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s we have observed, the writer emn warning against departure is given.
has firmly exhorted the Hebrews, Further observations will prove help-
Aas sons of God, to press on in the ful to interpreting the warning. Note
race (12:1-3), and has reminded them of the use of the pronoun “ye” throughout
the principle and purpose of chastening (vv18,22,25), and once again the writer’s
(vv4-13). We must endure it and not inclusion of himself (“we,” “us,” “our,”
despise it, nor faint when being reproved vv25,28,29). The pronouns “they” and
by the Lord, because afterwards it yields “them” (vv19,20,25) refer to Israel at
the peaceable fruit of righteousness. The Sinai after they had been redeemed by
writer has also cautioned the Hebrews the blood of a lamb, delivered from
to look out for certain perils (vv14-17), the house of bondage, and had passed
one of which is forfeiting our birthright through the Red Sea. There they received
privileges. For this imperative, Esau is the Old Covenant and were bound to
1
set forth as an example for us to solemnly it by blood and the word of their brittle
consider and be instructed by. promise (8:7,9; 9:18-20; Exo 24:3-8; Jer
With this context, the last section (vv18- 31:32). Typically, Israel at Sinai pictures
29) is devoted to the spiritual recovery the believer redeemed by the precious
of weary and wayward Christians – the blood of Christ, delivered from bondage
faint, despondent, despising and lame; and the burden of sin, and baptised into
the bitter-hearted, carnal and profane. one body (1Pe 1:19; 1Co 10:1-2; 12:13).
Its purpose is to promote well-pleasing Positionally, however, the Hebrews are
priestly service marked by “reverence and no longer as those at Sinai which “corre-
godly fear” (v28), and to this end, a sol- sponds to Jerusalem” on earth, but by faith
2
have entered “Jerusalem above” (12:22;
1 As we have noted, Esau is not typical of the Gal 4:7-9,21-31 JND). They are no longer
apostate, but the child of God who possesses bound to the Old Covenant and its legal
eternal life and awaits the attainment of future obligations, conditional blessings and se-
blessing, yet by impiety and carnal indulgences vere penalties, but by faith are partakers
has renounced the rights and privileges of of the benefits of the New Covenant and
firstborn sons.
2 Bible quotations in this article are from the KJV its superior, immutable and unconditional
unless otherwise noted. promises (8:7-13; 9:14-15; 10:1,9; 12:24).
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