Commentary on Hebrews 12:4-7,11-15

Today Hebrews has a very important lesson. It tells us how to look at the pains and sufferings that occur in our life. We should not be discouraged by such experiences, nor should we take such things lightly.

The reading opens with the concluding verse of yesterday’s reading, where the author reminds the Hebrew Christians that in their struggle against sin, they have not yet been called on to shed their blood (as the martyrs did). The ‘struggle’ evokes a boxing match or a military conflict.

He reminds them with an exhortation that is taken from the Book of Proverbs (3:11-12, quoting from the Greek Septuagint text), in which they are addressed lovingly as a “child”, but a child who needs correction.

Proverbs urges that any punishment that comes from the Lord should not be taken lightly. At the same time, one should not become despondent because of such punishment. The reason is clear:

…the Lord disciplines those whom he loves
and chastises every child whom he accepts.

Clearly, the Hebrews felt that their trials were a form of punishment or rejection by God. On the contrary, they are urged to endure their trials from God as a form of discipline or training.

They need to realise that the trials they are undergoing are because God is treating them as children whom he dearly loves. Are there any parents who do not discipline their children, especially when those children are acting out of line? Not to discipline misbehaving children is to spoil them and guarantee they will not turn out well. It is not a sign of real love.

Of course, discipline at the time seems painful and may be resented, but later it is appreciated because of its formative effects:

…discipline always seems painful rather than pleasant at the time, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

So the Hebrew Christians are told to hold up their limp arms, steady their trembling knees and smooth out the path they tread. They are not to slump into a kind of despair and feeling of being abandoned. The phrase comes from Isaiah:

Strengthen the weak hands
and make firm the feeble knees. (Is 35:3)

If they do accept the trials they are sent:

…what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.

It is exercise, not passivity, that restores strength to damaged limbs.

God’s love is in fact present in every single experience, both good and bad. At the time, it can be difficult to see this, but later on we may be able to see a real good in what happened, e.g. a stint in hospital or the loss of a loved person. A serious sickness can help one to re-evaluate the quality and direction of one’s life. As Paul says:

We know that all things work together for good for those who love God… (Rom 8:28)

The final lesson is wise advice:

Pursue peace with everyone and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

It is an echo of the Beatitude:

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. (Matt 5:9)

The reason for this is not just to have peace in one’s own life, but to bring peace into the lives of others:

See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God, that no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble and through it many become defiled.

A peace-filled person can be a source of much strength to people in need of affirmation and support. We may not be able to avoid pain coming into our own lives, but we should never be the source of pain in the lives of other people.