They Could not Endure the Commands Hebrews 12:20

The writer of Hebrews referred to the “mount” where the people of Israel heard “the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words”, and he shared how “they that heard entreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more”. In chapter twelve and verse twenty of Hebrews, the writer shared how the people of Israel “could not endure that which was commanded” where we read:

(For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:

The verse begins, “(For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain,...”. The writer began with the word, “For” which means “even as, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, verily and therefore” “they could not endure” which means “the people of Israel were not able to carry, bear patiently, uphold or produce” “that which was commanded” or “the charge, disposal, admonition and order”, “And if so much as” or “and even if or only and at least” “a beast” which refers to “a brutal, savage, ferocious and wild animal” “touch” which means “handle and have to do with” “the mountain” or “the hill or mount”. The people of Israel were not able to “bear” the “commandments” of God, and the “animals” were not to come into contact with the mountain.

The verse continues, “...it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:”. The writer added the words, “it shall be stoned” or “the animal was to be killed by pelting it with stones”, “or thrust through” which means “shot down or pierced” “with a dart” which refers to “a missile or javelin”. If an animal “touched” the sacred mount, the people were to kill that animal by “stoning” it or piercing it with a “dart” or arrow.

When we think through these words in Hebrews, we understand how “sacred” was this mountain where God spoke to Moses. Not even the animals were exempt from giving reverence to it. If an animal “touched” the “mountain” where God spoke to Moses, it was to be killed. This should demonstrate to us just how awesome God is, and He should be honored, worshiped and adored. Jesus, God's Son, was the only “holy” one who could approach God's throne on our behalf, and solely by Him do we have access to the Heavenly Father. All others might as well be as these “beasts” or those who could not “endure the commands”.

Next time the writer shares how “so terribly was the sight”, 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.