In
sharing with his readers about how they were not to “despise”
“the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when you are rebuked of
him”. He also told them, “whom
the Lord loves he chastens, and scourges every son whom he receives”
. In chapter twelve and verse seven of Hebrews, the writer
shared how his readers should “If
you endure chastening” where we read:
If you
endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons;
for what
son is he whom the father chastens not?
The
verse begins, “If you endure chastening, God deals with
you as with sons; ”. The
writer began with the words, “If you” which
refers to “the readers of Hebrews” “endure”
which means “take patiently” “chastening”
which means “the whole training and education of children which
includes commands, admonitions, reproofs and punishments”, “God”
which refers to “the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised
of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “deals
with you” or “brings to,
leads and treats the readers” “as with sons”
or “in the same manner as descendants and posterity”. The writer
encouraged his readers concerning “chastening”
because it means that God “leads and treats” them as His
children.
The
verse goes on to say, “for what son is he whom the father
chastens not?”. The writer
continued with the words, “for what son” or
“because who is the descendant or posterity” “is he
whom” which means “is the
son who” “the father” or
“the male generator, parent or ancestor” “chastens
not” or “does not share the
whole training and education of children which includes commands,
admonitions, reproofs and punishments”. The writer rhetorically
asked his readers what “father” doesn't give his children the
“training and education” they need.
When
we meditate upon these words in Hebrews, we see how “training and
education” is important not only to earthly children, but also to
those who are the “children” of God. When God “deals
with” us as His “children”, He is going to “train
us and educate us” in His ways. When we stray from His paths, He
will provide correction, and if necessary, He may “afflict” us.
However, we may know this, God loves us, and He corrects and trains
all who believe in His Son Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
Next
time the writer shares what happens if his readers are “without
chastisement”,
so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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