When you look for Father’s Day cards you tend to see two general types. There are the sailboat and classic card variety with some general thanks to dad. Then, there are the humorous type that usually poke fun at his lack of fit it ability and the like. The one quality you never seem to see, is the one thanking dad for his discipline. Most likely it is because disciple is such a despised quality today and it is so hard to both do and receive.
The background to the audience of Hebrews helps us understand the nature of disciple and the picture of fatherhood.
Hebrews 12:4 [4]In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. (ESV)
All the Jews to whom the book of Hebrews was written were undergoing persecution because of their break with Judaism. It was coming from their Jewish friends and relatives, who resented their turning their backs on the religious customs and traditions in which they had been born and raised.
The affliction had largely been in the form of social and economic pressure, though some of them had been imprisoned (10:34). We can imagine the arguments they heard for rejecting the new faith. “Look at what you have gotten yourselves into. You have become Christians and all you have had are problems, criticism, hardship, and suffering. You have lost your friends, your families, your synagogues, your traditions, your heritage—everything.”
Those who had made mere professions of faith were, under this pressure, in danger of reverting to Judaism, of apostatizing. The true believers were in danger of having their faith seriously weakened by adopting again the rituals and ceremonies of the Old Covenant (MacArthur, J. (1996, c1983). Hebrews. Includes index. (383). Chicago: Moody Press.)
Some believers perhaps were wondering why, if their God was a God of power and of peace, they were suffering so much. “If God is such a loving Father, why is this all happening”.
In looking at Hebrews 12: 5-11, we see the answer to this and in this answer we see the pattern of the Divine Father and a picture of good earthly fatherhood. First, we see that:
1) God’s Discipline is Parental: Hebrews 12:5-8
Hebrews 12:5 [5]And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.
In understanding God as father and the earthy lesson, I am going to spend just about all the time on this first point to work out the picture and discuss the implications.
Quote: The problem stems, as one commentator remarked: “the indisputable axiom, we cannot be profoundly influenced (or encouraged) by that which we do not know. The comfort and strength of God’s Word will avail us not at all if we do not know it” (Hughes, R. K. (1993). Hebrews : An anchor for the soul. Preaching the Word (20169). Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books.)
• In beginning this passage the challenge have you forgotten the exhortation is bringing us to the source of understanding of proper fatherhood: the word of God. This is the source to see and understand the actions of our Heavenly Father and the instructions to earthy fathers.
• Here the writer recalls and expounds Proverbs 3:11, 12. Trials and sufferings in the Christian’s life come from God who uses them to educate and discipline believers by such experiences. Such dealings are evidence of God’s love for His own children (MacArthur, J. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible : New American Standard Bible. (Heb 12:4-11). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
• It is important that this is directed towards “sons”. In the context of when this was written, it was “sons” who received inheritance rights. We will see that this designation is very important to show the significance of men and women to have special status and privileges in the family of God. The Greek word for “son” is huios, and it means “full-grown son.” Don’t think that just because we are going to look at God and man as Father, that if you are not one, you can tune out. This relates to everyone, even those who are literally “full-grown” in seeing the need for discipline.( McGee, J. V. (1997, c1981). Thru the Bible commentary. Based on the Thru the Bible radio program. (electronic ed.) (5:602). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.)
• The word translated “discipline,” paidiea, has wider meaning than “chastening” or “punishment.” It also means the training up of a child, a teaching, preparation for life, an art or science, or an instruction. (cf. Acts 22:3; 1 Timothy 1:20; Titus 2:12). The main emphasis is upon preparation for life. Chastening or punishment is only a small part of preparation.
• This should not be too hard to relate. For example, in scholarly circles we ask the question “What is your discipline?” We are not asking, “What is your punishment?” Rather, we want to know, “What field of study or what art are you studying?” The emphasis is upon the learning of a skill, the preparation for a given profession. The same word is used in athletics. Discipline is that process by which we are taught and by which we learn.( Evans, L. H., Jr, & Ogilvie, L. J. (1985). Vol. 33: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 33 : Hebrews. Formerly The Communicator’s Commentary. The Preacher’s Commentary series (221). Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson Inc.)
• There is an interesting progression in Hebrews 12:5 from discipline to reproof. Discipline or “Chastening” (paideia ) is to be borne with “subjection” (Heb 12:9); reproof/“rebuke” (more severe than chastening) is to be borne with endurance (Heb 12:7).
• Implicit in the warnings of regarding this discipline lightly here is to ignore the discipline. How do some do this?
• We can become callous to God and His Word, so that when He is doing something in us or for us, we do not recognize His hand in it. When we are callused, God’s discipline will harden us instead of soften us.
• We may also treat God’s discipline lightly by complaining. In this case, we do not forget God; in fact our attention is on Him, but in the wrong way. Instead of showing patient endurance, like the hero saints, we gripe and grumble. We do not accuse God of anything wrong, at least not in so many words. But complaining to God amounts to just that—believing He is doing something not quite right. Fretting comes from nothing but disbelief, lack of trust in God to do everything right, especially for His children.
Quote: Arthur Pink comments, “Remind yourself of how much dross there is yet among the gold and view the corruption of your own heart and marvel that God has not smitten you more severely. Form the habit of heeding His taps, and you will be less likely to receive His raps.”
• We can prevent God from accomplishing His desired result through discipline by questioning. Like complaining, questioning shows a clear lack of faith. When a child asks his parents, “Why?” he usually is not looking for a reason but is challenging them to justify what they want him to do or not do. In exactly the same way, our questioning God implies that He is not justified in doing what He is doing to us.
• Even when we recognize His discipline as discipline, we may question whether it is of the right kind, of the right severity, of the right length, or has come at the right time. If we spank our child, he may think that going without supper would have been a better punishment. Or if we ground him for two days, he may think that withholding his allowance for a week would have been more appropriate. A parent’s discipline, of course, is never perfect, but it is much more likely to be appropriate than what the child deems right. We need to recognize that God’s discipline is always the right discipline, the perfect discipline—exactly what we need.
• Perhaps the greatest danger in regarding God’s discipline lightly is carelessness. When we do not care about what purpose God has in the discipline or about how we can profit from it, His discipline cannot be effective. It becomes like a blessing that we misuse. He gives it for our benefit and His glory, but we do not use it for either. We thwart its purpose by spiritual indifference (MacArthur, J. (1996, c1983). Hebrews. Includes index. (390). Chicago: Moody Press.).
We are also reminded in Hebrews 12:5 not to become weary in discipline. Some people become so overcome in correction that they give up; they become despondent, depressed, faint. They become spiritually inert, unresponsive to what God is doing or why. They are not callous, complaining, questioning, or careless. They are simply immobilized. They give up and collapse. T
• The psalmist had this experience, and cries out to himself, “Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me?” He knew his problem, and he also knew the cure, for he continues, “Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance, and my God” (Ps. 42:11). The cure for hopelessness is hope in God. The child of God has no need to faint because of God’s discipline. God gives it to strengthen us, not to weaken us, to encourage us, not to discourage us, to build us up, not to tear us down.
• This is also the proper motivation for human parental discipline.
When, by our taking it lightly or by our becoming despondent, God’s discipline is not allowed to accomplish His purpose in us, Satan is the victor. God’s purpose is lost, and our blessing is lost (MacArthur, J. (1996, c1983). Hebrews. Includes index. (391). Chicago: Moody Press.)
Hebrews 12:6 [6]For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives."
• This is probably the most difficult to understand by those who receive disciple, but it is a good picture of the nature of God. He is not conflicted in His attributes. He is not battling justice with mercy or wrath with love. Each attribute is perfectly complementary with each other attribute. Therefore, He can perfectly discipline in love. It is not that His love shuts off or is pushed aside, but why and how He disciplines is perfect loving discipline.
• For us as Fathers, one of the most destructive things that sets children against us is when we swing in emotion. One moment we are happy, the next in a rage. Children become aloof and bonds are difficult to form. The picture here of God is helpful to develop our character so that our actions are all informed by godly character.
To the Christian who is responsive to the Lord’s discipline, this section proves two things: God’s love and our sonship.
• The picture here of chastises/SCOURGES figuratively refers to flogging with a whip, and generally refers to any a severe and painful form of correction that was a common Jewish practice (cf. Mt 10:17; 23:34).
• When we read the word chastening, or chastisement, we tend to think of a whipping. But here the word means child training or education. It includes instruction, discipline, correction, and warning. All are designed to cultivate Christian virtues and drive out evil. In this passage, the chastening was not punishment for wrongdoing, but training through persecution. (MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer’s Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Heb 12:6). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.)
There is an intended aim here from God the Father:
Revelation 3:19 [19]Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. (ESV)
Hebrews 12:7[7]It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? (ESV)
• Because all are imperfect and need discipline and training, all true children of God are chastened at one time or another, in one way or another.
• By remaining submissive to the chastening of God, we permit His discipline to mold us into His image. If we try to short-circuit His dealings with us, He may have to teach us over a longer period of time, using more instructive, and consequently, more difficult methods.
While we may indeed know of some children who were never disciplined, we also know what kind of children they are—unruly, destructive, mean, and lacking self-control (the book of Proverbs also attests to this; see Proverbs 5:22–23; 10:17; 12:1; 13:18-24; 15:5; 22:15; 23:13).( Barton, B. B., Veerman, D., Taylor, L. C., & Comfort, P. W. (1997). Hebrews. Life application Bible commentary (210). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.)
• The father who refuses to discipline, God says here he actually hates his child. He is setting the child up for more sever correction. When a father fails, God must step in and correct in a manner that can be much more difficult for a child.
• The irony is that this permissive father will reap a society of these children and he himself will suffer at every turn.
• The tragedy is that we all reap what some have failed to sow.
Hebrews 12:8 [8]If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. (ESV)
The concept of some being illegitimate is a unique phrase in Scripture and the word is found only here in the NT. “Illegitimate children” were those born of a slave or concubine. For the original audience, only illegitimate children received no discipline, attention, or education. Under Roman law, illegitimate children also did not receive any inheritance or recognition that came with being a genuine child. When we experience God’s discipline, we can be encouraged that we really are God’s children. (Barton, B. B., Veerman, D., Taylor, L. C., & Comfort, P. W. (1997). Hebrews. Life application Bible commentary (210). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.)
• Every father who loves his son disciplines him; and, likewise, it is true that the father does not discipline the boys of the neighborhood. They understand that they are not his sons.
We have seen over the past few weeks the picture of God’s standard displayed in creation and put into the Human heart with conscience. For those who are not God’s children, they who harden their consciences and reject God’s evident standard. God then allows these illegitimate people to:
Romans 1:24 [24]Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, (ESV)
What’s the impact on children of just letting them be?
Illustration: 1348 Letting Children Free to Develop?
A gentleman named Coleridge was once talking with a man who told him that he did not believe in giving little children any religious instruction whatsoever. His theory was that the child’s mind should not be prejudiced in any direction, but when he came to years of discretion he should be permitted to choose his religious opinions for himself.
Coleridge said nothing; but after a while he asked his visitor if he would like to see his garden. The man said he would, and Coleridge took him out into the garden, where only weeds were growing. The man looked at Coleridge in surprise, and said, “Why this is not a garden! There is nothing but weeds here!”
“Well, you see,” answered Coleridge, “I did not wish to infringe upon the liberty of the garden in any way, I was just giving the garden a chance to express itself and to choose its own production.” (Tan, P. L. (1996, c1979). Encyclopedia of 7700 illustrations : A treasury of illustrations, anecdotes, facts and quotations for pastors, teachers and Christian workers. Garland TX: Bible Communications.)
1) God’s Discipline is Parental
2) God’s Discipline is Perfect. Hebrews 12:9-10a
Hebrews 12:9-10a [9]Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? [10]For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, (but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness). (ESV)
The two products of discipline mentioned in these verses are closely related to the three purposes of discipline previously mentioned. God’s discipline produces life and produces holiness.
It is the disciplined child who respects his parents. The surest way for a parent to lose, or never gain, his child’s respect is never to correct or punish him, no matter how terrible the child’s behavior. Even while they are growing up, children instinctively know that a parent who disciplines fairly is a parent who loves and cares. They also realize that a parent who always lets them have their own way is a parent who does not care. We had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them, because of what that discipline proved and produced. (MacArthur, J. (1996, c1983). Hebrews. Includes index. (395). Chicago: Moody Press.)
To be subject to the Father involves respect for God and it equates to submission to His will and law. The message here is that those who willingly receive the Lord’s chastening will have a richer, more abundant life.
Psalm 119:165 [165]Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.
• We understand the comparison from an earthly perspective, if we are going to be under the Fathers house, we need to be under His rules.
Father of spirits is in contrast to “human fathers” (lit. “fathers of our flesh”).
• Continuing from our examination last week in 1 Timothy 1:17. Since God is spirit, He is eternal, immortal, invisible and the only God. His standard in discipline is eternal, he is immortal, and not overcome with unjust rage of the moment, as a mortal can be overcome with their passions. Since He is invisible, it is difficult to recognize Him at times as the source of discipline. Yet, He is the only God, who perfectly knows us, loves us and cares for us.
Our efforts are for a short time, often only as long as we have sons and daughters under our roofs. Children grow up, leave home, and move beyond the discipline of their parents.
God, however, never finishes with his children. God disciplines us for a lifetime. For this we should be thankful rather than complaining.( Lea, T. D. (1999). Vol. 10: Hebrews, James. Holman New Testament Commentary; Holman Reference (220). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.).
2 Corinthians 4:17 [17]For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, (ESV)
We are to take the Biblical principles of training and discipline thereby doing this work as it seems best, applying the standards in child rearing.
• Sometimes earthly fathers are severe, other times mild. Sometimes they showed favoritism; sometimes they were concerned only for their own interest.
• Although we are as early Fathers take our cue from the Heavenly father in training and discipline, we can at times be overcome with guilt and failings. Not negating the tremendous responsibility, we cannot expect omniscience and command of the Holy Spirit as the heavenly Father has. We are to train those under our responsibility when they are young, yet realize that we can only do that which seems best from our limited knowledge and ability. The aspect of best here relates not only to the divine standard but recognizing the particular temperament and abilities of our unique individual children.
Ephesians 6:4 [4]Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. (ESV)
Although God’s disciple is perfect, it can be a daunting thing to live up to the standard. There’s a poem which reflects well on this:
Poem: Just Like Daddy
A teardrop crept into my eye as I knelt on bended knee;
Next to a gold haired tiny lad whose age was just past three.
He prayed with such simplicity “Please make me big and strong,
Just like Daddy, don’t you see? Watch o’er me all night long.”
“Jesus, make me tall and brave, like my Daddy next to me.”
This simple prayer he prayed tonight filled my heart with humility.
As I heard his voice so wee and small offer his prayer to God,
I thought these little footsteps someday my path may trod!
Oh, Lord, as I turn my eyes above and guidance ask from Thee;
Keep my walk ever so straight for the little feet that follow me.
Buoy me when I stumble, and lift me when I fail,
Guard this tiny bit of boy as he travels down life’s trail.
Make me what he thinks I am is my humble gracious plea
Help me ever be the man this small lad sees in me!
(Galaxie Software. (2002; 2002). 10,000 Sermon Illustrations. Biblical Studies Press.)
1) God’s Discipline is Parental 2) God’s Discipline is Perfect
3) God’s Discipline is Profitable: Hebrews 12:10b-11
Hebrews 12:10b [10](For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them), but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.
Imperfect human fathers discipline imperfectly; but God is perfect and therefore His discipline is perfect and always for the spiritual good of His children.
• Discipline has a clear goal in view. Through discipline, God helps us to share His holiness, to be Holy as He is Holy (1 Pet. 1:16).
• Through discipline, we are to reflect the family standard.
This is not just a hope in discipline but a guaranteed result:
Hebrews 12:11 [11]For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. (ESV)
Discipline itself is not meant to be pleasant. If it were pleasant, it would have little corrective power. By its very nature, discipline is unpleasant to administer and to endure. Medicine, surgery, physical therapy, and other such treatments that we willingly endure are often very often painful, uncomfortable, and inconvenient. We endure them for the sake of the end result—better health.
How much more should we be willing to endure the Lord’s treatment of our spiritual needs, which afterwards … yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness? We should consider our troubles as spiritual treatment, which builds our character and our faith, our love and our righteousness. It will never look like it from the natural perspective, but from the perspective of faith, we see that discipline is one of God’s richest and most rewarding blessings on His children. (MacArthur, J. (1996, c1983). Hebrews. Includes index. (397). Chicago: Moody Press.)
Note the picture here of being trained. The same word was used in 5:14
Hebrews 5:14 [14]But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. (ESV)
1 Timothy 4:7 [7]Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; (ESV)
The training in Hebrews 12:11 also rendered Discipline, relates to the beginning what we are looking at in Hebrews 12, of running the race. “Discipline” is an athletic term denoting the rigorous, self-sacrificing training an athlete undergoes. Spiritual self-discipline is the path to godly living (cf. 1Co 9:24–27).
Please turn to Romans 5
• We can’t expect that the exercise of proper disciple as fathers or the reception of discipline from God the Father will just come naturally. It will be difficult but reap a positive result.
Romans 5:3-5 [3]More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, [4]and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, [5]and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (ESV)
Turn over now to Romans 8
Quote: The times where we overcome difficulties are often the most fruitful
Leslie Weatherhead testified: “Like all men I love and prefer the sunny uplands of experience, where health, happiness, and success abound, but I have learned far more about God and life and myself in the darkness of fear and failure than I have ever learned in the sunshine. There are such things as the treasures of darkness. The darkness, thank God, passes. But what one learns in the darkness one possesses for ever. “The trying things,” says Bishop Fenelon, “which you fancy come between God and you, will prove means of unity with Him, if you bear them humbly. Those things that overwhelm us and upset our pride, do more good than all that which excites and inspirits us.” (Leslie Weatherhead, Prescription for Anxiety, p. 32.)
Or consider the following testimony by C. H. Spurgeon:
“I am afraid that all the grace I have got out of my comfortable and easy times and happy hours might almost lie on a penny. But the good that I have received from my sorrows and pains and griefs is altogether incalculable. What do I not owe to the hammer and the anvil, the fire and the file? Affliction is the best bit of furniture in my house.(C. H. Spurgeon, “Choice Gleanings Calendar.”)
The end result is specified in our text with Hebrews 12:11 as a fruit of righteousness. (This is the same phrase as in Jas 3:18).
Romans 8:14-18 [14]For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. [15]For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" [16]The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, [17]and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. [18]For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (ESV)
The greatest peaks achieved came after the steepest and most difficult climbs. If we focus on the difficulty in discipline, the steepness of the climb we will tire and become discouraged. When we focus on the end aim of discipline, then it will be put into perspective, and our roles as Fathers and accepting the correction from our heavenly Father, will be seen in the loving action that it is.
(Format Note: Outline from audio message of Dr. Royce Short: Professor of Religion, at BJU.)
