SEE THAT YE REFUSE NOT HIM THAT SPEAKETH
Lesson 27
Hebrews 12:25-29

Henry Mahan

There are only five verses in this lesson; but they are words of grace, words of hope, words of warning, and words of promise.

(Vs. 25) "HIM THAT SPEAKETH" is Christ, the Mediator of the new covenant.

1. He spoke for the elect in the council and covenant of eternal grace (Heb. 8:6).
2. He spoke in the creation of all things out of nothing (Heb. 11:3; John 1:1-4).
3. He spoke from Sinai in giving the Law.
4. He spoke as Prophet of the church in days of His flesh.
5. He spoke through His servants in giving the Scriptures.
6. He speaks now in heaven, interceding for believers.

How foolish to refuse to hear Him, but men do (John 1:11; John 3:19; John 5:43).

(a) His gospel is REFUSED through unbelief,
(b) His gospel is NEGLECTEDthrough indifference, and
(c) His gospel is PERVERTED through covetousness and self-righteousness.

"HIM THAT SPOKE ON EARTH" may mean God, Who spoke on Mt. Sinai in giving His Law, or Moses, who was on the earth and of the earth, who spoke for God to the people as a mediator whom they promised to hear and heed, but did not! (Acts 7:37-39.)

If they, who refused.to hear the words of Moses, did not escape the wrath and Judgment of God, how shall we escape if we turn away from Him Who speaks from heaven? (Heb. 1:1-2; Heb. 2:1-3.) Christ came from heaven; He is the Lord of heaven; His doctrine is from heaven; and, having finished His work, He is seated in heaven from which He shall come to judge or reward all men (John 12: 47-50).

(Vs. 26) At Sinai the earth was shaken by His voice, which voice was the voice of thunder, the voice of trumpets, and the voice of words (Exo. 19.18-19; Psalm 68:7-8). Once more I shake not the earth only but also heaven" (Haggai 2:6-7). This was the coming of the Messiah–the birth, life, death, and resurrection of our Redeemer. His coming not only shook the earth but all of heaven also!

(Vs. 27) "AND THIS WORD, YET ONCE MORE" indicates THE FINAL REMOVAL of all that can be shaken, such as Sinai and its Law, the Jewish state (both political and ecclesiastical), the whole Mosaic economy, the tabernacle with its ceremonies and sacrifices, and all things pertaining to Divine worship which are made with hands and which are made to be shaken and removed (Heb. 10:8-10).

"THAT THOSE THINGS WHICH CANNOT BE SHAKEN OR MOVED MAY REMAIN." This is THE KINGDOM AND PRIESTHOOD OF CHRIST WHICH IS FOREVER and all the good things that come through Him, such as justification, adoption, redemption, sanctification, and the heavenly inheritance, also the doctrines and ordinances of the gospel–baptism, the Lord's Supper, and the church!

(Vs. 28) We have been received into His kingdom; and we, by faith, have received the scepter of King Jesus. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. His kingdom and reign shall know no end (Phil. 2:9-11). Therefore, let us offer to our Lord pleasing service, acceptable worship, and praise with reverence and godly fear. He is Almighty God and worthy of all praise and worship. The statement, "Let us have grace," is better rendered, "Let us hold the gospel of the grace of God and continue therein!" (Heb. 13:15.)

1. It may be understood of His jealousy (Deut. 4:24) in matters of worship and approach to Him. God only is to be worshipped, and He is to be approached in the manner and way suitable to Him and fixed by Him. He is to have all the glory, and to come any other way is to be utterly rejected and consumed in the fire of His wrath (John 14:6).

2. Our God is a consuming fire. He is a wall of fire in His providence to protect and provide. He is a fire to warm and guide them. He is a fire to consume their enemies and to purify them and their eternal dwelling.