a study of the apostle paul’s letter to the hebrews

AAStudyStudyOf TheOf TheApostleApostle

Paul’s LetterPaul’s LetterTo The To The

HebrewsHebrews

Don’t Don’t drift drift away!away!

Don’t Don’t neglect neglect your your salvationsalvation!!

Don’t Don’t Depart!Depart!

Don’t Don’t fall fall awayaway!!

Don’t cast Don’t cast away your away your confidenceconfidence!!

Don’t Don’t hardeharden your n your heart!heart!

How can we neglect so How can we neglect so greatgreat

a salvation? ~ Hebrews a salvation? ~ Hebrews 2:3 2:3

Hebrews: Christ Is Superior!Superior Person (1:1—4:13)Superior Person (1:1—4:13)

Superior to Prophets (1:1-3)Superior to Prophets (1:1-3)Superior to Angels (1:4—2:18)Superior to Angels (1:4—2:18)Superior to Moses (3:1-19)Superior to Moses (3:1-19)Superior to Joshua (4:1-13)Superior to Joshua (4:1-13)

Superior Priest (4:14—7:28)Superior Priest (4:14—7:28)Superior to Aaron (4:14—6:12)Superior to Aaron (4:14—6:12)Superior to Melchizedek (6:13—Superior to Melchizedek (6:13—

7:10)7:10)Superior to Levi (7:11-28)Superior to Levi (7:11-28)

Hebrews: Christ Is Superior!Superior Pact to Moses’ (8:1—10:18)Superior Pact to Moses’ (8:1—10:18)

Superior Promises (8:1-13)Superior Promises (8:1-13)Superior Sanctuary (9:1-15)Superior Sanctuary (9:1-15)Superior Sacrifice (9:16-28)Superior Sacrifice (9:16-28)Superior Results (10:1-18)Superior Results (10:1-18)

Superior Principle (Faith) to Moses’ Superior Principle (Faith) to Moses’ (10:19—13:25)(10:19—13:25)

Superior Things (10:19-39)Superior Things (10:19-39)Superior Actions (11:1-40)Superior Actions (11:1-40)Superior Relationship (12:1-29)Superior Relationship (12:1-29) Today we’ll consider verses 14-

21.Superior Way of Life (13:1-25)Superior Way of Life (13:1-25)

After Paul tried in After Paul tried in 12:4-11 to to encourage these Jewish Christians encourage these Jewish Christians through their suffering either by through their suffering either by

explaining to them or by reminding explaining to them or by reminding them of God’s purpose andthem of God’s purpose and planplan forfor

hardshiphardship, , hehe exhortedexhorted them in them in verses 12-13 to help one another to help one another through these difficult times; i.e., through these difficult times; i.e.,

they were expected to work they were expected to work together as a family, for no man is together as a family, for no man is

an island. Now…an island. Now…

In In verses 14-21 we’ll see how that we’ll see how that he continued to urge them onward he continued to urge them onward

((as he wrote in as he wrote in Philippians 3:14) ) toward the goal for the prize, still , still emphasizing the need to help one emphasizing the need to help one

another under their very strenuous another under their very strenuous circumstances.circumstances.

Pursue peace Pursue peace with all with all [men][men] and holi- and holi- nessness

withoutwithout whichwhich no no oneone willwill seesee the the Lord…Lord…

HebrewHebrews s 12:14 12:14

PursuePursue peace peace with all with all [men][men] and holi- and holi- nessness


This word brings This word brings back to mind the back to mind the runner in the race runner in the race of of verse 1, , because it comes because it comes from a word that from a word that means means to run to run swiftlyswiftly, , to run to run afterafter, , to press on to press on withwith in-tensityin-tensity..

This word brings This word brings back to mind the back to mind the runner in the race runner in the race of of verse 1, , because it comes because it comes from a word that from a word that means means to run to run swiftlyswiftly, , to run to run afterafter, , to press on to press on withwith in-tensityin-tensity..

PursuePursue peace peace with all with all [men][men] and holi- and holi- nessness


It’s the same It’s the same word as used in word as used in Philippi-ans 3:12 where Paul (where Paul (just just before speaking before speaking about the goal for about the goal for the prizethe prize) wrote, ) wrote, Not that I have already attained or am al-ready perfected [ [as some as some were claiming, cf. were claiming, cf. 2 Tim. 2:18 w/ w/ Php. 3:10ff]; ]; but I press on that I may lay hold of it. So… it. So…

It’s the same It’s the same word as used in word as used in Philippi-ans 3:12 where Paul (where Paul (just just before speaking before speaking about the goal for about the goal for the prizethe prize) wrote, ) wrote, Not that I have already attained or am al-ready perfected [ [as some as some were claiming, cf. were claiming, cf. 2 Tim. 2:18 w/ w/ Php. 3:10ff]; ]; but I press on that I may lay hold of it. So… it. So…

Pursue peace Pursue peace with all [men] with all [men] and holi- and holi- nessness


According to According to 12:2, , 14, & , & 24, their ul-, their ul-timate goal in this timate goal in this racerace waswas aa perfected perfected relationship with relationship with Christ. But what Christ. But what were their were their immedi-ate goals immedi-ate goals at the time at the time PaulPaul waswas writingwriting thatthat would lead them would lead them to their ultimate to their ultimate goal? goal?

According to According to 12:2, , 14, & , & 24, their ul-, their ul-timate goal in this timate goal in this racerace waswas aa perfected perfected relationship with relationship with Christ. But what Christ. But what were their were their immedi-ate goals immedi-ate goals at the time at the time PaulPaul waswas writingwriting thatthat would lead them would lead them to their ultimate to their ultimate goal? goal?

Peace andand Holiness

Pursue Pursue peace peace with all [men] with all [men] and holi- and holi- nessness


In this phrase In this phrase there is no word there is no word for for men; a word ; a word needsneeds to be to be supplied, but (supplied, but (due due to the contextto the context) ) perhaps the perhaps the suppliedsupplied word word should have been should have been brethren. . I.e…. I.e….

In this phrase In this phrase there is no word there is no word for for men; a word ; a word needsneeds to be to be supplied, but (supplied, but (due due to the contextto the context) ) perhaps the perhaps the suppliedsupplied word word should have been should have been brethren. . I.e…. I.e….

They were to do their best to keep They were to do their best to keep peacepeace among themselves during among themselves during those very difficult times, for the those very difficult times, for the more discord they had among more discord they had among themselves, the less help they’d themselves, the less help they’d be to one another in des-perate be to one another in des-perate times. Besides…times. Besides…

As Jesus said, As Jesus said, Blessed are the peace-makers, for they shall be called sons of God ( (Mat. 5:9); so if ); so if they wished to be among those they wished to be among those sons in the fulfilled sense of in the fulfilled sense of Hebrews 2:10, then they had , then they had better be keeping peace among better be keeping peace among themselves.themselves.

PursuePursue peace peace with all [men]with all [men] and and holi- holi- nessness


TheyThey werewere alsoalso urgedurged to to help one help one anotheranother in this in this pursuit (pursuit (cf. vv. 15-16). And due to ). And due to the modifying the modifying phrase (phrase (without which no one will see the Lord),), this this was a reminder of was a reminder of another beatitude another beatitude of Jesus: of Jesus: Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God ((Mat. 5:8).).

TheyThey werewere alsoalso urgedurged to to help one help one anotheranother in this in this pursuit (pursuit (cf. vv. 15-16). And due to ). And due to the modifying the modifying phrase (phrase (without which no one will see the Lord),), this this was a reminder of was a reminder of another beatitude another beatitude of Jesus: of Jesus: Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God ((Mat. 5:8).).

Another blessing of pursuing Another blessing of pursuing holiness was that they could take holiness was that they could take comfort in knowing that they were comfort in knowing that they were

being being perse-cuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is

the kingdom of God ( (Mat. 5:10, cf. , cf. 1 Pet. 3:14), the very kingdom Paul ), the very kingdom Paul

went on to discuss inwent on to discuss in verses 22-28.. AfterAfter all…all…

As John wrote of this kingdom, As John wrote of this kingdom, There shall by no means enter it

anything that defiles or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the

Lamb’s Book of Life ( (Rev. 21:27, cf. , cf. Heb. 12:23). Interestingly… ). Interestingly…

Peace and and holiness here here correspond to correspond to the peaceablepeaceable fruit of righteousnessrighteousness ( (v. 11), that which ), that which comes from having the correct comes from having the correct knowledge, attitude, and re-knowledge, attitude, and re-sponse toward hardship (sponse toward hardship (v. 10). ). Also…Also…

Peace and and holiness are reminiscent are reminiscent of Christ being both of Christ being both King of Peace and and King of Righteousness ( (7:1-2). ). So… So…

It’d seem that It’d seem that oneone of these of these attributes cannot be successfully attributes cannot be successfully

acquired apart from acquired apart from the otherthe other, one , one having to do with having to do with one’s one’s

relationship to his fellowmanrelationship to his fellowman and and the other having to do with the other having to do with one’s one’s

rela-tionship to his Godrela-tionship to his God..

……looking looking diligent-ly lest diligent-ly lest anyone fall anyone fall short of the short of the grace of God, grace of God, lest any root of lest any root of bitterness bitterness springingspringing upup

cause cause trouble trouble and by thisand by this [the][the] manymany become become defiled…defiled…


This phrase is This phrase is from the same from the same base term base term translated translated overseers when when elders were elders were addressedaddressed ((1 Pet.

5:2).). Because of Because of that and because that and because Hebrews 13:7 is is believed to have believed to have reference to reference to elders, some elders, some believe Paul was believe Paul was addressing elders addressing elders in this verse. in this verse. However… However…

This phrase is This phrase is from the same from the same base term base term translated translated overseers when when elders were elders were addressedaddressed ((1 Pet.

5:2).). Because of Because of that and because that and because Hebrews 13:7 is is believed to have believed to have reference to reference to elders, some elders, some believe Paul was believe Paul was addressing elders addressing elders in this verse. in this verse. However… However…

……looking looking diligent-lydiligent-ly lest lest anyone fall anyone fall short of the short of the grace of God, grace of God, lest any root of lest any root of bitterness bitterness springingspringing upup


ThoseThose reasonsreasons aren’t strong aren’t strong enough to enough to warrant that warrant that conclu-sion, conclu-sion, especially in this especially in this immediate con-immediate con-text where Paul text where Paul had been had been speaking to speaking to allall the members the members about working about working together. (together. (Even in Even in 13:7 the regu-lar the regu-lar members were the members were the ones actually being ones actually being ad-dressed.ad-dressed. ) )

ThoseThose reasonsreasons aren’t strong aren’t strong enough to enough to warrant that warrant that conclu-sion, conclu-sion, especially in this especially in this immediate con-immediate con-text where Paul text where Paul had been had been speaking to speaking to allall the members the members about working about working together. (together. (Even in Even in 13:7 the regu-lar the regu-lar members were the members were the ones actually being ones actually being ad-dressed.ad-dressed. ) )

……looking looking diligent-lydiligent-ly lest lest anyone fall anyone fall short of the short of the grace of God, grace of God, lest any root of lest any root of bitterness bitterness springingspringing upup


This phrase is in This phrase is in the the present tense, present tense, mean-mean- ing that ing that they were to be they were to be their brother’s their brother’s keeper, watching keeper, watching out out for any who for any who were in the were in the process of process of fall-ing fall-ing away from the away from the grace of Godgrace of God or or ((per per v. 13) ) falling falling out of the raceout of the race towards God’s towards God’s glorious gift— the glorious gift— the kingdom (kingdom (v. 28).).

This phrase is in This phrase is in the the present tense, present tense, mean-mean- ing that ing that they were to be they were to be their brother’s their brother’s keeper, watching keeper, watching out out for any who for any who were in the were in the process of process of fall-ing fall-ing away from the away from the grace of Godgrace of God or or ((per per v. 13) ) falling falling out of the raceout of the race towards God’s towards God’s glorious gift— the glorious gift— the kingdom (kingdom (v. 28).).

……looking looking diligent-ly lest diligent-ly lest anyone anyone fall fall shortshort of the of the grace of God, grace of God, lest any root of lest any root of bitterness bitterness springingspringing upup


The word The word root is is of-ten used in the of-ten used in the Bible as a Bible as a metaphor for a metaphor for a person. Why? person. Why? More than likely More than likely because because a root a root produces fruitproduces fruit,, whether it be whether it be good or bad. So… good or bad. So…

The word The word root is is of-ten used in the of-ten used in the Bible as a Bible as a metaphor for a metaphor for a person. Why? person. Why? More than likely More than likely because because a root a root produces fruitproduces fruit,, whether it be whether it be good or bad. So… good or bad. So…

……looking looking diligent-ly lest diligent-ly lest anyone fall anyone fall short of the short of the grace of God, grace of God, lest any lest any root of root of bitterness bitterness springingspringing upup

cause cause trouble trouble and by thisand by this [the][the] manymany become become defileddefiled……

If someone wereIf someone were toto riserise upup amongamong

them spreading falsehoods, not them spreading falsehoods, not only wouldonly would itit causecause bitterness amongamong them, but it them, but it could also could also

cause untold cause untold trouble, possibly, possibly even even to the extent of leading to the loss to the extent of leading to the loss of of the majority of their souls! of their souls! (By (By

the way, the Judaizers would the way, the Judaizers would sometimes be-come pseudo-Christians sometimes be-come pseudo-Christians in order to do just that—lead people in order to do just that—lead people

away from Christ [away from Christ [Gal. 2:4, , Jude 4, et. , et. al.].)al.].)

It’sIt’s obviousobvious thatthat this part of the this part of the verse is just verse is just another way of another way of saying that saying that a little leaven leavens the entire

loaf ((1 Cor. 5:6).). Incidentally… Incidentally…

It’sIt’s obviousobvious thatthat this part of the this part of the verse is just verse is just another way of another way of saying that saying that a little leaven leavens the entire

loaf ((1 Cor. 5:6).). Incidentally… Incidentally…

……looking looking diligent-ly lest diligent-ly lest anyone fall anyone fall short of the short of the grace of God, grace of God, lest any lest any root of root of bitterness bitterness springingspringing upup

cause cause trouble trouble and by thisand by this [the][the] manymany become become defileddefiled……

When one reads When one reads Deuteronomy 29:16-21, it seems impossible to , it seems impossible to deny Paul had that passage in deny Paul had that passage in

mind when he penned the passage mind when he penned the passage we’re studying, especially since we’re studying, especially since

it’s the only other place where the it’s the only other place where the idea of idea of a root bearing bitterness is is

found andfound and thatthat in the context of in the context of the Israelites entering into a the Israelites entering into a

covenant re-lationship with the covenant re-lationship with the God who brought them out of God who brought them out of

Egyptian bondage and kept them Egyptian bondage and kept them from extinction through forty years from extinction through forty years

of wandering in the wilderness.of wandering in the wilderness.Now… Now…

Because this Because this verse begins withverse begins with thisthis par-ticiple, itpar-ticiple, it

describes or describes or expounds upon expounds upon the previous the previous verse. verse. I.e…. I.e….

Because this Because this verse begins withverse begins with thisthis par-ticiple, itpar-ticiple, it

describes or describes or expounds upon expounds upon the previous the previous verse. verse. I.e…. I.e….

……lookinglooking diligent-ly lest diligent-ly lest anyone fall anyone fall short of the short of the grace of God, grace of God, lest any root of lest any root of bitterness bitterness springingspringing upup


They needed to They needed to pursue peace and and holi-ness ( (v. 14) to keep out of ) to keep out of

trouble and defilement (trouble and defilement (v. 15). He ). He was essentially saying the same was essentially saying the same

thing here that he said in thing here that he said in 3:12-14: : Beware lest there be in any of you

an evil heart of unbelief in de-parting from the living God, but

exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you

be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin..

……lestlest therethere bebe any fornicator any fornicator or pro-fane or pro-fane person like Esau person like Esau who, for one who, for one morsel of food, morsel of food, sold his sold his birthright.birthright.


……lestlest therethere bebe any any fornicatorfornicator or pro-fane or pro-fane person like Esau person like Esau who, for one who, for one morsel of food, morsel of food, sold his sold his birthright.birthright.

ObviouslyObviously outout ofof purepure hatred, hatred, Judaizers didn’t Judaizers didn’t just try to in-cite just try to in-cite Christians to re-Christians to re-nounce Jesus as nounce Jesus as the Christ and the Christ and return to Judaism, return to Judaism, but they even but they even tried to incite tried to incite them to commit them to commit im-morality:im-morality: Jude 1:4 reads,reads, Certain men have crept in unno-ticed … men who turn the grace of God into licentiousness..

ObviouslyObviously outout ofof purepure hatred, hatred, Judaizers didn’t Judaizers didn’t just try to in-cite just try to in-cite Christians to re-Christians to re-nounce Jesus as nounce Jesus as the Christ and the Christ and return to Judaism, return to Judaism, but they even but they even tried to incite tried to incite them to commit them to commit im-morality:im-morality: Jude 1:4 reads,reads, Certain men have crept in unno-ticed … men who turn the grace of God into licentiousness..

……lestlest therethere bebe any fornicator any fornicator or or pro-fane pro-fane person like Esauperson like Esau whowho, for one , for one morsel of food, morsel of food, sold his sold his birthrightbirthright..

PerPer thisthis verse,verse, aa pro-fane person isis some-one who some-one who uses that which is uses that which is consecrat-ed to consecrat-ed to God (God (or or sacred in sacred in naturenature) in order to ) in order to obtain that which obtain that which is not consecrated is not consecrated to God (to God (or or material material in naturein nature), and ), and Esau il-lustrated Esau il-lustrated this char-acter this char-acter perfectly by using perfectly by using or selling his or selling his birthright to birthright to satisfy a physical satisfy a physical appetite.appetite.

PerPer thisthis verse,verse, aa pro-fane person isis some-one who some-one who uses that which is uses that which is consecrat-ed to consecrat-ed to God (God (or or sacred in sacred in naturenature) in order to ) in order to obtain that which obtain that which is not consecrated is not consecrated to God (to God (or or material material in naturein nature), and ), and Esau il-lustrated Esau il-lustrated this char-acter this char-acter perfectly by using perfectly by using or selling his or selling his birthright to birthright to satisfy a physical satisfy a physical appetite.appetite.

Esau’s birthright meant that he Esau’s birthright meant that he was in line to be the next family was in line to be the next family

priest once his father died, but he priest once his father died, but he had no apprecia-tion for sacred had no apprecia-tion for sacred things; so in parting with this things; so in parting with this

religious honor for mere food, he religious honor for mere food, he essentially declared himself to be essentially declared himself to be a non-religious person. So how did a non-religious person. So how did

this apply to these brethren? this apply to these brethren? Well… Well…

If one of them was incited to If one of them was incited to become a become a fornicator ( (for examplefor example), ), he (he (as one of as one of the firstborn [cf. [cf. v. 23]]) ) would in essence be trading his would in essence be trading his birthright for a physical ap-petite; birthright for a physical ap-petite; he’d lose his privilege of being one he’d lose his privilege of being one of the first ones to be of the first ones to be born again and and see—come into possession of——come into possession of—the kingdom of God ((cf. cf. John 3:3 & & 5).). And according to And according to verses 18-28……

It seems that Paul used Esau (It seems that Paul used Esau (and and all that he failed to valueall that he failed to value) as a ) as a parallel (parallel (typetype) of these brethren ) of these brethren ((and what they would loseand what they would lose) if they ) if they acted like Esau.acted like Esau.

……lestlest therethere bebe any fornicator any fornicator or pro-fane or pro-fane person like Esau person like Esau who, for who, for one one morsel of foodmorsel of food, , sold his sold his birthright.birthright.

According to According to Barnes’ Barnes’ commentary and commentary and Earle’s Greek Earle’s Greek notes, this phrase notes, this phrase refers to a single refers to a single meal, not meal, not something as something as small as a bean, small as a bean, as it may sound as it may sound to us today.to us today.

According to According to Barnes’ Barnes’ commentary and commentary and Earle’s Greek Earle’s Greek notes, this phrase notes, this phrase refers to a single refers to a single meal, not meal, not something as something as small as a bean, small as a bean, as it may sound as it may sound to us today.to us today.

For you know For you know that afterward, that afterward, when he wanted when he wanted to in-herit the to in-herit the blessing, he was blessing, he was rejected, for he rejected, for he found no place found no place for repent-ance, for repent-ance, though he though he soughtsought itit

diligently with diligently with tears.tears.




How could one How could one NOT think of the NOT think of the parable of the ten parable of the ten virgins in virgins in Matthew 25:1-13? ? Try reading that Try reading that sometime with sometime with this passage in this passage in mind: Ja-cob mind: Ja-cob representing the representing the first five virgins first five virgins and Esau and Esau represent-ing the represent-ing the second five second five virgins.virgins.

How could one How could one NOT think of the NOT think of the parable of the ten parable of the ten virgins in virgins in Matthew 25:1-13? ? Try reading that Try reading that sometime with sometime with this passage in this passage in mind: Ja-cob mind: Ja-cob representing the representing the first five virgins first five virgins and Esau and Esau represent-ing the represent-ing the second five second five virgins.virgins.



This also makes This also makes me think of a me think of a couple of kids: Joe couple of kids: Joe & Ted each have a & Ted each have a toy that the other toy that the other wants, so an wants, so an agreed upon agreed upon trade is made; trade is made; but later on when but later on when Joe sees how Joe sees how much fun Ted’s much fun Ted’s hav-ing with his hav-ing with his old toy, he wants old toy, he wants it back, but it’s it back, but it’s too late!too late!

This also makes This also makes me think of a me think of a couple of kids: Joe couple of kids: Joe & Ted each have a & Ted each have a toy that the other toy that the other wants, so an wants, so an agreed upon agreed upon trade is made; trade is made; but later on when but later on when Joe sees how Joe sees how much fun Ted’s much fun Ted’s hav-ing with his hav-ing with his old toy, he wants old toy, he wants it back, but it’s it back, but it’s too late!too late!

For you know For you know that afterward, that afterward, when he wanted when he wanted to in-herit the to in-herit the blessing, he was blessing, he was rejected, for rejected, for he he found no place found no place for repent-ancefor repent-ance, , though he though he soughtsought itit


This clause could This clause could mean at least mean at least three different three different things: things:

This clause could This clause could mean at least mean at least three different three different things: things:

1. It could mean that Esau couldn’t It could mean that Esau couldn’t con-con- jure up within himself any true jure up within himself any true sorrow sorrow for what he had done, but since for what he had done, but since the the antecedent for antecedent for it in the last clause in the last clause isis re- pentance, then to say that he , then to say that he sought it sought it with tears seems to rule out this with tears seems to rule out this inter-interpretation. pretation.

2. As with most sins, it could mean As with most sins, it could mean that that Esau couldn’t find a way to change Esau couldn’t find a way to change the the consequences of his decision, but I consequences of his decision, but I

know of no historical evidence know of no historical evidence that that Esau tried to convince Jacob to Esau tried to convince Jacob to return return his birthright; rather, they simply his birthright; rather, they simply be-be- came long-time enemies. And… came long-time enemies. And…

3. In harmony with theIn harmony with the American American Stand-Stand- ard Version ard Version and many scholars, it and many scholars, it could could mean that Esau couldn’t bring mean that Esau couldn’t bring about a about a change of mind change of mind in his fatherin his father, , though he though he tried tried toto dodo soso withwith passionatepassionate tears.tears. This This is the interpretation which seems is the interpretation which seems to be to be correct, mainly because it correct, mainly because it perfectly cor-perfectly corresponds to what we can read in responds to what we can read in Gene- sis 27:34-38, not to mention the , not to mention the para- para- ble of ble of Matthew 25. So…. So…

If this third interpretation is If this third interpretation is correct, then the parallel is that if correct, then the parallel is that if these breth-renthese breth-ren forsookforsook ChristChrist forfor

Moses,Moses, they’dthey’d dis-cover in the dis-cover in the judgment against the Jews that it judgment against the Jews that it was was too latetoo late to affect a change in to affect a change in

God’s mind then, which God’s mind then, which corresponds perfectlycorresponds perfectly toto howhow thatthat JesusJesus ((afterafter supply-ingsupply-ing plentyplenty ofof signs signs

of their end inof their end in HisHis Olivet DiscourseOlivet Discourse) ) warned them to not wait warned them to not wait too latetoo late

to prepare themselves for the end.to prepare themselves for the end.

For you have For you have not comenot come toto thethe

mounmoun--tain that tain that may be touched may be touched and that burned and that burned with fire & to with fire & to blackness and blackness and darkness and darkness and tem-pest, & the tem-pest, & the sound of a sound of a trumpet…trumpet…

HebrewHebrews s 12:18 - 12:18 - 19a 19a

Although Paul Although Paul never used the never used the phrase phrase Mount Sinai in this in this context, by the context, by the de- scriptionde- scription hehe supplied he left supplied he left no doubt that no doubt that Sinai was the was the place he had in place he had in mind.mind.

Although Paul Although Paul never used the never used the phrase phrase Mount Sinai in this in this context, by the context, by the de- scriptionde- scription hehe supplied he left supplied he left no doubt that no doubt that Sinai was the was the place he had in place he had in mind.mind.


mounmoun--taintain that that may be touched may be touched and that burned and that burned with fire & to with fire & to blackness and blackness and darkness and darkness and tem-pest, & the tem-pest, & the sound of a sound of a trumpet…trumpet…

The reason for The reason for listinglisting these these characteristicscharacteristics here was, I here was, I believe, two-fold: believe, two-fold: ((1) Paul wanted ) Paul wanted to remind to remind them of them of the splendorthe splendor of of the time when the time when Moses received Moses received the wondrous yet the wondrous yet inferi-or inferi-or covenant; and (covenant; and (2) ) he wanted them he wanted them to compare the to compare the fear fear God instilled God instilled in themin them at the at the giving of a lawgiving of a law of of condemnation.condemnation.

The reason for The reason for listinglisting these these characteristicscharacteristics here was, I here was, I believe, two-fold: believe, two-fold: ((1) Paul wanted ) Paul wanted to remind to remind them of them of the splendorthe splendor of of the time when the time when Moses received Moses received the wondrous yet the wondrous yet inferi-or inferi-or covenant; and (covenant; and (2) ) he wanted them he wanted them to compare the to compare the fear fear God instilled God instilled in themin them at the at the giving of a lawgiving of a law of of condemnation.condemnation.


mounmoun--tain that tain that may be touched may be touched and that burned and that burned with fire & to with fire & to blackness and blackness and darkness and darkness and tem-pest, & the tem-pest, & the sound of a sound of a trumpettrumpet……

Although the Israelites were told Although the Israelites were told notnot to touch to touch Mt.Mt. SinaiSinai whilewhile MosesMoses waswas receiv-ing the Law (receiv-ing the Law (v. 20 & & Exo. 19:12-13), that command in and of ), that command in and of itself implied that this mountain itself implied that this mountain was was tangibletangible; Paul want-ed these ; Paul want-ed these

brethren to be sure that they brethren to be sure that they caught that point in order for them caught that point in order for them to clearlyto clearly seesee thethe contrastcontrast betweenbetween thethe re-ceiving of the Old Covenant re-ceiving of the Old Covenant on a physi-cal, earthly mountain on a physi-cal, earthly mountain

and the receiving of the New and the receiving of the New Covenant on a spiritual, heavenly Covenant on a spiritual, heavenly

mountain—Mt. Zion (mountain—Mt. Zion (v. 22).).

Not only are we told that they Not only are we told that they weren’t allowed to touch Mt. Sinai, weren’t allowed to touch Mt. Sinai, but we’re also told that it but we’re also told that it burned with fire for for the Lord descended

upon it in fire ( (Exo. 19: 18); besides ); besides that, it was covered in a that, it was covered in a thick

cloud ( (Exo. 19:16), creating a ), creating a thick darkness ( (Exo. 20:21). ). (By the way, (By the way, the originalthe original wordword forfor blackness herehere isis

translated translated thick cloud in in The DiaglottThe Diaglott.) .) Then…Then…

Added to that was a Added to that was a tempest (storm) and (storm) and the sound of a trumpet. .

Exodus 19:16 tells us that there tells us that there were were thunderings and lightnings..

Exodus 19:18 tells us that tells us that the whole mountain quaked greatly. . And…And…

Exodus 19:16 & & 19 tell us that tell us that the sound of a trumpet was very loud, , becoming becoming louder & louder until it until it ceased.ceased.

Let’s consider a couple of things Let’s consider a couple of things here:here:

Not only here in our text indirectly, Not only here in our text indirectly, but in the entirebut in the entire book of Hebrews,book of Hebrews,

Paul was dealingPaul was dealing withwith thethe passingpassing awayaway ofof thethe old covenant (old covenant (e.g. e.g. 8:13) ) and the bringing in of the new. and the bringing in of the new. Isn’t it interesting that the old Isn’t it interesting that the old covenant went out in AD 70 in a covenant went out in AD 70 in a similar fashion as it came in? And…similar fashion as it came in? And…

Concerning this trumpet…, Concerning this trumpet…, trumpet blasts were a common trumpet blasts were a common signal announc-ing God’s presence signal announc-ing God’s presence and often associ-ated with the and often associ-ated with the giving of a covenant (giving of a covenant (e.g. e.g. Exo. 19:16, , 19, , 20:18, , Mat. 24:31, , 1 The. 4:16, & , & Rev. 11:15).).

……and the voice and the voice of words, so of words, so that those who that those who heard it begged heard it begged that the Word that the Word should not be should not be spoken to them spoken to them anymore.anymore.

HebrewHebrews s 12:19b12:19b


TheThe peoplepeople evidently evidently heard heard God call MosesGod call Moses up up to the mountain to the mountain according to according to Exodus 19:19-20, , because it because it frightened them frightened them to the point that to the point that later (later (when it came when it came time for the Law to time for the Law to be revealed to be revealed to themthem) they asked ) they asked Moses to do the Moses to do the talking lest they talking lest they die from hearing die from hearing God’s voice (God’s voice (Exo. 20:19).).

TheThe peoplepeople evidently evidently heard heard God call MosesGod call Moses up up to the mountain to the mountain according to according to Exodus 19:19-20, , because it because it frightened them frightened them to the point that to the point that later (later (when it came when it came time for the Law to time for the Law to be revealed to be revealed to themthem) they asked ) they asked Moses to do the Moses to do the talking lest they talking lest they die from hearing die from hearing God’s voice (God’s voice (Exo. 20:19).).


The main point of The main point of all these negative all these negative char-acteristics in char-acteristics in refer-ence to the refer-ence to the giving of the Law giving of the Law is that it couldis that it could onlyonly judgejudge and and condemn; it condemn; it couldn’t forgive & couldn’t forgive & save. Now let’s save. Now let’s consider a few consider a few things here: things here:

The main point of The main point of all these negative all these negative char-acteristics in char-acteristics in refer-ence to the refer-ence to the giving of the Law giving of the Law is that it couldis that it could onlyonly judgejudge and and condemn; it condemn; it couldn’t forgive & couldn’t forgive & save. Now let’s save. Now let’s consider a few consider a few things here: things here:

1. While the old law was given via While the old law was given via God’s God’s voice voice onon thethe mountainmountain of Sinai,of Sinai, it it waswas in in essence replaced via God’s voice essence replaced via God’s voice on the on the mountain of transfiguration by a mountain of transfiguration by a new new law ( law (Mat. 17:1-8).).*

2. While God led Moses into a 40-day While God led Moses into a 40-day fast fast before he began sharing with before he began sharing with Israel Israel what we today call the old law what we today call the old law ((Exo. 34:28), the Spirit led Jesus into a ), the Spirit led Jesus into a 40-day 40-day fast before He began sharing with fast before He began sharing with the the people of His day what we today people of His day what we today call call the new law ( the new law (Mat. 4:1-2 && 5—7).).

3. While the Old Law in its entirety While the Old Law in its entirety was was given and instilled over a period of given and instilled over a period of 40 40 years in a literal wilderness, the years in a literal wilderness, the New New Law was given and instilled over a Law was given and instilled over a peri-period of 40 years ( od of 40 years (from AD 30 to AD 70from AD 30 to AD 70) ) in a in a figurative wilderness ( figurative wilderness (Rev. 12). ). And…And…

4. The giving of the Old Law began The giving of the Old Law began with with fear, darkness, earth quaking, a fear, darkness, earth quaking, a cloud, cloud, and a trumpet, then later … it and a trumpet, then later … it ended ended with the same things, things that with the same things, things that de-de- noted judgment ( noted judgment (Luke 21:26 && Mat. 24:7,, 29-30, &, & 34-35).).

((For they could For they could notnot endure what endure what was was commanded: commanded: “And if so much “And if so much as a beast as a beast touches the touches the mountain, it mountain, it shall shall be stoned be stoned or thrustor thrust through with an through with an arrow.”arrow.”


((For For they could they could notnot endure what endure what was was commandedcommanded: : “And if so much “And if so much as a beast as a beast touches the touches the mountain, it mountain, it shall shall be stoned be stoned or thrustor thrust through with an through with an arrow.”arrow.”

This statement This statement does not mean does not mean that God asked that God asked them to do them to do impossible things; impossible things; it rather means it rather means that the command that the command to not even touch to not even touch the mountain lest the mountain lest they die (they die (Exo. 19:12-13) made ) made this a very awe-this a very awe-inspiring, even inspiring, even terrifying experi-terrifying experi-ence. But… ence. But…

This statement This statement does not mean does not mean that God asked that God asked them to do them to do impossible things; impossible things; it rather means it rather means that the command that the command to not even touch to not even touch the mountain lest the mountain lest they die (they die (Exo. 19:12-13) made ) made this a very awe-this a very awe-inspiring, even inspiring, even terrifying experi-terrifying experi-ence. But… ence. But…

((For they could For they could notnot endure what endure what was was commanded: commanded: “And if so much “And if so much as a beast as a beast touches the touches the mountain, it mountain, it shall shall be stoned be stoned or thrustor thrust through with an through with an arrow.”arrow.”

TheThe questionquestion is,is, Why did God Why did God command this? command this? Well, there couldWell, there could bebe atat leastleast two two reasons: reasons:

TheThe questionquestion is,is, Why did God Why did God command this? command this? Well, there couldWell, there could bebe atat leastleast two two reasons: reasons:

1. God may have commanded this God may have commanded this just to just to add add toto thethe intensityintensity ofof thethe phenomenon, phenomenon, cinching the fact that this cinching the fact that this wouldn’t be wouldn’t be an experience easily forgotten. an experience easily forgotten. And/Or…And/Or…

2. Before Christ, sinful man just Before Christ, sinful man just wasn’t al-wasn’t allowed to come into lowed to come into God’sGod’s presence,presence, andand God’sGod’s presence was then presence was then concentrated concentrated upon Mt. Sinai; even Moses was upon Mt. Sinai; even Moses was told to told to not come too close in not come too close in Exodus 3:5..

Later on…Later on…

ThisThis ideaidea waswas picturedpictured inin thethe tabernacle when it was created tabernacle when it was created with two compart-ments, the with two compart-ments, the

holiest of all being God’s room, holiest of all being God’s room, accessible only to the high priest accessible only to the high priest

one day a year; so just as the one day a year; so just as the entrance of a non-high priest entrance of a non-high priest

would desecrate the holiest of all, would desecrate the holiest of all, the allowance of any-onethe allowance of any-one exceptexcept MosesMoses ((alsoalso aa priestpriest,, Psa. 99:6) to ) to

touch Sinai would’ve desecrated it.touch Sinai would’ve desecrated it.

In fact… In fact…

It seems that the reason they had It seems that the reason they had to kill whatever or whomever to kill whatever or whomever

touched the mountain with stones touched the mountain with stones or arrows was because they or arrows was because they

weren’t even allowed to touch that weren’t even allowed to touch that which had come into contact with which had come into contact with it. (it. (This reminds me of how the people This reminds me of how the people re-mained aloof from Moses when he re-mained aloof from Moses when he came down from Sinai with his face came down from Sinai with his face shining so brightly [shining so brightly [Exo. 34:30]. Did ]. Did you ever wonder what would have you ever wonder what would have

happened if someone had touched him happened if someone had touched him before the glow disappeared?before the glow disappeared?))

And so And so terrifying was terrifying was the sight that the sight that Moses said, “I Moses said, “I am exceedingly am exceedingly afraid and afraid and trembling.”)trembling.”)


And so And so terrifying was terrifying was the sight that the sight that Moses said, Moses said, “I “I am exceedingly am exceedingly afraid and afraid and trembling.”trembling.”))

The record of this The record of this statement by statement by Moses isn’t Moses isn’t recorded for us; recorded for us; Paul wrote it by Paul wrote it by inspiration. But if inspiration. But if I were to guess at I were to guess at what point in the what point in the narrative of narrative of Exodus 19 Moses Moses said this, I (said this, I (along along with some scho-larswith some scho-lars) ) would place it at would place it at verse 19. Why? . Why? Because… Because…

The record of this The record of this statement by statement by Moses isn’t Moses isn’t recorded for us; recorded for us; Paul wrote it by Paul wrote it by inspiration. But if inspiration. But if I were to guess at I were to guess at what point in the what point in the narrative of narrative of Exodus 19 Moses Moses said this, I (said this, I (along along with some scho-larswith some scho-lars) ) would place it at would place it at verse 19. Why? . Why? Because… Because…

1. It’s in the context of the time It’s in the context of the time when (when (inin verse 16) it says that God () it says that God (by means by means of all of all those frightening events, especially the those frightening events, especially the loud loud horn-blowing horn-blowing) had caused everyone ) had caused everyone to to tremble ( tremble (just as Moses had done when just as Moses had done when he he first met God first met God onon thethe mountainmountain inin Exodus 3 [cf.[cf. Acts 7:32]] ); besides, seeing that ); besides, seeing that their their leader was afraid would’ve surely leader was afraid would’ve surely made made the rest of them afraid the rest of them afraid asas well.well. And…And…

2. InIn verse 19 we’re told that Moses we’re told that Moses said said something at the point when the something at the point when the trum-trum- pets had become louder and pets had become louder and louder, but louder, but it doesn’t tell us what he said, just it doesn’t tell us what he said, just like like it tells us that God answered him, it tells us that God answered him, but but doesn’t reveal what He said. doesn’t reveal what He said. Anyway…Anyway…

As we close, we must remember As we close, we must remember that Paul’s main point in that Paul’s main point in verses

18-21 was to remind these Jewish was to remind these Jewish brethren of the terrifying yet awe-brethren of the terrifying yet awe-

inspiring circum-stances that inspiring circum-stances that surrounded the giving of the old surrounded the giving of the old

law so that he could go on in law so that he could go on in verses 22-28 to demonstrate to demonstrate

through contrast that what they through contrast that what they were experi-encing in the givingwere experi-encing in the giving of of thethe newnew l lawaw inin their time was much their time was much greater than what their forefathers greater than what their forefathers

had experienced!had experienced!

a study of the apostle paul’s letter to the hebrews

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