hands) or his legs grow limp (v. 12). We are to be sure that we run on a straight and even track, lest some being made lame stumble and fall out of the course (v. 1 3 ). If such does happen to one, we are to heal him that he might run again (cf. II Cor. 2 : 6 ) . There is to be among us no profane person like Esau, who for a temporary satisfaction sold his part in the re demptive plan of God (v. 1 6 ). Even though later he earnestly desired to receive it again, he could not. His tears of regret were insufficient to en able him to change his mind or atti tude (root meaning of repentance), so that he would be a fit instrument in God’s hands for divine service (v. 1 7 ). Even so, we, too, shall suffer if for the safety and ease of a meaning less Christian life we forfeit the op portunities of this present moment. We have only one life in which to serve God. The tears of old age can not undo the failures of our youth. How we need to heed this warning! M i s s i o n ( w . 1 8 -2 9 ) Furthermore, our motive is rooted in a divine mission which is expressed in a new covenant. Ours is not a mis sion which was sealed among the fires and thunderings of Mount Sinai (w . 1 8 -2 1 ; cf. Ex. 1 9 : 1 6 ; Deut. 9 : 1 9 ) . Our covenant is sealed in Mount Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem (cf. Gal. 4 : 2 1 - 3 1 ) , wherein is an innumerable com pany of angels, and the company of the redeemed (the kingdom of God), and God the Judge of all, and the spirits of Old Testament saints whose justification has now been perfected, and Jesus who is the Mediator of our new covenant, whose blood has been sprinkled, and which speaks more elo quently than the blood of Abel (w . 2 2 -2 4 ). This is but a summary of the author’s foregoing argument as to the superiority of our covenant over the old. III. Conviction as a Motive (w. 13:1-19) To do this we must be a people of 33 3. O u r R e l a t io n s h ip i n a D i v in e
CAMPUS CONFERENCE
July 3 during Biota's Campus Conference (see back cover). Dr. Wilson will also be heard during June on the "BIOLA HOUR." tian’s present trials. Because we are God’s children, the world hates us (John 15:19). This truth the author seizes upon by quoting from Proverbs 3:1-12: ‘My son, despise not thou (re gard not lightly) the chastening of the Lord, nor faint (relax) when thou art rebuked of him : . . The word ‘to chasten’ is a Greek word meaning to train a child, and should be so trans lated through this passage. The word ‘rebuked’ in Alexandrian Judaism is the term used for an appeal to a per son to rise to the higher philosophy of life (Conybeare). Thus the present afflictions of the Hebrew Christians are but a training and an appeal for them to rise to a greater life of serv ice. Not that God Himself actually sends these things upon His people, but He allows them to come, and will use them for their training, if they will only regard them in that light (v. 7).” 2. O ur R e l a t io n sh ip to O n e A n o t h e E ( w . 12-17) Because we are all members of the family of God, we have a responsi bility to ourselves and to one another in seeing to it that no one fails in his Christian growth and service. There fore we are to see to it that no one grows weary in the race, so that his hands droop (hold up one another’s
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