Hebrews 12:25

See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:

Refuse not - through unbelief. As the blood of sprinkling speaks to God for us (Hebrews 12:24), so God also speaks to us (Hebrews 1:1). His word now preludes the last 'shaking' of all things, Hebrews 12:27. The same word which is heard in the Gospel from heaven will shake heaven and earth, Hebrews 12:26.

Who refused him, [ paraiteesamenoi (G3868), without hoi (G3588)] - 'declining as they did.' Their submissive entreaty that the word should not be spoken by God anymore (Hebrews 12:19), covered over refractory hearts, as their subsequent deeds showed (Hebrews 3:16).

That spake, [ ton (G3588) chreematizonta (G5537)] - with oracular warnings His divine will.

If we turn away, [ hoi (G3588) apostrefomenoi (G654)] - 'we who turn away;' greater refractoriness than "refused" or 'declined.'

Him that speaketh from heaven - God, by His Son in the Gospel, speaking from His heavenly throne. Hence, Christ's frequent mention of 'the kingdom of the heavens' (Greek, Matthew 4:17). In giving the law, God spake on earth (namely, Mount Sinai) by angels (Hebrews 2:2: cf. Hebrews 1:2). In Exodus 20:22, "I talked with you from heaven;" not the highest heavens (as here), but the visible heavens, the clouds, are meant, out of which God proclaimed the law.