) of the indescribable joy, peace and hope
Despite having to warn the Hebrews that filled their hearts. Second, they were to
so solemnly, the writer was convinced of recall how they endured “much conflict of
sufferings” (JND). On one hand, they were
their salvation. He was also conscious that made a public spectacle (i.e., as in a theatre,
ongoing exposure to persecution presented 1Co 4:9) and derided with reproaches
a real temptation for the fainthearted to and afflictions. On the other, they became
abandon the faith. To prevent the “bruised partakers with others who were treated
reed” from being broken and the “faintly the same way. How encouraging it is to
burning wick” from being quenched (Isa know that God recognises any measure of
42:3 ESV), the writer follows with words
of encouragement to hold fast, endure suffering or persecution for Christ’s sake.
and remain faithful. To this end, the writer Third, they should remember that they
appeals to their mind and calls them to re- manifested a Christlike sympathy for those
member their experience and resolve in for- imprisoned for their faith. Having compas-
mer days, that endurance will be rewarded sion for believers undergoing suffering
in a future day, and that God expects the while they also were suffering was indeed
righteous to live by faith every day. worthy of praise (cf. Mat 25:36-40; 2Ti 1:16-
Remember Their Experience and 18). Fourth, they suffered the confiscation
of their material possessions. Having “re-
Resolve in Former Days (10:32-34) ceived the knowledge of the truth” (Heb
To strengthen the Hebrew believers, the 10:26), material loss was to them inconse-
writer exhorts them to “call to remem- quential, for they knew they had “a better
brance the former days” (v32). There are possession and a lasting one” (v34 NASB).
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four things he would have them constantly How could they accept it joyfully? By faith.
remember. First, they are to remember their While they had “not seen” Jesus Christ,
conversion experience, how they “were by “believing” they were able to “rejoice
illuminated” (or “enlightened” as in 6:4). with joy unspeakable and full of glory”
On account of professing faith in the Lord even though they were “for a season … in
Jesus Christ, God saved them and “shined heaviness through manifold temptations”
in [their] hearts, to give the light of the (1Pe 1:6-8). Perhaps they held dear the
knowledge of the glory of God in the face of words of Christ: “Blessed are they which
Jesus Christ” (2Co 4:6). Remembering their are persecuted for righteousness’ sake ….
conversion would doubtless remind them Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great
is your reward in heaven” (Mat 5:10-12).
1 Bible quotations in this article are from the KJV
unless otherwise noted. All this proved they were saved and glad
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