REASONS TO ENDURE SUFFERING Since there have been so many men of faith before, the writer asked his readers to follow their example. The men and women of the previous chapter are witnesses of the faith and are now watching us to see who will be faithful. They are described as a "cloud of witnesses... [ Continue Reading ]
SUFFERING CAN BE A FORM OF DISCIPLINE There is a hint the Hebrews were slowing in their fight or race and had forgotten the exhortations of their childhood. The author quoted Proverbs 3:11-12 as an exhortation, reminding the Hebrews God was not angry with them. Instead, He was showing His love by ... [ Continue Reading ]
AN EXHORTATION TO CONTINUE TO THE END OF THE RACE The writer urged the Hebrews to take strength from knowing God loved them and continue the race. To aid in this, he encouraged them to choose as straight and even a path as possible. Following such a course prevents jostling weaker ones and making i... [ Continue Reading ]
BETTER ACCESS TO GOD THAN WAS AT SINAI So, a careful watch should be kept to avoid the kind of attitude that would cause one to give up his birthright. This is especially true since we labor under a new covenant. Esau lived during the Patriarchal Age, when God spoke to the fathers and directed the f... [ Continue Reading ]
AN INVITATION TO COME TO THE UNSHAKABLE KINGDOM The earth shook when God spoke to his people at Sinai. The reference to a second shaking comes from Haggai 2:6-9. This shaking would be directly related with the coming of the Messiah, who is represented as the desire of all nations. It is to continue... [ Continue Reading ]