CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 12
Verses 1, 2. A cloud of witnesses bear witness to the success of faith; and it is for us an encouragement to run the race. But, far above all these witnesses there is One who has shewn faith in its perfection, it is Jesus; and the word directs our eyes towards Him. “The race that is set before us.” Allusion is made to the games of the Greeks; these games were contests in which there were different exercises, such as wrestlings, racings, etc. Responsibility attaches to the race of the Christian, and the Lord will deal in judgment with our race. “Jesus the author and finisher of faith.” In all that touches faith, Jesus has had the pre-eminence, having passed through all difficulties and having overcome them all.
Verses 3, 4. If we have to bear with the contradiction of men, it is no reason for fainting. Christ has met and vanquished this contradiction; in Him we shall also be conquerors. “Resisted unto blood.” In persecutions; Luke 12.
[p. 33] Verse 5. But persecution may assume the character of discipline from the Lord. If so, there are two things to heed: not to despise it, for it is chastening; not to faint, for it is sent in grace.
Verses 6, 11. Satan is the instrument of the troubles we suffer, be it under persecution or under the discipline of God; but it is from God Himself we receive the strokes. Job received the blows God had intended for him, by the instrumentality of the enemy. Jesus bore the power and wickedness of Satan in the act of drinking the cup of His own death, and yet He took this cup from His Father’s hand. We find the same connection of facts in Psalm 118: 10, 13, 18.
Verses 17, 18. Several warnings are given to the Hebrews in verses 12-16. Here are now two motives given to support them: “For you know how that afterwards when he would have inherited the blessing, he [Esau] was rejected ... . For ye are not come to the mount that might be touched.” You are waiting for a fine inheritance: would you make light of it as did Esau? And consider also that it is not the case with you as with those who were at Sinai; you are come unto mount Zion, you have to do with grace which is followed only by judgment.
Verses 22-24. The enumeration of the families which compose this glorious company gives to us the whole history of the last days. The order to be traced seems to me to be this: the enumeration begins at the first step of the ladder to go up to its highest step, even to God, and comes down again to the millennium. There are eight particular subjects. The conjunction “and” which unites them, being repeated each time, serves to distinguish them.
“Unto mount Zion,” the seat of royal grace. When all was lost and the name Ichabod [the glory is departed] was written on Israel, God intervened for His people. He gave prophets to bring back this erring people; but especially David, the king, through grace. It is by his service the Lord established His ark in rest in Zion. There was through grace the mount of deliverance for Israel after they had failed in everything. This grace abides for the future: Christ shall reign in Zion. “And unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem.” The church in its heavenly position is seen in contrast with Zion on the earth.
“[p. 34] And to an innumerable company of angels, the general assembly.” It is the universal congregation of the heavens, seen as a whole. “And to the church of the firstborn which are written in heaven” is the church in particular. “And to God the judge of all.” It is God in His character of Judge, for the bringing in of the millennium. The church being mentioned, we reach to God the centre of everything.
“And to the spirits of just men made perfect”: the saints of various dispensations before the church. Having ascended up to God, we find the saints of the Old Testament. They are “made perfect,” they have run the race, but have not yet received the crown. It is with them as with those who, among the Greeks, had won the prize in the stadium; the reward was not given immediately. They had to wait for a special festival on that occasion.
“And to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant.” Jesus pressed to accomplish the promises and to bless Israel.
“And to the blood of sprinkling” is the blood of the new covenant. Although it has an application at this present time, this blood belongs especially to the millennium.
Verses 25-27 are a very remarkable testimony to the authority of Christ. He who speaks from heaven now is the One who shook the earth in the day of Sinai, and who will soon shake the heavens and the earth.