FORGOTTEN EXHORTATION
Monday – July 9, 2018, Tamuz 26, 5778
Greetings and welcome back to this wonderful and insightful Bible Study taken from the Book of Hebrews. God is so wonderful. We have finished the faith chapter reviewing all the wonderful examples of faith for our learning. Now, we are plunging fully into chapter twelve, so let’s take a look at our primary text reading it aloud.
Hebrews 12:5-7 (KJV)
5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
This section or passage concerning the “chastening of the Lord” is lengthy extending through verse eleven. Any chastening, any correction that comes from the Lord is His Word. The chastening or corrections of the Lord are NEVER variations of poverty or sickness, it is always His Word. Poverty and sickness is always the work of the devil, the curse, and never of the Lord. The Lord has to allow it when we refuse instruction and go crossways the Word. He will send ministering spirits (Holy Spirit, Holy Angels, peoples) to us with the Word of God that we need to bring correction in our lives. Will we choose to harden our hearts and stiffen our necks or will we soften our hearts and loosen our necks? Hear the Word of the Lord.
Psalm 94:11-13 (KJV)
11 The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.
12 Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law;
13 That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked.
The Lord points out to us that our thoughts are vanity (empty and transient), we are self-absorbed in our own importance. The Lord is talking about thoughts here that are contrary to the Word of God, and the good and wonderful plan of God. Twelve is the number of God’s perfect government, the Church is God’s government in the earth. So, as we delve into verse twelve we find that our Blessing (Power) comes from listening carefully and doing what is in the law (all the Words of God). If we stay with our own vain and worldly thoughts we are powerless and out of the will of God and there is likely stealing, killing, and destroying at some level evident in our lives. God, our loving Father, NEVER gives us poverty or disease to correct us, to teach us something, or straighten us up. For one thing where would He get poverty and disease to give us? MOST importantly that is not our Heavenly Father’s character.
The word “blessed” in Psalm 94:12 is speaking of supernatural empowerment. If we want supernatural empowerment in our lives let’s invite the Lord to teach us so that we become just like Jesus. The more we are like Him the more the supernatural will function in our lives. Just as an aside, perhaps the three biggest blessing killers in our lives is unforgiveness, offense, and judging other while failing to judge ourselves. Part of making the chastisement of the Lord effectual in our lives is humbling ourselves to receive of Him directly and through others (sometimes that is the rub). Also, we must be willing to honestly judge our own thoughts, words, and actions according to the Word of God. Verse thirteen from Psalm 94 tells us that the payoff of receiving a correction in our belief system makes us more and more like our Heavenly Father. Receiving correction will close the door to the enemy (spiritual) and give us rest while the Lord is dealing with the schemes of the wicked in our lives. Thank you, Jesus, correct on!!
Now back to verse five of our primary text. The word “exhortation” in this verse has to do with bringing us comfort. Remember the Holy Spirit is our Comforter, our Teacher. The exhortation or teaching brings us comfort for it removes adversity far from us. The writer of Hebrews cautions us to not think lightly (despise) of the chastening of the Lord. Sometimes we are listening to something and we say to ourselves “oh yeah, I know about this”. That is a dangerous place to be, listen up, the Lord may be trying to bring some nuggets of correction that will chase adversity far from us and bring rest into our lives. Do not look at the messenger but look intently at the message. Sometimes it will seem like we are getting a complete makeover, however, we must not faint in those times but stick with it. God Himself is taking the time and effort to perfect (bring maturity, to be sons) us. Why? Because He loves us and does not want to see us in adversity but as sons advancing the Kingdom of God.
Until our next publication, I speak this Scriptural prayer for your life right now, receive it in the name of Jesus, confess it, and walk it out with thanksgiving.
2 Peter 1:2-4 (KJV)
2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
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