Title Hebrews 12:4-13 Discipline
Contents
Discipline (Hebrews 12:4-13)
Punishment inflicted when a person commits a wrong is called discipline. Sometimes God disciplines us, just as parents discipline their children. If you understand the will of God who disciplines you, you will not become discouraged or resentful.
Eliphaz said, "Blessed are those who are disciplined by God; therefore, do not despise the rebuke of the Almighty" (Job 5:17).
Let's think about this time discipline together.
1. Types of Discipline
There are several types of punishment. In the text, two kinds of scolding and whipping are suggested (5-6).
Even God first enlightens us about our mistakes through His Word. He still uses a whip when he doesn't listen. What kind of whip does God use?
(1) Sword: “The sword will never depart from your house forever” (2 Samuel 12:10). This is the punishment God gave to David when he despised the word of God and killed Uriah and took his wife. They do not enjoy stability and peace, but they are constantly insecure, chased and taken away, and suffer bloodshed.
(2) Famine (饑饉): "When they came to the heap of twenty grains, there were only ten, and when they came to make fifty vessels into the winepress, there were only twenty" (Haggai 2:16). Drought, locusts, storms, mold, hail, etc. make people's labors in vain. “I have made your teeth idle, and you have run out of bread from every place, but you have not returned to me” (Amos 4:6).
(3) Beasts: Ferocious beasts appear and not only eat their sheep and cattle, but also harm people. 42 young men living in Bethel mocked Elisha and were torn to death by a bear.
(4) Plague: He also strikes the wrongdoers and their children with diseases (Numbers 12:10, 2 Samuel 12:15), and also plagues the whole earth with a pestilence (2 Samuel 24:15).
(5) Complex plagues: “I will bring down my four severe punishments together on Jerusalem with the sword, the famine, the ferocious beast, and pestilence, and cut off both man and beast from it, and the harm will not be more severe” (Ezekiel 14:21).
(6) Human stick and human whip: “If he commits a sin, I will discipline him with a human stick and a human whip...” (2 Samuel 7:14)
(7) Vomiting: “I will vomit you out of my mouth” (Rev 3:16) “I punish for their wickedness, and the land itself vomits out its inhabitants” (Leviticus 18:25).
2. Purpose of Discipline
Being disciplined is never pleasant. It's sad. However, the reason why we should receive such chastisement is that God chastises us for our good, not for our own feelings.
(1) To make us share in his holiness ⑩: If we are not children of God, he will allow us to go to debauchery. However, because he is a beloved child, he is chasing him so that he can become the people of that holy nation.
The Lord is sorry for living in moderate compromise with the world. "You have fought against sin, but you have not yet resisted it to the point of shedding blood..." ④
We must risk our lives to fight sin and fight the world. "If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away... If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away..." (Matthew 18:8-9)
(2) To bring forth the peaceful fruit of righteousness⑪: There is no peace for sinners (Isaiah 48:22). However, when a sin is discovered, rebuked, and disciplined, it is painful at the time, but after the punishment comes the assurance of apology and true peace. “His wrath is temporary, but his favor is a lifetime” (Psalm 30:5).
(3) To make people live ⑨: There are two kinds of God's whip. They are the rods of judgment upon those who are not their own people, and the rods of chastisement upon their own people. The result of the rod of judgment is death, so it is not easy to come down, but the result of the rod of discipline is life, so it is often given. “I have been plagued all day long, and every morning I have been rebuked” (Psalm 73:14).
Do not envy those who have no punishment. Thank you for loving me and chasing me for even the smallest things.
3. When disciplined
(1) Do not take it lightly: If you do not take discipline lightly and do not turn around, you will receive more severe discipline.
“Why are ye more rebellious, that the more lashes may be struck” (Isaiah 1:5).
“He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be destroyed and will not escape” (Proverbs 29:1).
(2) Don't be discouraged: When some people are disciplined, they become depressed, despair, and lose courage. Such an attitude is not right. We need to know that discipline is God's interest and love, and we need to devote ourselves to it.
(3) Obedience: Those who consider themselves righteous cannot easily accept discipline. So, comparing yourself to other people, "Why me..." and complaining and complaining. It's a complaint I'm ignoring because I don't know God's plan for me. I need to understand and obey God's will to refine me.
* What is our spiritual condition now? Tired hands, weak knees, am I not on a crooked path with my legs? Let's receive God's discipline sweetly, fix our shortcomings, and live a strong life of faith