Lesson 4964

 (Lesson 4964) (09-03-25) Hebrews 12:9-17 

   “Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.” 

 

   Today’s quote begins by comparing earthly fathers, who discipline their children for a time, with God, who disciplines His children in much the same way, except that God’s discipline never stops. Though that discipline might seem painful at the moment, it bends us back to righteousness and peace. The lesson urges believers to strengthen their weak hands and feeble knees, to walk straight in the pursuit of Christ’s righteousness. We are warned not to let bitterness take root to defile us. The author of this text used Esau as an example of failure, who for one meal sold his birthright, showing the danger of trading eternal blessings for temporary satisfaction. Once lost, he could not recover it. In essence, the lesson teaches that God’s discipline is evidence of His love, that those of us who believe in Him must always pursue peace and the righteousness of Jesus Christ, and we must guard against bitterness toward one another while making worldly choices that lead to eternal loss. ~