Despise not the Lord's Chastening Hebrews 12:5

The writer of Hebrews desired for his readers to “consider” Jesus “that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest you be wearied and faint in your minds”, and he told them “you have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin”. In chapter twelve and verse five of Hebrews, the writer shares how his readers should “despise not the chastening of the Lord” where we read:

And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks unto you as unto children, My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when you are rebuked of him:

The verse begins, “And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks unto you as unto children,...”. The writer began with the words, “And you” which refers to “the readers of Hebrews” “have forgotten” or “are utterly oblivious of” “the exhortation” which means “the supplication, entreaty, admonition and encouragement” “which speaks” or “that converses, argues and discusses” “unto you as unto children” which means “to the readers of Hebrews as sons and daughters of God”. Not only had the readers of Hebrews not “resisted unto bloodshed”, but the also were “oblivious” to the way God “speaks” unto them as His “children”.

The verse goes on to say, “My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when you are rebuked of him:”. The writer continued with the words, “My son” which refers to “those whom God esteems as sons whom he loves, protects and benefits above others”, “despise not” which means “do not have little care for, regard lightly or make small account of” “the chastening” or “the whole training and education of children through tutorage and education” “of the Lord” which refers to “he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master and the title given to God the Messiah”, “nor faint” which means “not becoming despondent or faint hearted” “when you are rebuked” or “when the readers are convicted, refuted and confuted” “of him” which refers to “the Lord”. The writer of Hebrews exhorted his readers not to “despise” the “training and education” of the Lord, and they were not to lose heart when they were “convicted and refuted” by Him.

When we think through these words in Hebrews, we see the concern and exhortation from the writer for his readers to remember the way God “speaks” to them as “children”. God desires for his “children” to know that He will care for them, and when He corrects, educates and trains Him, they should not lose “heart” or “faint” concerning His exhortation or “rebuke”. Jesus came to provide access to God as His “children”, and because He loves us so much, He will “convict” us when we do wrong and “rebuke” us when we have need for it. Let us rejoice that we have an Almighty God who desires intimacy as a family with us, and let us know His instruction is to our benefit rather than demise.

Next time the writer tells his readers “whom the Lord loves he chastens”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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