Hebrews 12 Commentary
There are several instances when the organization of the holy script into chapters and verses disturbs the smooth flow of thoughts. We are never helped by man’s tendency to want to box thoughts within defined boundaries like chapters or verses, let alone titles or paragraphs.
The first section of Chapter 12 is best read as part of Chapter 11.
This is what we have seen already. He is the ultimate spokesperson. Regarding the Godhead, Jesus is the exact representation of the Sovereign God. He is superior to the angelic beings. Regarding the temple system, Jesus is the High Priest. He is the greater-than-Moses prophet that the LORD promised would come. Now we have the faith.
He is the author and finisher of faith. Jesus is the objective of faith; He is the object in whom we put our faith. He perfects faith. You would guess Abel’s offering was meant for Jesus.
But Hebrews alternates between high and low points. Yes, the High Priest but also the ideal sacrifice represented by the Sanctuary activities; greater than the angelic beings but also made lower than them. Yes, the exact representation of the Creator God, the LORD God Almighty, but also a human being. Yes, the one we must seek and find by faith, but also the one whose faith outshines the ’ancients’.
In this way, Hebrews displays for us a Jesus who covers every space, high or low. He covers every quality, high or low. Yes, He takes on the lowest slot when he must be killed for being the most sinful – sinful because He bore my sins, yours, and that of humanity. The term ‘everything’ is appropriate though always vague.
Verse 5 is interesting. The Book of Proverbs is a father’s teaching to his son. It’s full of wisdom. But Verse 5 seems to have ‘Father’ instead of ‘father’. The son becomes you. Consequently, ‘wisdom’ becomes ‘Wisdom’. Christ the wisdom of God. 1 Corinthians 1 verse 24. The New Testament makes the common wisdom of Proverbs into the actual words of the LORD. The Spirit speaks through this word.
Verse 7 introduces us to another view on suffering. It is not always an accident. The LORD ordains it for the saint as part of discipline. It is a show of love. Holiness and more holiness is the goal! To be like Him. Verse 10.
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