Hebrews chapter 12:1 starts with “Therefore” It is always a good idea to read back in context to see what it is there for. In Chapter 11 the writer has just taken us through the faith hall of fame giving examples of how to stay in faith and hope through any circumstance. – Hebrews 12 (NKJV) 1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 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.” – Aramaic Bible in plain English (2010) (Hebrews 12:6) “For whomever THE LORD JEHOVAH loves, he instructs, and draws aside his children with whom he is pleased.” Note: verse 5,6 quoted from ( Proverbs 3:11-12) Solomon’s proverbs were penned around 900 B.C. writer reminds the Hebrew reader of what they have known. (Proverbs 3:11,12) My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: 12 For whom the LORD loves he corrects; even as a father the son in whom he delights. – Verse 3,4 previously reminds us Jesus was perfected by the things that He suffered. (Heb 5:8) Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; Jesus’ suffering was not in terms of sickness or of suffering at the hands of His Father, but rather from persecution for the Word’s sake. And, He suffered the temptation of letting ‘this cup pass’ from Him in the garden. He resisted to the point of shedding blood. (Heb 4:15) He was tempted in all ways, yet without sin. The resisting of temptation and the striving against sin is the context of the chapter. Even Jesus found it unpleasant to resist, and strived to the point of sweating blood. “Not my will but your will” was a prayer to his Father in submission. He was submitting to his Fathers will in the garden. We need to understand that sickness, tragedy and the loss of jobs or loved ones does not perfect us. The thief only comes to steal, kill and destroy. The Lord has given us His word to perfect us, and the five-fold ministry gifts mentioned in (Eph 4:11-12) 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, We have (2 Tim 3:16) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (Heb 4:12) says: For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. From this passage we understand that it is possible for the child of God to be perfected without tragedies or sickness. It is the Word of God that perfects us. It is the Word that ‘corrects’ and ‘reproves’ us. As we submit to the Word and apply it to our lives, we are being transformed outwardly to the spiritual image we have inwardly – the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Cor. 5:21). (James 1:2-3) My brothers, count it all joy when you fall into divers (various) temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith works patience (endurance). (Titus 2:11-12) For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; (John 15:1-3) Jesus speaks of ‘purging’ or pruning the branches that they might bear more fruit. Some have taken this to refer to sickness and calamity as well. However, in verse 3 Jesus says: “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.” The word ‘clean’ is the same Greek word translated ‘purgeth’ in the prior verse, and shows us that Jesus cleanses us, or purges us, by His Word, not by sickness. (James 1:13-14) Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempts he any man: (with it) But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. (James 4:17) Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. (1 John 3:20) For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. (Romans 14:23)…….for whatever is not of faith is sin. Again, the chastening of the Lord is when you decide to put the Word over your own fleshy desires and you resist. As you resist temptation you learn obedience, as did Jesus. If God used sickness and disease to perfect us. We would have a lot of perfected Christians running around by now. It is not so, look around. If sickness cancers etc. are given to us in certain cases by God to correct us. Why are Christians running to unbelieving non Christians doctors to get out of God’s so called will for them? Trials and tribulations in a born again professing Christians life are persecutions and rejections that come for the Words sake. 7 If you endure chastening, that is (It is for discipline that you endure), 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. The writer then continues by comparing such an ordeal to enduring chastisement or the discipline of God. If you endure chastening (which has been likened to resisting temptation), it is as a father dealing with his son. Sons who are not disciplined (sons of God who don’t resist temptation) are like bastards and not sons. He then compares such striving against sin to the discipline of an earthly father. We subjected ourselves to their discipline and though unpleasant, it yielded fruit. It wasn’t joyous but it was worth it. To be subject to the ‘Father of spirits,’ is referring to the resisting of temptation, and that we not ‘be wearied and faint in our minds.” When we resist temptation it isn’t easy, it isn’t joyous, but if we submit to God, and resist the devil (James 4:7), then we will also experience the fruit of righteousness. Writer makes it clear to compare enduring chastisement or the discipline of God. To our earthly human Fathers to assure us God does not us sickness or disease to correct us. If earthly fathers or mothers injected children with disease or cancers to correct them. Or even unnecessarily beat and bruised them. They would have the children removed from them by the state or local government. Notice verse 11 “for a few days” a grown up mature Christian is past the point of this father child example. (Romans 13:1) Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. 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. verse 18-27 gives us hope to endure and not to refuse the blood of Jesus the new covenant. Verse 24 Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel. 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 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.(reverence acknowledgement) 29 For our God is a consuming fire. Note: The writer in verse 12 exhorting once again that we lift up our weary hands and feeble knees (the tiring work of resisting.) Verse 15 continues with the warning against the sin of bitterness that would defile many. He continues listing fornication, profanity or rejecting our ‘birthright’ (salvation) as did Esau in order to satisfy the flesh. God does not brings these temptations or trials our way on purpose, but when we are subjected to temptations or trials we are to look unto Jesus, endure the chastening of resistance, despise the shame and run with patience our race. The writer of Hebrews is comparing himself to a father (a spiritual father) and his letter represents God’s correction, exhortation and discipline. The entire letter is a letter of correction and explanation to Jewish Christians who were tempted to return to the Law and the sacrifices and leave their faith in Jesus alone. In this context, the ‘chastisement of the Lord’ is the letter itself. And I appeal to you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words. (Heb 13:22)
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What about Isaiah 53?
The chastisement of the Lord is His covenant instruction and education that reveals His goodness and activity in the life of people. Its not about punishment but about God revealing His goodness. With that understanding, we know that Isaiah says “the chastisment for our peace was upon Him.” Also, “Jesus learned obedience through the things which He suffered.” In this context, the cross was not about Jesus carrying punishment from God that was meant for us, but it was about God using the cross to reveal His goodness in reconciling the world to Himself through Jesus. God was not making some legal judgment against sin but He was acting as a Father, and releasing the captivity of His children through the forgiveness, not judgment, of sin. John Calvin legalized Christianity with his legal, lawyer like view of the atonement, but it was more an act of love from God to His creation.
1Jn 4:9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
1Jn 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
1 Peter 2:23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
God was not punishing Jesus on our behalf at the cross. Jesus was enduring suffering at the hands of men, and it pleased God because it was accomplishing salvation for those who would believe. The cross was about love, forgiveness and reconciliation, not God executing judgment against sin and sinners.
– God is not mad, I hope this helps, Peace
Kingdom Healer 