Hebrews 12:12-17
12: Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble,
Therefore—or because the discipline of the Lord is for our good, and leads us to share in His holiness (verse 10)—strengthen the weak hands and feeble knees. Make straight paths so you can walk straight, not crooked, not out of joint, but properly and right. This is good and this is healing. Allow His discipline—His Word and instruction—to make your walk straight and to strengthen and heal you. Don’t disregard these lessons but realize the value in His instruction.
Paul used Esau as an example of someone who didn’t recognize the value of his inheritance as the oldest son. Nor did he realize the importance of a seemingly insignificant incident where he sold his birthright to his younger twin brother for a bowl of soup (Genesis 25:33). We must do both—recognize the value of our inheritance in Christ—the holiness He purchased for us with His own blood—and we must also recognize the importance of the daily incidents of our lives and the decisions we make on our path.
Esau was called immoral and godless for what he did. We must pursue sanctification for we won’t see the Lord without it. We must pursue peace and refuse any roots of bitterness. Jesus said the pure in heart will see God (Matthew 5:8). John said when we see Him, we will be like Him for we’ll see Him as He is. Just the hope of this purifies us (1 John 3:2-3).
Eventually Esau realized the mistake he made in giving away his inheritance, but it was too late, even though he sought it with tears. Paul said to resist sin to the point of blood (verse 4). It’s vital that we recognize the guidance of the Lord throughout the course of our day. The events, the coincidences, the encounters of our everyday lives are not meaningless. We must pay attention to what the Lord is telling us.
We must also pursue and seek out His instruction. We don’t want to just get tossed around by the waves of life—always reacting, always on the defense. We want to intentionally seek out the Lord and His instruction. Develop a habit of reading and studying His Word. Set time aside to seek Him in prayer. Discipline involves both the development of our habits in pursuing the Lord, as well as receiving His correction, guidance, and instruction along the way.
13: and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.
14: Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.
15: See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled;
14: Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.
15: See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled;
16: that there be no immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal. 17: For you know that even afterwards, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears.
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Therefore—or because the discipline of the Lord is for our good, and leads us to share in His holiness (verse 10)—strengthen the weak hands and feeble knees. Make straight paths so you can walk straight, not crooked, not out of joint, but properly and right. This is good and this is healing. Allow His discipline—His Word and instruction—to make your walk straight and to strengthen and heal you. Don’t disregard these lessons but realize the value in His instruction.
Paul used Esau as an example of someone who didn’t recognize the value of his inheritance as the oldest son. Nor did he realize the importance of a seemingly insignificant incident where he sold his birthright to his younger twin brother for a bowl of soup (Genesis 25:33). We must do both—recognize the value of our inheritance in Christ—the holiness He purchased for us with His own blood—and we must also recognize the importance of the daily incidents of our lives and the decisions we make on our path.
Esau was called immoral and godless for what he did. We must pursue sanctification for we won’t see the Lord without it. We must pursue peace and refuse any roots of bitterness. Jesus said the pure in heart will see God (Matthew 5:8). John said when we see Him, we will be like Him for we’ll see Him as He is. Just the hope of this purifies us (1 John 3:2-3).
Eventually Esau realized the mistake he made in giving away his inheritance, but it was too late, even though he sought it with tears. Paul said to resist sin to the point of blood (verse 4). It’s vital that we recognize the guidance of the Lord throughout the course of our day. The events, the coincidences, the encounters of our everyday lives are not meaningless. We must pay attention to what the Lord is telling us.
We must also pursue and seek out His instruction. We don’t want to just get tossed around by the waves of life—always reacting, always on the defense. We want to intentionally seek out the Lord and His instruction. Develop a habit of reading and studying His Word. Set time aside to seek Him in prayer. Discipline involves both the development of our habits in pursuing the Lord, as well as receiving His correction, guidance, and instruction along the way.
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