Subject: Suffering and God's providence |
Bible Note: Hi atdcross, As I survey Heb. 11, I find: By faith: We know God created everything. Abraham offered Isaac. Enoch was translated. Noah built the ark. Abraham left his home. Sarah conceived. Isaac blessed Jacob. Jacob blessed the sons of Joseph. Joseph gave orders for his bones. Moses was hid. Moses identified with the Hebrews. Moses left Egypt. ...kept the passover. ...passed through the Red Sea. The walls of Jericho fell. Rahab survived. Gideon prevailed. Barak prevailed. Samson prevailed. Jephthah prevailed. Kingdoms were subdued. Righteousness wrought. Promises obtained. Lion's mouth's stopped. Quenched fire. Escaped the sword. Were made strong. Dead raised. Others tortured. mockings and scourgings. Bonds and imprisonments. Were stoned. Sawn in two. Slain with the sword. Were destitute. Afflicted, tormented. 28 non-persecution examples. 9 persecution-related examples. To say that the primary characturization of the example of this chapter is the suffering of persecution ignores three fourths of the examples given. At the end of chapter 11, all are considered in the same group. "and these all, having obtained a good report through faith, did not receive the promise, for God had provided some better thing for us, that they should not be made perfect without us." They are all grouped together, then contrasted against the church, which has received a better covenant. This is the point of the book of Hebrews, a better covenant. Now we go to chapter 12. Seeing what they all went through, and considering the superiority of our covenant, (Therefore) let us lay aside every weight and sin. . . Verse three speaks of the "contradiction" of sinners against Jesus. This is not neccessarily persecution, but could also be opposition, hostility, or rebellion. Verse four specifically says "struggling against sin." This is not persecution. It is not a sin to be persecuted. Look back to verse one, the sin that so easily ensnares US. I do not agree with your exposition of this passage. Look back to Proverbs, which this writer is quoting: Proverbs 3:11-12 My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline or be weary of his reproof, (12) for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights. There is no other context. This is a stand-alone statement. I think I am starting to go in circles on this topic. I really don't know what else I can add, so I would prefer to move on to something new. God bless you! Love in Christ, Mark |