Day 354, 20th December Bible Commentary With Dr Oluwatoyin Ojo From the Book of Hebrews.
THE INVISIBLE CREATED THE VISIBLE
Every of our faith starts from believing that God exist, and that he created all things
HEBREWS 11:1-40
FAITH
Spiritually, the definition and act of faith are same: “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.” v.1,3.
Faith is popularly referred to as the currency of heaven — it endeared Abraham to God.
Similarly, ancient faithfuls expressed faith in various capacities and situations and were commended by God —
Abel’s righteous giving, Enoch, Noah’s reverential fear and obey, even Sarah Abraham’s wife (v.11). All these people considered themselves sojourners on earth seeing the temporariness of their time on earth rather than permanent residents; a mindset that made it possible for them to long for heaven with an assurance.
THE LIFE AND FAITH OF ABRAHAM IS CELEBRATED — his eagerness to sacrifice Isaac (v.12,17-19)
The act of prophetic blessing practiced by Isaac, Jacob the fathers of faith in said in prayer for their children and descendants are all commended (v.20-22)
MOSES
The parents of Moses’ courage and foresight (v.23). Then Moses himself when he had come of age, by faith forsook the pleasures of the palace and treasures of Egypt, and in due time led Israel out of Egypt — they “passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.” v.29 (read v.24-29)
• “By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them.” v.30
Rahab the prostitute’s welcome of the spies was also mentioned (v.31).
More prophets and kings were mentioned all of whom received divine commendation, promise and rewards(v.32)
• Through faith, men and women of faith, realized, expressed, experienced supernatural powers: Some conquered wars, administered justice, received back their dead, many endured persecution—unto death, deprivation, perils “living in caves and in the ground. These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.”v.38c-40.
HEBREWS 12:1-29
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” v.1-2a,b.
He endured the cross and despised the suffering for his reserved seat and eternal glory with God.
In view of this, we must embrace correction when rebuked by the divine, “because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” v.6, Proverbs 311,12.
With God the Father of all spirits, discipline proves our legitimacy — just as it is between earthly parents and their children (v.7-9).
• God is grooming us for holiness (v.10) — “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” v.11; Be strengthened therefore, and make your paths secure (v.12)
v.14-17
“Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” v.14
Be gracious and avoid bitterness — God is in our mist. Ensure sexual sanity, and prudence in deed, not just for yourself but for the believers. None must have the outcome of Esau — who lost his birth right (v.16-17)
• It is my conclusion that; to fulfil the above divine expectations a believer must led a diligent life like the ants, always observing, reaching out, correcting, entreating, supporting, persuading, in and out of season. While not neglecting their personal role as lifestyle ambassadors.
We are before God and thousands and thousands of angels and the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus the commander of our new covenant “ and to the sprinkled blood that speaks better word than the blood of Abel.” v.24 (see v.2224)
• The manifestation of God’s presence use to be different; it was terrible such that even Moses feared (see v.18-21; ref Exodus 1912,23 , Deuteronomy 919
• Therefore, ensure obedience because God promised to shake the “heaven and the earth once more.” v.26; Haggi 26.
• “The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken — that is, created things — so that what cannot be shaken may remain.” v.27
• You will agree that there is yet to be a building so high, a personality so eminent that has not be shaken — we all have been shaken for example as a world by the COVID-19 pandemic — shutting down all doors including the glass doors. All airlines and airports were unused.
Fellow believers, we inherited a kingdom “that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our ‘God is a consuming fire.’” v.28-29 (see Deuteronomy 424)
Hebrews 12:29
“Our God is a consuming fire” Let him purify us, and protect us. Let him burn for our help. Amen.
©️ 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 Dr Oluwatoyin Emiola Ojo.
Warmth
Toyin
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