Don't Lose Heart Series

A The key word in text is “discipline”, used 9 or 10 times; means “child training, instruction, discipline.”

1 The word does not mean punishment alone (the implication is present, but not prominent), but rather corrective measures which will eliminate sin and increase holiness.

a In this case, the struggles of that the Jews were having because of their faith wasn’t intended as a punishment, but as a “strengthening” of their faith.

aa The author cites Proverbs 3.11,12 as “how” they should receive discipline from the Lord. (They had forgotten, which is a by product of getting “dull toward the word”; Heb. 5.11,12).

Proverbs 3:11-12 (NASB) 11 My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD Or loathe His reproof, 12 For whom the LORD loves He reproves, Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.

Hebrews 5:11-12 (NASB) 11 Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food.

bb God was using their struggles as a warning not to return to the temple sacrifices, lean into Jesus as High Priest.

b Their persecutions were exercises that the Father was using to strengthen their faith (12.11).

Hebrews 12:11 (NASB) 11 All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.

2 When we’re suffering it’s easy to think that God doesn’t love us so the writer offers three proofs that discipline comes from the Father’s heart.

a The Scriptures tell us so.

aa The key words in this passage (vs. 5,6) are sons, but it doesn’t mean “child”, but rather it means adult child.

Hebrews 12:5-6 (NASB) 5 and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, "MY SON, DO NOT REGARD LIGHTLY THE DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD, NOR FAINT WHEN YOU ARE REPROVED BY HIM; 6 FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES."

bb He deals with us not as infants, but as adult sons/daughters who have been adopted and given an adult standing in His family (Rom. 8.14-18; Gal. 4.1-7).

Romans 8:14-18 (NASB) 14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" 16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

Galatians 4:1-7 (NASB) 1 Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything, 2 but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father. 3 So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world. 4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, 5 so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. 6 Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.