The Assurance of the Love of God (Heb. 12:5–13)

5 For to which of the angels did He ever say:“You are My Son, Today I have begotten You”? And again:“I will be to Him a Father, And He shall be to Me a Son”? 6 But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says:“Let all the angels of God worship Him.”7 And of the angels He says:“Who makes His angels spirits And His ministers a flame of fire.”8 But to the Son He says:“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever;A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.9 You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness;Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.”10 And:“You, LORD, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth,And the heavens are the work of Your hands. 11 They will perish, but You remain; And they will all grow old like a garment;12 Like a cloak You will fold them up, And they will be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will not fail.”13 But to which of the angels has He ever said:“Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool”?

The key word in this section is chastening. It is a Greek word that means “child training, instruction, discipline.” A Greek boy was expected to “work out” in the gymnasium until he reached his maturity. It was a part of his preparation for adult life. The writer viewed the trials of the Christian life as spiritual discipline that could help a believer mature. Instead of trying to escape the difficulties of life, we should rather be “exercised” by them so that we might grow (Heb. 12:11). When we are suffering, it is easy to think that God does not love us. So the writer gave three proofs that chastening comes from the Father’s heart of love.

I. The Scriptures (vv. 5–6).

5 For to which of the angels did He ever say:“You are My Son, Today I have begotten You”?And again:“I will be to Him a Father, And He shall be to Me a Son”? 6 But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says:“Let all the angels of God worship Him.”

A. The quotation is from Proverbs 3:11–12, a statement that his readers had known but had forgotten.

This quotation (Heb. 12:5–6) is an “exhortation,” which literally means “encouragement.” Because they forgot the Word, they lost their encouragement and were ready to give up!

This is one of the sad consequences of getting “dull” toward the Word. see Heb. 5:11–12.

B. The key words in this quotation are “son,” “children,” and “sons.”