THE CHASTENING OF THE LORD
Notes
Transcript
INTRODUCTION
In encouraging his readers to “run the race that is set before us,” the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews mentions the need for endurance...
INTRODUCTION
In encouraging his readers to “run the race that is set before us,” the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews mentions the need for endurance...
Suggesting that the “race” will not always be an easy one...
1 Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Indeed, our “forerunner” Himself had to endure hostility from sinners and eventually the cross...
2 looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that hath endured such gainsaying of sinners against himself, that ye wax not weary, fainting in your souls.
They were reminded that they had yet to endure as much as the Lord...
They were reminded that they had yet to endure as much as the Lord...
4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin:
Though they had earlier endured “a great struggle with sufferings”
32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were enlightened, ye endured a great conflict of sufferings; 33 partly, being made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, becoming partakers with them that were so used. 34 For ye both had compassion on them that were in bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your possessions, knowing that ye have for yourselves a better possession and an abiding one.
Because persecutions were likely to intensify, they needed “endurance”
35 Cast not away therefore your boldness, which hath great recompense of reward. 36 For ye have need of patience, that, having done the will of God, ye may receive the promise.
To help them in this regard, he reminds them of “The Chastening Of The Lord”...
To help them in this regard, he reminds them of “The Chastening Of The Lord”...
By quoting a well-known passage in the book of Proverbs...
5 and ye have forgotten the exhortation which reasoneth with you as with sons, My son, regard not lightly the chastening of the Lord, Nor faint when thou art reproved of him; 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, And scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
By expounding upon the purpose of the Lord’s chastening...
7 It is for chastening that ye endure; God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye are without chastening, whereof all have been made partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we had the fathers of our flesh to chasten us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed good to them; but he for our profit, that we may be partakers of his holiness. 11 All chastening seemeth for the present to be not joyous but grievous; yet afterward it yieldeth peaceable fruit unto them that have been exercised thereby, even the fruit of righteousness.
Understanding how the Lord might use hardships, even persecutions, to “chasten” them for their good, would serve to encourage them to endure
What does the word “chasten” mean?
What does the word “chasten” mean?
The Greek word is paideia
In the KJV, it is variously translated as “chastening, nurture, instruction, chastisement”
Thayer defines the word in this way:
“the whole training and education of children (which relates to the cultivation of mind and morals, and employs for this purpose now commands and admonitions, now reproof and punishment)”
“instruction which aims at increasing virtue”
In this lesson, I wish to focus on “The Chastening Of The Lord,” using this text in Hebrews as the basis for our study. To begin, let me stress...
In this lesson, I wish to focus on “The Chastening Of The Lord,” using this text in Hebrews as the basis for our study. To begin, let me stress...
DISCUSSION
THE “FACT” OF THE LORD’S CHASTENING
THE “FACT” OF THE LORD’S CHASTENING
Some deny the chastening of the Lord
Some deny the chastening of the Lord
Believing that a loving God would never bring suffering to His children
Believing that any suffering is solely due to the influence of Satan
As some have so interpreted the Book of Job
Yet because Satan himself could not do anything unless God allowed it, Job’s adversity came ultimately from the Lord
11 Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house: and they bemoaned him, and comforted him concerning all the evil that Jehovah had brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece of money, and every one a ring of gold.
The Bible clearly teaches the chastening of the Lord
The Bible clearly teaches the chastening of the Lord
In the Old Testament:
5 And thou shalt consider in thy heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so Jehovah thy God chasteneth thee.
11 My son, despise not the chastening of Jehovah; Neither be weary of his reproof: 12 For whom Jehovah loveth he reproveth; Even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
In the New Testament:
31 But if we discerned ourselves, we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.
19 As many as I love, I reprove and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
And of course, our entire text under consideration - Heb 12:4-11
Especially verses 7-8
Which state that all of God’s children must experience chastening!
The “fact” of the Lord’s chastening cannot be questioned by anyone who accepts the Bible. At this point, let’s consider “how” God might chasten His children...
The “fact” of the Lord’s chastening cannot be questioned by anyone who accepts the Bible. At this point, let’s consider “how” God might chasten His children...
THE “HOW” OF THE LORD’S CHASTENING
THE “HOW” OF THE LORD’S CHASTENING
Chastening in the form of “instructive discipline”
Chastening in the form of “instructive discipline”
There is both “instructive” and “corrective” chastening (discipline)
“Instructive” chastening is designed to prevent the need for “corrective” chastening
Instructive discipline is seen most often in the form of “teaching”
In the form of warnings, admonitions
Thus Jesus could “clean” (purify) His disciples through His teaching...
2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he taketh it away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he cleanseth it, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already ye are clean because of the word which I have spoken unto you.
Through His words Jesus sought to chasten the Laodiceans
15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So because thou art lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spew thee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art the wretched one and miserable and poor and blind and naked: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold refined by fire, that thou mayest become rich; and white garments, that thou mayest clothe thyself, and that the shame of thy nakedness be not made manifest; and eyesalve to anoint thine eyes, that thou mayest see. 19 As many as I love, I reprove and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
One way, then, that God chastens us is through His Word!
But instructive discipline can also be in the form of “tribulation”
In the case of Job...
His suffering was not because he needed correction - cf. Job 1:1,8
Yet God allowed it, knowing it would make him a better man
In the case of the early Christians...
Persecution was looked upon as a form of chastisement - cf. Heb 12:4-6
Their persecution for the cause of Christ was not because they were wicked
But God allowed it, knowing that it would make them stronger
3 And not only so, but we also rejoice in our tribulations: knowing that tribulation worketh stedfastness; 4 and stedfastness, approvedness; and approvedness, hope:
2 Count it all joy, my brethren, when ye fall into manifold temptations; 3 knowing that the proving of your faith worketh patience. 4 And let patience have its perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing.
8 Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour, 9 whom withstand stedfast in your faith, knowing that the same sufferings are accomplished in your brethren who are in the world. 10 And the God of all grace, who called you unto his eternal glory in Christ, after that ye have suffered a little while, shall himself perfect, establish, strengthen you.
Another way, then, that God chastens us is through persecution for Christ’s sake!
Chastening in the form of “corrective discipline”
Chastening in the form of “corrective discipline”
When “instructive” discipline is not heeded, “corrective” discipline follows
Note the example of Judah and Israel:
Failure to heed God’s word would bring judgment upon Judah
4 Thus saith Jehovah: For three transgressions of Judah, yea, for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have rejected the law of Jehovah, and have not kept his statutes, and their lies have caused them to err, after which their fathers did walk. 5 But I will send a fire upon Judah, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem.
God made repeated efforts to bring Israel back to Him
6 And I also have given you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and want of bread in all your places; yet have ye not returned unto me, saith Jehovah. 7 And I also have withholden the rain from you, when there were yet three months to the harvest; and I caused it to rain upon one city, and caused it not to rain upon another city: one piece was rained upon, and the piece whereupon it rained not withered. 8 So two or three cities wandered unto one city to drink water, and were not satisfied: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith Jehovah. 9 I have smitten you with blasting and mildew: the multitude of your gardens and your vineyards and your fig-trees and your olive-trees hath the palmer-worm devoured: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith Jehovah. 10 I have sent among you the pestilence after the manner of Egypt: your young men have I slain with the sword, and have carried away your horses; and I have made the stench of your camp to come up even into your nostrils: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith Jehovah. 11 I have overthrown cities among you, as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and ye were as a brand plucked out of the burning: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith Jehovah. 12 Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel; and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.
Such efforts included famine, drought, pestilence, plague, war, earthquakes
These were not miraculous or supernatural events
But acts of nature brought on by the providential working of God!
Some understood the value of such affliction...
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray; But now I observe thy word.
71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; That I may learn thy statutes.
What about “corrective” discipline today?
What about “corrective” discipline today?
If God would use Providence to encourage Israel to repent before it was too late...
Would not the same God use Providence to chastise His erring children today?
Does He love us any less?
I know of no scriptural reason why God would not use Providence to bring about events in our lives which serve to:
Wake us up
Cause us to reflect on our lives and our relationship to God
Encourage us to repent and turn back to Him if we are straying
There are several passages which suggest that God might bring some form of “corrective” discipline if we do not heed His “instructive” discipline...
Some of the Corinthians had already begun to experience God’s chastisement, which they could have avoided if they had “judged” themselves (by heeding His word)
30 For this cause many among you are weak and sickly, and not a few sleep. 31 But if we discerned ourselves, we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.
Jesus spoke of some way in which He would punish some at Thyatira that would be evident to all
20 But I have this against thee, that thou sufferest the woman Jezebel, who calleth herself a prophetess; and she teacheth and seduceth my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 And I gave her time that she should repent; and she willeth not to repent of her fornication. 22 Behold, I cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of her works. 23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he that searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto each one of you according to your works.
I therefore have no problem with the idea that God may choose to employ corrective discipline in the form of national and even personal affliction
My understanding of a loving God chastening His children is tempered by my understanding of “why” He does this...
My understanding of a loving God chastening His children is tempered by my understanding of “why” He does this...
THE “WHY” OF THE LORD’S CHASTENING
THE “WHY” OF THE LORD’S CHASTENING
Certainly not because He delights in doing so
Certainly not because He delights in doing so
God found it necessary to bring judgment upon Israel...
3 Judah is gone into captivity because of affliction, and because of great servitude; She dwelleth among the nations, she findeth no rest: All her persecutors overtook her within the straits. 4 The ways of Zion do mourn, because none come to the solemn assembly; All her gates are desolate, her priests do sigh: Her virgins are afflicted, and she herself is in bitterness. 5 Her adversaries are become the head, her enemies prosper; For Jehovah hath afflicted her for the multitude of her transgressions: Her young children are gone into captivity before the adversary.
It was not something He wanted to do...
31 For the Lord will not cast off for ever. 32 For though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses. 33 For he doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men.
When necessary, it is for our good
When necessary, it is for our good
To correct us...
9 Furthermore, we had the fathers of our flesh to chasten us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
Our human fathers do so, and we respect them for it
Should we not expect the same from the “Father of spirits”, and submit to it?
That we may be partakers of His Holiness...
10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed good to them; but he for our profit, that we may be partakers of his holiness.
Our human fathers do it for what seems best to them
Our heavenly Father does it for a reason that far excels any earthly purpose!
That we may yield the peaceable fruit of righteousness...
11 All chastening seemeth for the present to be not joyous but grievous; yet afterward it yieldeth peaceable fruit unto them that have been exercised thereby, even the fruit of righteousness.
In the short term, the experience is unpleasant
But in the long term, we benefit by such “training”!
CONCLUSION
Whether “corrective” or “instructive” chastisement, it is always for our good
Whether “corrective” or “instructive” chastisement, it is always for our good
It may be grievous - Heb 12:11a
But it will produce “the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it” - Heb 12:11b
“Corrective” chastisement can mostly be avoided...
“Corrective” chastisement can mostly be avoided...
By correcting ourselves...
31 But if we discerned ourselves, we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.
Which we can do by taking heed to God’s Word...
2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he taketh it away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he cleanseth it, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already ye are clean because of the word which I have spoken unto you.
But even when we heed the “instructive” chastisement through the Word of God, we may still experience some form of tribulation...
But even when we heed the “instructive” chastisement through the Word of God, we may still experience some form of tribulation...
Such as persecution for the cause of Christ
Brought on by Satan, working in and through the world...
8 Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour, 9 whom withstand stedfast in your faith, knowing that the same sufferings are accomplished in your brethren who are in the world.
Not because we are wicked, but because we are righteous! (like Job)
Yet God can use even that to provide a form of “instructive” discipline, in which the good are made even better!
May the prayer expressed by Peter help us to endure should we experience such tribulation…
May the prayer expressed by Peter help us to endure should we experience such tribulation…
10 And the God of all grace, who called you unto his eternal glory in Christ, after that ye have suffered a little while, shall himself perfect, establish, strengthen you. 11 To him be the dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
