Jephthah (Judges 11:1-12:7)

Jephthah was a man of unfortunate life circumstances. Born the son of a harlot he was considered an outsider by the community even though his father Gilead the son of Machir was the founder of the Gileadites and was the grandson of Manasseh. Nonetheless Jephthah’s father instead of covering up his liaison will bring Jephthah into his home and raise him as his own son. Which speaks to his integrity and love for Jephthah. In time Gilead’s wife also bore him sons but Jephthah being the son of a “strange women” never held their favor. And when Gilead dies Jephthah’s brothers along with the community elders unceremoniously disinherit him and drive him away even though Jephthah is the first-born son and rightful heir (Judges 11:2, 7). In other words Jephthah’s genealogy should’ve put him in line to inherit his father’s position as tribal head of the Gileadites. But having no means of appeal Jephthah to save his life flees to the land of Tob. (Now Japheth’s being disinherited and driven away reminds of the Lord Jesus’ parable to Israel’s elders when in it Jesus says to them that they too seek to kill the rightful heir and steal his inheritance for themselves). Now Tob was a land whose name meant bountiful but in reality was a frontier town beyond the eastern boundaries of Gilead before the Syrian Desert. Once there the disenfranchised Jephthah will assemble a “band of raiders” (What the New King James Version calls worthless men); and will go out raiding the surrounding region. Now unlike Abimelech Gideon’s illegitimate son who likewise assembled men to himself and then murdered all but one of Gideon’s legitimate sons in a power grab. Jephthah’s return will not come by his own designs. But by the Sovereign hand of God when in a move of desperation the elders of Gilead because of a looming Ammonite invasion seek out Jephthah whose reputation, as a man of valor had become well known throughout the territory. Ironically then it will be the same elders that drove Jephthah away that will now seek his help in their time of need. On this point the Believers Bible Commentary notes: “In some ways Jephthah reminds us of the Lord Jesus: There was a shadow over his birth and he was rejected by his brethren. When they got into bondage they remembered him and called upon him as their savior; and in agreeing to help the Gileadites, Jephthah agreed to be their savior but insisted on being their lord as well.”^[i]

Thus Jephthah’s initial reply to them when they seek him in the land of Tob, “Did you not hate me, and expel me from my father’s house? Why have you come to me now when you are in distress?” ^{Judges 11:7} Reveals the less then cordial manner in which he was exiled.

Yet Jephthah’s further reply “if you take me home to fight against the Ammonites and the Lord delivers them to me will I be your head?” Reveals that Jephthah believed Gilead was his home and they were his brethren though initially he doubts their sincerity when they seek him out to help them. And it’s easy to see why. It’s hard to trust people who are so unscrupulous. Yet they’re acting no differently towards Jephthah then they acted towards the Lord God of Israel when they first sought Him out in their distress (See Judges 10:10-14).

Nonetheless Jephthah was no saint (nor were the people he will rescue). Jephthah like us all was a sinful man who like us all needed to repent of his own sins and that he will do at Mizpah where with Gilead’s elders and all the people assembled Jephthah will repeat his words before the Lord God of Israel (Judges 11:10-11). Meaning he will enter into a solemn covenant with God, in essence it is there where Jephthah experiences conversion. Now the name Mizpah is also important for it means watchtower, and it implies God’s watching over the affairs of the nation or an individual. Therefore it will be there that Jephthah defines himself as a man of God (not just by the great deliverance that God later works through him on the battlefield, 1 Sam. 12:11) but right there when Jephthah is reconciled back to his brethren and places his and the peoples fate in the Lord’s hand. Therefore it will be God who will lead His beleaguered people on to victory over the encroaching Ammonites. Still that God would anoint with His Spirit a man utterly disqualified according to some people’s interpretations of the Law (Deut. 23:1-3) speaks volumes of God’s redemptive prowess even in the Old Covenant era. Therefore God does not disqualify anyone from Himself based on their lives circumstances. Individuals are often born into circumstances that they cannot change and frequently do things in their lives they cannot undo. That is why we all need a Savior and not merely Law. Jephthah’s story then reminds us all that no one is excluded from the heavenly congregation who likewise repents and puts their faith in God.

Jephthah’s first move then will be to dispatch envoys to the Ammonite king to inquire as to why the aggression. The Ammonite kings response though is short and unapologetic. And with that Jephthah redispatches them to make his case clear and indisputable (Judges 11:14-28), and seeing that God honors Jephthah’s diplomacy efforts and anoints him with the Holy Spirit for battle. With that Jephthah moves his forces decisively towards the Ammonites.

Now Jephthah will make a vow before going into battle that if the Lord will grant him victory over Ammonites he will offer Him whoever comes out of his house first as a burnt offering. Meaning their life would be non-redeemable, and would have to be wholly sacrificed to the Lord. Similarly on the battlefields of life men and women often utter their own solemn promises to the Lord before facing their own battles. What sets Jephthah apart will not be that he avoids this, but that he will keep his word even if it costs him whom he loves most; his only child. In so doing Scripture will record Jephthah’s name amongst the great men of the era: Gideon, Barak, Samson, David and Samuel not for his skill on the battlefield but rather for his faithfulness to God. Jephthah then upon his victorious arrival home and seeing his daughter coming out of his house rejoicing is devastated. Yet it is his daughter who will affirm the solemn oath of her father and encourage him to keep his vow to the Lord. She only requests a few months to mourn her virginity with her friends on the mountains of Gilead, which Jephthah will grant her and upon her return they will mutually fulfill his vow to the Lord. Jephthah’s daughter will not marry and Scripture records that Jephthah himself will have no other children; Jephthah’s name and legacy will be left in the Lord’s care.

Thus in a strange twist of irony two illegitimate children (Jephthah and his daughter) will show themselves faithful to the Lord God of Israel by keeping their word to the Lord amidst a generation that frequently would not. Jephthah then stands for us all as a lesson that anyone regardless of their background or past lives can likewise hold high esteem in the eyes of Lord who measures all people not by their pedigree or by their mistakes rather by their commitment and faith to Him (1 Sam. 12:11; Heb. 11:32-40). 

Scripture Quotations:

The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.

Additional Resources Cited

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^[i]MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. 1997, c1995. Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments . Thomas Nelson: Nashville

Genealogies

Throughout the Bible genealogies have been carefully recorded for us. Now some of these pertain to the origins of mankind and the earliest of nations, while later ones pertain to the nation of Israel and it's origins; it's twelve tribes, it's leaders, and it's priesthood, all which always needed to be maintained since only the descendants of Levi could serve in the priesthood, with only the descendants of Aaron, Moses brother, could serve as high priest. And so genealogies are very important in the Word of God for it is through these that we follow aspects of human history and the development of the nations; specifically Israel, the nation God choose for Himself to bring forth His Son into the world; and so through them we see the linage that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ followed in becoming a Man to enter into the humanity for us all. Thus Matthew 1:1-17 and Luke 3:23-38 record how the Promised Seed, Savior and Christ, God's only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ came into the world, not exclusively through the descendants of Israel, nor of Aaron, nor of David, but while respecting these lineages, (and descending through them), Jesus Christ specifically became flesh (that is He became a full human being) for us all through the first man Adam, the first man who sinned, and who by doing so brought sin not only into himself, but all of creation. And so it is by Adam that all of humanity dies, (indeed all of creation), for when sin entered the world so did death, and thus through Adam we have our universal alienation from God. For all of us trace our ancestry right back to Adam, the first man, the head of the human race. And so that is our ancestry, whether Jew or Gentile, or any of the sub-divisions, Caucasian, African, Asian, or Aboriginal or however you choose to identify yourself; you and I are all descendants of Adam, and as such you and I are by our being descendants of Adam are born into an alienation from God through sin. And that is the universal condition of us all, alienated from God with no means to restore ourselves back to Him.
Therefore the Lord Jesus Christ in order to restore humanity back to God Himself when He became a Man He did not do so exclusively through the Nation of Israel (though critical for His for His fulfilling God's Word and establishing His Kingdom, and thus His Throne and Priesthood by which He will Rule humanity), He did so through the first man Adam. So that He might take the place of Adam as the Head of the human race, and by suffering Crucifixion death in our place, so that the death penalty having been paid for all our sins and transgressions (from Adam's onward) by Christ's own shed blood, He might now redeem each and everyone one of us from sin and death who believe in Him, and thus by doing so restore us all who believe in Him back to God (John 3:16).
The Book of Romans chapter five (5:12-21) expounds this truth most wonderfully, stating: ¹⁸ Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. ¹⁹ For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. Rom. 5:18-19
Therefore when anyone comes to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ they have not only remission of all their sins and transgressions, and new and everlasting life, but we are a new creation in Christ with a new ancestral pedigree that now begins and ends with Christ the firstborn from the dead (Col 1:15-17). For you and I who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ are not only brought to Spirit life (i.e. are born-again) the moment we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ Crucified and Raised from the dead, but in being transferred out of the realm of sin and death (thus Satan's domain and realm) we are no longer identified with Adam in the sight of God, but only with Christ. Thus when any Christian wants to understand their own "genealogy" let us all now remember that it all starts and ends with Christ. For in being born again by God's Holy Spirit we are united with Christ in every aspect of His Death and Resurrection Life, and so we not only died to all our sins and transgressions In Christ's death but He is now our only Lord and Saviour, who by His own Righteousness has given us a Justified standing in the sight of God our Father forever. And so it is the Lord Jesus Christ who is the head of us all who believe in Him not Adam. Therefore whatever you once were in the flesh you are not now in Christ, for In Christ old things have passed away, all things have become new (2 Cor. 5:17). Therefore I urge you who believe to live as you now are, and if you have not yet believed and received the Lord Jesus Christ for yourself please to do so now. For In Jesus Christ all the Promises of God are received and realized. Therefore don't delay be reconciled to God today! 

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.

Hebrews 13:20-25

²⁰ Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, ²¹ make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. ²² And I appeal to you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words. ²³ Know that our brother Timothy has been set free, with whom I shall see you if he comes shortly. ²⁴ Greet all those who rule over you, and all the saints. Those from Italy greet you. ²⁵ Grace be with you all. Amen.

Commentary

Vs. 20-21 ²⁰ Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, ²¹ make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

In concluding the author now bestows a blessing on us, asking that "the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, ²¹ make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen." 
Now there's a lot there so lets look at them individually. First is the declaration that our God is a God of peace (see Rom 15:33; 16:20; 1 Cor. 14:33; Phil. 4:9; 1 Thess. 5:23; 2 Thess. 3:16 etc.) for that is His Nature (Isaiah 9:6), and that is His desire for us all, therefore the Lord Jesus Christ suffered Crucifixion death for us all in order to restore God's peace to us all who believe (Isaiah 53:5). And so from the individual soul to the future Millennial creation, God the Creator, Sustainer, and Savior in the redemption of His creation brings His peace and rest to us all who believe in His Son (consider Isaiah 32:16-19; 45:8; 54:10; Matt. 11:28-30; John 14:27; 16:33; 20:19 etc.). That said, God's peace is not a given, for in a sinful world which by it is own nature and by it's own ways is separated from God (and thus His peace) they are doing much to overthrow their own peace by setting themselves against His Will and His Word (consider Isaiah 45:7; 48:18; 57:20-21; 59:8; antithesis Psalm 37:37; Psalm 119:65; Prov. 3:1-2 etc.). For the days of ignorance that God once overlook are now past for He now commands everyone everywhere to repent and believe in His Son through the Gospel (Acts 17:30-31). Now it is the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead; for it is only by the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ that we who believe in Him are brought to Spirit life and thus are united with Him in His Resurrected Person and life. To say then that the Lord Jesus Christ's Resurrection from the dead is critical to our redemption from sin and death would be an understatement. Therefore belief in the Lord Jesus Christ's Crucifixion death and His Resurrection from the dead is absolutely critical and essential to ones salvation, for if one does not believe both, one will then not be saved (Rom. 10:9-10; 1 Cor. 15; 2 Tim 2:18; 1 Peter 1:3). The Lord Jesus Christ then is the great Shepherd of the sheep who believe in Him (John 10:11, 14-16 etc.). The One who not only laid down His life for us, but by His Resurrected Life, He now unites us and leads us. A true Christian then will not follow another, or listen to the voice of another, for there is only One Shepherd of God's Sheep and we will by no means listen to or follow another (John 10:4-5; 27-28). Therefore it is only through the blood of Christ that we who believe enter into God's everlasting covenant. For unlike the Old Covenant given through Moses that came in after faith had been established as the means of redemption (Gen 15:6) and so it served until the Lord Jesus Christ begin His Ministry preaching the Kingdom of heaven (Luke 17:17), the New Covenant which the Lord Jesus Christ brought into force and effect by His death on the Cross (thus fulfilling the Old Covenant) has no end. There is then no return to the Law for having a justified standing with God (Rom 3:19-28; Gal 2:16, 19-21 etc.). Now lest we forget this prayer is not just a declaration of our Lord as our only Shepherd and how we are in a personal relationship with Him through the New Covenant, but it is also an appeal, that God who began His good work within us (Phil. 1:6); who has equipped and is equipping us with everything that we need to do His Will; likewise make us complete in every good work as we do His Will, just as He works in us (and through us) all that is well pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, to whom be glory forever and ever, amen.

Vs. 22 "And I appeal to you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words." 

Given the vast analogies of types and pictures and foreshadows of Christ that is found in the Law and throughout the Old Testament Scriptures one could go on and on, but out of necessity he has only written what was required to help us transfer out of the Levitical system (and all that it required from those under the Old Covenant) and into the New Covenant and the simplicity of Christ. (gleaned from Believers Bible Commentary)

Vs. 23 "Know that our brother Timothy has been set free, with whom I shall see you if he comes shortly."

This intimate reference to Timothy indicates not just having a personal knowledge of him and his affairs, but just how close knit the early church community was, something that did not change with the dispersion of the early Christians throughout the ancient world.

Vs. 24-25 "Greet all those who rule over you, and all the saints. Those from Italy greet you. ²⁵ Grace be with you all. Amen."

Greeting our leaders, as well as all our brethren (i.e. the saints) is a courtesy that Jesus Himself practiced and commanded, indeed He went far beyond just greeting brethren (that is His friends) but as a manner of life greeted and received one and all (consider Matt 5:47). Therefore practicing hospitality towards one and all is also following Christ. The church congregation then should be the front line of this in showing the love and grace of God. Finally in concluding the greetings of those from Italy are conveyed, before bestowing the grace of God upon us all, amen.

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.

Hebrews 13:18-19

¹⁸ Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably. ¹⁹ But I especially urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.

Commentary
In wrapping up the Author of Hebrews begins by requesting prayer, not just for himself, but for those who are with him, who are coworkers with him in the Gospel; which is a critical part of any ministry teams success. Now his interjecting with the statement "for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably," indicates not only were they living honest and honorable lives before God and man in their serving the Lord Jesus Christ; (consider Acts 23:1; 24:15-16; 2 Cor. 1:12; 2 Tim 1:3 etc. antithesis Titus 1:15); but likely in stating as much they must have come under some rather severe or unjust character assaults at some point by their detractors to have to state as much now (gleaned from Believers Bible Commentary). While verse nineteen in urging their prayers so that he may be restored to them the sooner maybe indicating that this epistle may have been written while he was incarcerated for his faith In Christ? (again gleaned from Believers Bible Commentary), but even if not his desire to see them, and be with them, is indicating that they were much than just people he ministered the gospel too, but they were his beloved friends.

Scripture Quotations

The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.

Additional Resources Consulted
MacDonald, William. Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. Edited by Arthur Farstad. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995.

Hebrews 13:7–17

⁷ Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. ⁸ Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. ⁹ Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them. ¹⁰ We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. ¹¹ For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp. ¹² Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. ¹³ Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. ¹⁴ For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. ¹⁵ Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. ¹⁶ But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. ¹⁷ Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

Commentary
Vs. 7-8 ⁷ Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. ⁸ Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

In giving this exhortation the Word of God is pointing us to follow the example of those leaders who personally exemplify the moral excellence and the leadership qualities and manner of the Lord Jesus Christ, therefore all who do so their faith we are to both consider and follow (consider Phil 3:17-4:1; 2 Thess. 3:6-9; 1 Tim 4:12; 2 Tim 2:19-26; Titus 2:7-8; antithesis 2 Tim 3:1-9; 2 Peter 2:1-3; Jude 3-4 etc.). For Jesus Christ is same yesterday, today, and forever, meaning that whatever God in Christ condemned as sin and unsound behavior in the Old Testament, He still condemns today. Therefore do not be deceived nor conformed to the degenerating values of this world (2 Tim 3:1-9), but rather through the Word of God be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may do and approve of all those things that are excellent and sound that are revealed to us all in it. 

Vs. 9 "Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them."

Now there will always be those false teachers and prophets who will try to sow into the simplicity of Christ (2 Cor. 11:3-4) all sorts of wild ideas. Whether these are born out of Judaism or Ecclesiasticism or have Charismatic origins being promoted under the guise of being Spiritual or imputing knowledge, or as being required of us yet are only mere doctrines and commandments of men not God. For there is no longer any more revelation to come from God (Jude 3), and thus anyone who expounds any extra commands or decrees or so called spiritual knowledge not found in and directly supported by the Scriptures (or worse is only a perversion of Scriptural truth) should be quickly and unequivocally refuted and rejected. For both the individual believer as well as the collective church assembly must never give any ground to such things (and such individuals who expound them) lest they become unwitting partakers with them (consider Rev. 18:4-5). Similarly when individuals or groups of individuals claim to be exemplifying the works of the Holy Spirit if such is not being done in accord with the Scriptural decrees on how such gifts are to be exercised, and or they are not exemplifying the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22-23) in the execution of such things, then again, such things should be rejected as not coming from the Spirit of the Lord. For if one is complacent about these things and towards these things then they are only paving the way for Satan's lying signs and wonders to be sown amongst themselves (Matt. 24:24). Therefore do not stray from the simplicity that is Christ (2 Cor. 11:3-4), for you and I are complete in Jesus Christ lacking nothing, meaning we lack neither so called Spiritual gift or knowledge, for In Christ and Him alone we lack nothing (Col 2:8-10; 16-23). And those who wander away from the simplicity of Christ into the realms of the unknown very often stray from Him forever, therefore don't follow them! 

Vs. 10 "We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat."

If the Jews, and the specifically their priests felt that their sacrificial system was still in tact and superior to what Christ has done then they should consider that what we who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ have from God all that they have no right too. For it is from Christ's altar that we eat, for He Himself has sanctified us all who believe in Him (Heb. 10:14). And so to understand the implications of this in the Old Covenant it was only the priests who could eat the sacrifices made on the altar for sin, anyone else who did so was to be cut off from God's people (see Lev. 6:24-7:10; 17:1-9, vs. 8; Deut. 18:1-8). Therefore if they or anyone else is still holding to the Old Covenant and it's sacrifices as an atonement for sin (whether priest or not) then they cannot partake of Christ's altar where the everlasting atonement for all our sins who believe in Him has been made.  

Vs. 11-12 ¹¹ For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp. ¹² Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate.

The Word of God now draws an analogy from the Old Covenant sacrifices whose corpses were taken outside of the camp to burned with fire after the blood from them was brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for a sin offering; now camp here refers to the perimeter curtain that surrounded the Tabernacle (Exodus 29:14; Lev. 4:11-12, 8:17, 9:11 etc.), or later the Temple courtyard walls where they were taken outside of the city of Jerusalem to be burned with fire. Now the point is that just as these were taken outside the camp so that their blood could sanctify the people who offered them, so Jesus that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate (vs. 12). 

Vs. 13 "Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach." 

Therefore as the people of God redeemed by the grace of God we should not hesitate to bear the reproach of Christ outside of the confines of the local church. 

Vs. 14 "For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come."

For true believers our home is not here, not in this godless and degenerating world (see Heb. 11:13-16), and thus the Jerusalem that now is, is not the city of God, nor is His temple there, but He will be there in the heavenly Jerusalem where all of us who are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb shall worship and serve Him and abide with Him in unending love and joy forever.

Vs. 15 "Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name." 

For there is nothing more personally gratifying than to sing Christ's praises, to abide in His goodness, and give thanks to His Name, this I know by personal experience and hope that you know that too by recalling to mind what Christ has done for you and me and everyone who believes in Him.

Vs. 16 "But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased."

Being Spirit filled by the worship of the Lord we should all be about doing good and sharing with all those in need, first amongst ourselves and then everywhere, for that is the Christians calling card (Gal. 6:10; 1 Tim 6:17-19; James 4:17; 1 Peter 3:10-12).

Vs. 17  "Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you."

Obeying and being submissive to those who rule over us is a command of God; just as it is a command that we be submissive to one another (Eph. 5:21); that said in this broken world where Satan seeks to plant his own amongst us, one must never forsake their God given discernment in doing so; for if any leader abuses, or uses, or would command the flock under his care to either violate God's Word or their own conscience (in regards to non moral things) than such is no shepherd of God (consider Jer. 5:26-31; 23:1-2; Ezekiel 34; 2 Cor. 11:5-32). That said I know there are a lot of godly men living sacrificial lives for the Lord and His people's sake, and such men we should not only obey and be submissive too, but we should also honor such men (1 Tim 5:17-20) for these godly men watch out for our souls as those who must give an account to God, and thus they rule by the fear of God (consider Exodus 18:21-22; Deut. 10:16-19; 16:19-20; 2 Samuel 23:3-4 etc.). Now in ruling, a Godly leader must do so with joy and not with grief, for just as joy is contagious and uplifting and inspiring to others; and thus has very positive ripple effects on others; so is ruling by grief (that is with a heavy heart) which can inadvertently deflate and discourage those who are following Jesus Christ. Therefore if your in a position of leadership and do not have joy in doing so than your probably not in the service of God that He would have you in.

Scripture Quotations.
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.

Hebrews 13:1–6

¹ Let brotherly love continue. ² Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. ³ Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also. ⁴ Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge. ⁵ Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” ⁶ So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

Commentary
Vs. 1 "Let brotherly love continue." 

In going deep into the Word of God we can often forget that having faith In the Lord Jesus Christ has real life implications and responsibilities. And one of the most important of these is that Christians have love for one another, for that is the only mark of a true disciple, not knowledge, not wisdom, and not by trying to exemplify ones spiritual gifts or talents (1 Cor.14), but love (1 Cor13). For Jesus said: "By this is how all will know that your my disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:35
Therefore amongst believers having and showing genuine love for each other is the only real standard by which one may judge whether they are truly are a Christian and whether they are truly walking and living in harmony with God (1 John 3:10-15; 16-19; 4:7-8, 20-11).

Vs. 2 "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels."

Strangers here obviously refers to fellow Christians who are not personally known to us but who are likely fleeing from persecution, in the early church this was the norm not the exception. Now in a broader sense a stranger is anyone who is not a relative or a friend. And so hospitality is to be part and parcel of being a Christian not just because it is the right thing to do, but as stated here by doing so some have unwittingly entertained angels which itself moves into another area of the spiritual war that we and they are in.

Vs. 3 "Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also."

Believers who are imprisoned or are being persecuted for our faith In Christ should never be forgotten or abandoned by us in their time of need. The Lord Jesus Christ made this clear in His exhortation given in Matthew 25:31-46. And so to care for one of the "least" of these in their time of need is just as one is caring for Christ.

Vs. 4  "Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge."

Heterosexual marriage is the only form of marriage established by God and thus is the only form that is good and sound but also justifiable in the sight of God (Genesis 2:18-24; Lev. 18:22-29; 20:13, 15-16, 22-23; Rom 1:18-32; 1 Cor. 6:9; 1 Tim 1:9-10). That said marriage is not commanded (1 Cor. 7), nor is it to be forbidden (1 Tim 4:1-3). For as the Word of God makes clear only in a marriage relationship is sexual intercourse (the highest form of personal intimacy) to be expressed between a man and a woman; for only when one has made a lifetime commitment to their spouse is this union between a man and a woman holy and sanctified in the sight of God. Otherwise sexual intercourse is just sin, defiling and corrupting those who partake in it in that fashion, because it is being exercised outside of the realm for which God intended it to be enjoyed, and that is between a man and his wife which is to bind them in love in their marriage. And so outside of that sanctified realm there is only serving the sinful human nature and it's lusts which not only distorts and perverts it for it's own pleasure's sake, but also in pursuing sexual pleasure as an end in of itself, only leads one into deeper bondage to it, which carries it's own consequences, both in this life and for eternity, as is being made clear here when the Word of God says fornicators and adulterers God will judge. And so as with all sin when the pleasure ends there is always the fallout from it; sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancies, guilt, shame (if one has not been given over to a debased mind); not to mention all of the emotional, physiological, relational and even societal damage that is always a by product of ones own sin (Prov. 2:10-22; 6:20-35, vs. 26; 7:1-27, vs. 26-27; 10:27 etc.). And so outside of a heterosexual marriage sexual intercourse only defiles the bed, and thus comes under the judgement of God. Therefore we as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ must not walk in the degenerate ways of this world that believes that "liberty" and "freedom" is found by living by ones own uncontrolled passions and lusts. Now if you have been living a sexually immoral life there is hope for you if you come to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. For God does not want to condemn you for your sins (John 3:16-17); rather He wants to save you from them and the Judgment to come by transforming you by His Holy Spirit, who will indwell you the moment you repent and believe, and thus He will begin making you into who He always intended you to be. Therefore don't delay come home to Jesus Christ today (Luke 15:11-32; Rom 10:9-10, 13).

Vs. 5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 

Throughout the Scriptures contentment is always upheld as a godly virtue that not only forwards ones own peace and well being, but also the peace and well being of others (consider Deut. 5:21; Job 31:24, 25, 28; Psalm 10:3; Psalm 119:36; Prov. 1:19; 15:27; 22:16; 23:4-5; 30:8-9; Ecc. 4:7-8; 5:10; Isaiah 1:23; 57:17; Jer. 17:11; 22:13-23; 51:13; Micah 2:2; 3:11; 7:3; Mark 7:21-23; Luke 12:15-21; 33-34; Rom 13:9; 1 Cor. 5:11, 6:9-11, vs. 10; 1 John 2:15-17 etc.). Now the fact that God Himself will never leaves us or forsake us who believe in His Son is not only the greatest of comfort, but also the greatest treasure that you and I have. For in a world where nothing lasts or remains having God's everlasting Presence, Peace and Love is way beyond just satisfying and reassuring, but with Jesus I find rest (Matt. 11:28-30). "Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out." (see 1 Tim 6:6-10). Therefore let us all live and love as Christ would have us all do, "But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints" Eph. 5:3

Vs. 6 So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

Of all that the Lord has done and continues to do for us, the fact that He is also our helper (Psalm 118:6) means that neither their threats nor their schemes can ever separate us from Him, nor thwart His plans for us (Jer. 29:11). Therefore child of God whatever you do in the Name of the Lord do boldly and confidently knowing that it is the Lord who is with you and He will not forsake you, even unto death. 

Scripture Quotations

The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Hebrews 12:25–29

²⁵ See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, ²⁶ whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.” ²⁷ Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. ²⁸ Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. ²⁹ For our God is a consuming fire.

Commentary
Vs. 25-26 ²⁵ See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, ²⁶ whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.”

No one should ever presume to think that they can refuse to hear God speak, for to do so when He spoke from earth (from Mount Sinai) meant one would not escape the judgment of God, how much more now after He has spoken to us all from heaven through His own Son (John 8:26, 28, 12:48-50; 14:10, 24 etc.). Therefore to refuse to hear God speak now is to reject His only begotten Son the Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 10:16), which means not only will such an individual perish in their own sins and transgressions (John 8:23-24), but God Himself will Judge and deal with all who do so accordingly forever (see Deut. 18:15-19; Acts 3:23; John 3:35-36; 12:48).

Vs. 27 Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain.

The first shaking of the earth took place on Mount Sanai with the giving of the Law (Ex 19:18) and so the second shaking, the "Yet once more" which is prophesied in the Book of Haggai (Hag. 2:6) and is generally held to be the shaking of heaven and earth at the end of the Millennial Reign just before the new heavens and new earth with Christ reigning forever is ushered in (Rev. 21:1). And so this shaking which also brought in the Old Covenant and it's ordinances and services will also end it. For neither the law, nor it's service, is intended to continue on forever. Now this shaking as applied to us all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ here and now is also the removal of the earthly ordinances and sacrifices and articles by which the Law is administered here on the earth as being necessary for our redemption, so that the heavenly Sanctuary and it's everlasting Sacrifice and Service which the Lord Jesus Christ has accomplished and now administers on our behalf could be enacted forever. 

Vs. 28-29 ²⁸ Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. ²⁹ For our God is a consuming fire.

Therefore after the shaking only God's Kingdom with Christ's reign and His eternally redeemed people shall remain with Him forever. Everything that now is will be no more forever. Therefore in light of this, we who believe in Christ are all to serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For as the Word of God also states: "our God is a consuming fire." For God who revealed Himself on Mount Sinai is also the same God who is now reigning on heavens Mount Zion.

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.

Hebrews 12:18-24

¹⁸ For you have not come to the mountain that may be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness and darkness and tempest, ¹⁹ and the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words, so that those who heard it begged that the word should not be spoken to them anymore. ²⁰ (For they could not endure what was commanded: “And if so much as a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned or shot with an arrow.” ²¹ And so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I am exceedingly afraid and trembling.”) ²² But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, ²³ to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, ²⁴ to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.

Commentary

Vs. 18-21 ¹⁸ For you have not come to the mountain that may be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness and darkness and tempest, ¹⁹ and the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words, so that those who heard it begged that the word should not be spoken to them anymore. ²⁰ (For they could not endure what was commanded: “And if so much as a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned or shot with an arrow.” ²¹ And so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I am exceedingly afraid and trembling.”)

The Word of God now recalls the incredible fiery scene on Mount Sinai and the terror and fear that Moses and the whole congregation felt as they approached it (see Exodus 19:10-20:21...). , Now this is being recalled here to contrast how they through the Old Covenant drew near to God (represented by Mount Sinai) and how we through Christ and the New Covenant now draw near to God (represented by the heavenly Jerusalem). For drawing near to God through the Old Covenant meant that even Moses as their God appointed representative only did so with great trepidation and fear.

Vs. 22-23 ²² But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, ²³ to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, ²⁴ to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.

And so in contrast to the Israelites drawing near to God through the Old Covenant; which again is represented by Mount Sinai where God first came down upon it and in engulfing it with fire He then spoke to them from it; which also speaks of the Old Covenants temporary nature in mediating between God and mankind, for God did not remain upon Mount Sinai, but only came down upon it to give the Law through their temporary representative Moses, whom he had appointed to deliver it to them, consider John 1:17). And so in striking contrast to that we who believe In the Lord Jesus Christ are now drawing near to God on Mount Zion, the city of the Living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, (vs. 22) to the general assembly and church of the
firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, ²⁴ to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.

Mount Zion then is God's eternal dwelling place, not Mount Sinai, and thus it is from Mount Zion that God has sent forth His New and Everlasting Covenant through His own Son the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the sole Mediator of the New Covenant, for He Himself is exceedingly Superior to Moses and thus so is the Covenant which God the Father has given to us all through His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. And thus we have the exhortation that it is Mount Zion is the city of the Living God, the New Jerusalem, (Rev 21:1-27; also see Heb. 11:8-10; 13:14; Rev. 3:12-13 etc.) not Mount Sinai. For neither the living God, nor His Son, nor His heavenly Host are there, rather they are all on Mount Zion. For it is from there where He Rules, and it is from there where He Judges, and it is from there where the Lord Jesus Christ is His Mediator of the New Covenant; and thus it is there where there is an innumerable company of angels, and where the general assembly is, where the church, the firstborn by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ are registered in heaven, and so it is there that we will be serving and worshiping the Lord God on Mount Zion forever (Rev. 7:9-19). Therefore it is Mount Zion (not mount Sinai) which is speaking of God's eternal dwelling place with God's eternally redeemed people (the church, the Body of Christ) through the eternal and everlasting sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ whose shed blood on the Cross for our eternal redemption from sin and death speaks to things way better than that of Abel (and his temporary blood sacrifice which was not just the first blood sacrifice, but also is figurative of all of the temporary blood sacrifices offered to God according to the will of God by mortal and sinful mankind that God accepted on their behalf until the reformation, that is until the Lord Jesus Christ having fulfilled the Law by His own Crucifixion death and Resurrection from the dead paid in full the penalty for all our sins and transgressions by His own shed blood. Therefore it is there, Mount Zion, (not Mount Sinai) where we can now draw near to God in full confidence through the Lord Jesus Christ alone (see Hebrews 4:14-16). For it is from there that the sprinkling of blood, Christ's blood is Ministered, which purifies all of us His worshippers.

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.

Additional Resources Consulted
MacDonald, William. Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. Edited by Arthur Farstad. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995.

Hebrews 12:12-17

¹² Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, ¹³ and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed. ¹⁴ Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: ¹⁵ looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; ¹⁶ lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. ¹⁷ For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.

Commentary

Vs. 12-13 ¹² Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, ¹³ and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed. 

In light of God's chastening of us we are to strengthen those areas of our persons and lives that we are weakest in. And so turning from ones own sin and or wrong ideas and attitudes is always better than being unwilling to change, or even be changed (consider Psalm 38:3-5). Therefore make the positive changes in your life that God desires to see in you, changes which are in accord with God's Word, for this will bring the healing and health to you, and to all that you touch with your new life (consider Prov 3:7-8; 4:20-22; James 4:7-10; Rev. 3:19). 

Vs. 14 "Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord" 

Having received peace with God the moment we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, we are now to be His ambassadors of peace and good will to one and to all (consider Luke 2:14; Cor. 3:5-6; 5:18-21). For that is part and parcel of pursuing peace with all people, extending the love and the grace of God and thus the salvation of God to one and to all (John 3:16). Therefore as much as depends on us, let us all strive to peaceably with all people (consider Rom 12:18-21; 1 Thess. 5:15). Now linked with pursuing peace with all people is also pursuing holiness, for holiness is in accord with Jesus Christ and our new nature as His born-again children of God. Therefore holiness does not commit sexual immorality (1 Cor 6:18-20; 1 Thess 4:3-8 etc.), rather holiness is found in the reverence of God (Lev. 10:3) with obedience to His Word (2 Tim 2:22). And so nothing is more indicative of the Life, Spirit, and Presence of the Lord Jesus Christ than the pursuit of peace and holiness with one and with all. Now the pursuit of holiness (like discipleship) though often entailing self denial (Luke 9:23) for holy pursuits like prayer and fasting (1 Cor. 7:5-6) is not found in self imposed exile, asceticism, or obeying the doctrines and commandments of men (Matt. 15:1-9; Col. 2:20-22). For holiness does not take away from the quality of ones life, and ones relationship with God and others (as legalism does), rather holiness enriches it, by removing sin, Satan, and his influence over ones person and life, so that the one who purifies their life in accord with Christ can now draw near to God (James 4:8-10). For the Lord Jesus Christ comes to bring us life, and bring it more abundantly, not enslave us to doctrines and commandments of men. While Satan only comes to kill, steal, and destroy (see John 10:10). And not just through sin, which is obvious, but also and most hideous through his own he always seeks to infiltrate and distort the truth. And thus through lusts, through licentiousness, through the false and misleading doctrines and commandments of men, he takes captive well meaning men and women who are ignorant of these things (consider Rom 6:16; 2 Cor 11:13-15; Gal 1:8-9; 2 Peter 2:18-22 etc.). Therefore the pursuit of holiness is pursuing what God in Christ has sanctified us all to be as His new creations in Christ; who have been freed from sin, Satan, and death so that we can now do and enjoy all the glorious liberties of the children of God. For obeying the commandments of men are of no value against the sinful lusts of the flesh, but in the end only heighten them (consider 1 Cor 15:56).
Finally in this pursuit of holiness we are not to be friends of this world, and thus we must not embrace it's degenerating morals and "values" (James 4:4; 1 John 2:15-17). And so purifying ones own person and life in accord with the Word of God (1 Cor 5:9-13; 2 Cor 6:14-7:1; Rev 18:3-4) not only heightens ones own prosperity and peace in this life, but also makes one a catalyst for the same (Eph. 5:1-7, 8-14, 15-21, vs. 11; 2 Tim. 2:20-21; 3 John 2). 

Vs. 15-17 ¹⁵ looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; ¹⁶ lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. ¹⁷ For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.

Now it falls not just on us, but specifically upon the church leaders to be looking carefully over the whole congregation "...lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled." For there are always those who will have the saving knowledge of God through the Gospel but will have never personally received the Lord Jesus Christ for themselves, and thus been born again by the Holy Spirit, and thus not been transformed by regenerating work of Him, which He works in everyone who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ. And so such individuals who seek to live and experience the Christian life and God's promises and Spiritual experiences by their own strength and abilities (and thus not by first repenting and believing in the Gospel ,and thus coming to the Lord Jesus Christ in faith, without reservations or expectations) can become disillusioned by their own efforts and expectations, in seeking to have and experience all that Christ Promises everyone who believes in Him through the Gospel. For it is only by the grace of God that He brings us to Spirit life and unites us with Christ as His redeemed and eternally secure and forgiven people. And so sadly when someone tries to enter the Kingdom of heaven by some other means other than by the grace of God, which is only given to us by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and Him alone, and thus they find that they cannot enter by striving to do so by some other means, sadly instead of repenting of their own self-will or works and turning to Christ and trusting Him alone for their salvation, they can become antagonistic towards Him. And when that happens, when someone who began a journey of faith, turns away from the faith in their hearts, they can unwittingly become a person by which Satan now sows his own works and agenda's through them. Thus the root of bitterness is referring to the individual who though starting out with a profession of faith In Christ, falls short of the grace of God and apostates from the faith. And having done so they will have degenerating effects on the lives and especially the faith of those around them. For such individuals will not only begin to call into question the Authenticity and Authority of God's Word, but as they become more emboldened in their unbelief and rejection of the Lord, they will start living lives and justifying practices that are utterly hostile to both Him and it. And so we must all be weary of such individuals when we become aware of them. In the Book of Revelations there is mentioned a woman referred to as "Jezebel"; an O.T. reference to the godless wife of king Ahab who not only stirred him up to do all kinds of evil (1 Kings 21:25), but having killed the prophets of the Lord (1 Kings 18:4) she by her harlotry's then went on to lead the nation of Israel astray from the Lord. And so this woman in the church of Thyatira being called by the Word of the Lord "Jezebel" is clearly indicating that she is "a root of bitterness" amongst them, by which many were becoming defiled. And yet this woman was calling herself a prophetess! And so whether by the complacency or compliance of the church leaders in that congregation she was being allowed to teach and seduce the people of God into committing sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols! (see Rev. 2:18-29). Therefore the root of bitterness, the apostate individual whose heart turns away from the Lord is again utterly toxic to any congregations well being. Now that reality is also made clear in verse 16 where the example of Esau is used to describe the apostate. For Esau though the firstborn for a single morsel of food went on to sell his own birthright, (a warning for us all to heed because there are people who have started out well in the faith and yet for a "single morsel of food"; i.e. maybe an adulteress affair, or maybe for the love of money etc. have likewise sold their own birthrights!) and having done so Esau would then go on to take wives for himself from Ishmael that were a grief to the mind of both his father and his mother; meaning that he was now wilfully living antagonistic towards them and their beliefs (see Gen. 26:34-35). Therefore as verse seventeen makes clear there is no repentance for the individual who likewise makes a wilful and decisive rejection of the Lord and His salvation for them (also see Hebrews 6:4-6).

Scripture Quotations 

The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.

Hebrews 12:3-11

³ For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. ⁴ You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. ⁵ And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; ⁶ For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.” ⁷ If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? ⁸ But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. ⁹ Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? ¹⁰ For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. ¹¹ Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Commentary

Vs. 3 "For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls." 

The Lord Jesus Christ endured hostility from sinners initially seems a strange statement given that the Lord Jesus Christ was often called "a friend of sinners" by His enemies (Matt 11:18-19). Thus sinners here is not those sinners who seeing their own need for redemption come to Christ and are saved by Him (consider Matt 9:10-13; Luke 7:36-50; 18:9-14 etc.). No sinners here refers to those demonically charged individuals (whether Jews or Gentiles, consider John 8:37-47) who not only orchestrated His Crucifixion, but having brought it to fruition, rejoiced to see Jesus suffering and dying on the Cross in their presence (i.e the Pharisees and Sadducee's and the godless mocking mob whom they stirred up to have Pilate crucify Christ). Therefore as believers we must not become weary and discouraged in our souls when the wicked of this world likewise set their sights on us because we belong to Christ. For as Jesus said, ....‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. John 15:20-21

Therefore when faced with such things let us continue on with Christ doing the good that God would have us do and not become discouraged, just as Nehemiah did when he too was faced with the hostility of sinners and their schemes when he began rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem (consider then Gal. 6:9; 2 Thess. 3:13; 1 Peter 4:12-19). 

Vs. 4 "You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin."

Verse three singularly dealt with the hostility and opposition from sinners that we will face in this world, while verses four to eleven will deal with the greater dilemma in each and every believers life, and that is our ongoing struggles with sin. For that is the primary battlefield for every believer, our human flesh and it's inclinations towards sin. That said our struggles with sin should not be the cause of our discouragement, rather we should remember that though at times we may be overwhelmed by our own weaknesses in this battle, we will never have to resist to bloodshed in our striving against sin (consider 1 Cor. 10:13). For we have been crucified with Christ so that the body of sin might be done away with (Rom 6:6), and thus we are being transformed into the glorious image of Christ by God's Spirit who is renewing us day by day, so then let us not give up when we falter (1 John 2:1-2) but let each one of us encourage each other, and assist one another as need arises (consider Gal. 6:1-2). 

Vs. 5-7 ⁵ And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; ⁶ For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.” ⁷ If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?

Therefore we should not be surprised when God's correction comes to us to lead us out of it. For that is what you would expect from any sound parent (Prov. 19:18), and that is what God our Father does in seeking to remove those attitudes and actions that are not becoming of Him and His Son being in our persons and lives. Therefore rather than getting discouraged when we are rebuked by Him (as Cain was, see Gen. 4:6-7), we should seek Him and confess our sin and wrongs too Him; then having received His grace, mercy and forgiveness (Heb 4:14-16) seek to be what He is working out in us to be. For as the Scripture say's, "If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?" Therefore child of God don't turn from God when you are rebuked by Him, rather turn to Him in obedience and faith so that you may be healed by Him (consider 1 Samuel 12:15; Hosea 10:12; Rev 3:19; antithesis Isaiah 1:5-9; Hosea 7:11-16; Zephaniah 3:1-2) 

Vs. 8 "But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons." 

It is most appropriate then that only the true children of God are chastened by Him. Notice too that there is none past or present or even future who have not, and will not be chastened by Him, for discipline is not only part and parcel of sound parenting but also of growing up into maturity.

Vs. 9-10 "Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? ¹⁰ For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 

It thus naturally follows that if we honor and obey our own mortal fathers, how much more should we readily be in subjection to our heavenly Father, who is the here described as the Father of spirits, that is He is the One who holds the breath of every living creature in His hands. Therefore we are all to be in subjection to Him and live for as Ezekiel God's prophet exhorted the then rebellious nation Israel, being in subjection to God our Father brings life, while rebellion against Him only brings ones own ruin and death (consider Ezekiel 18:30-32; 33:10-11). 

Vs. 11 "Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."

Obviously being chastened by the Lord is not a pleasant thing, just as enduring corporal discipline as a child from ones own father is not pleasant. Nevertheless both have the very positive and fruitful effect of producing the peaceful fruit of righteousness in those who have been trained by it. In other words God's chastening of us makes our lives not only more righteous, but also more peaceful. Now the antithesis of that would be to only produce spoiled and wild children as the Proverb warns, "spare the rod and spoil the child" (see Prov. 13:24; 22:15; 23:13-14; 29:15), and God is not in the business of raising selfish and self serving spoiled children who do not listen to Him, nor heed His Word.

Scripture Quotations

The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.