Slices
Prepare
Are you anxious or worried about anything? Bring your fears and concerns to the Lord.
Bible passage
Warning and encouragement
14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. 16 See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. 17 Afterwards, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears, he could not change what he had done.
The mountain of fear and the mountain of joy
18 You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; 19 to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, 20 because they could not bear what was commanded: ‘If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.’ 21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, ‘I am trembling with fear.’
22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
25 See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? 26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, ‘Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.’ 27 The words ‘once more’ indicate the removing of what can be shaken – that is, created things – so that what cannot be shaken may remain.
28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29 for our ‘God is a consuming fire.’
Explore
I feel a bit sorry for Esau (v 16; Genesis 25:29–34): it seems unfair that he was tricked out of his birthright. But that is because I don’t feel deeply what a terrible thing it would be in ancient Hebrew culture to trade your birthright for a meal. Esau did not see the value of a future blessing; he preferred something enjoyable right now. In contrast, Jacob’s heart was set on receiving his father’s blessing, including worshipping his father’s God. The contrast here is between the temporal and the eternal.
What has this got to do with the two mountains described in verses 18–21 and 22–24? The Hebrews, to whom the letter is addressed, were Jewish believers facing persecution. Some were tempted to return to Judaism: it would be so much easier. The writer warns that this would make them like Esau, seeking short-term comfort over eternal reward. The writer contrasts the old and new covenants, showing how the unapproachable God can now be approached through the blood of Jesus (v 24).
When we grasp that our access to the heavenly Jerusalem is through the sacrifice of Jesus alone, it becomes easier to live holy lives and have good relationships with others (v 14). Having received grace, we are able to extend it to others also (v 15). It leads us to thanksgiving and worship (v 28).
Respond
Ask the Lord to give you an eternal perspective in all situations.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Exodus 39,40; Acts 4
Pray for Scripture Union
Zoraida Ali-Smith (PA to the Director of Mobilisation) also provides support for the Safeguarding Manager. She asks us to pray that children and young people will get all the help they need and that event teams will act wisely and sensitively if safeguarding issues come to light.
