The Fifth Warning: How Can We Escape? (12:14-29)

The Context and Superiority of Christ.  After the lengthy "Hall of Faith" chapter, the author urges the Hebrews, "Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses... let us run the race with endurance." (Heb. 12:1).  Similiar to Paul's "therefore" in Rom. 12:1 where he moves from doctrine to application, the author of Hebrews moves from greatness of Christ and the faith He caused to urging the Hebrews "not grow weary and lose heart" (Heb. 12:3).  He then uses the illustration of a father discipling his children to show that God "disciples us for our own good" (Heb. 12:10) so that we might receive reward and "share His holiness" (Heb. 12:10).

The Sin and Possible Problem.  This warning begins with a reminder of Esau who was "immoral" and "sold his own birthright for a single meal."  Esau neglected his inhertance for the sake of temporal pleasure and ease, which is exactly what the Hebrews where in danger of.  The formal warning comes in verse 25, where he says, "How can we escape?" (Heb. 12:25b).  This warning parallels the first (Heb. 2:3) and, together, they serve as brakets for the book's content on the superiority of Christ over Judiasm.  The sin is again neglecting a great inheritance and refusing to listen to Christ (Heb. 12:25a).

The Warning and Consequences.  The warning is that there will be no escape from temporal judgment in this life and possibly a loss of future inheritance similiar to Esau's loss.  Esau did not think through the consequences of turning over his birthright for food.  The Hebrews are told to think through giving up their eternal reward for temporal pleasure and ease.

The Exhortation and Encouragement.  The final exhoration is again to listen to the Mediator of the New Covenant (Heb. 12:24-25).  Chapter 13 closes the book with further encouragement and reasons to persevere.  Christ will never leave us (Heb. 13:5), he is always the same (Heb. 13:8), he has suffered for us (Heb. 13:12), he is bringing a lasting city to come (Heb. 13:14), and he has completely equipped us to persevere (Heb. 13:21).

Old Testament Examples.  The Old Testament speaks of cutting off a Jew who had committed certain sins (Num. 15:27-31; Ex. 31:14-15; Deut. 17:4-6).

New Testament Cross References.  Similiar passages in the New Testament have already been discussed and include Acts. 5:6, 10; I Cor. 9:24-27; I John 2:28.