Running with Intention

Hebrews 12:12-17
12Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, 13and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. 14Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. 15See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; 16that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. 17For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.

At first read, this passage seems disjointed and scattered in terms of topic. But, as I knew would be the case, upon further reflection, it is one thought, tied together seamlessly. I always know that’s going to be true, but sometimes it seems very obscure. God makes me work for it!

The object lesson that has been used since the beginning of chapter 12 has been that of a foot race. Those who have gone before us in the faith are now waiting on the other side for us to finish as well. They stand as a witness to the work of Christ as their Savior and are awaiting the time when we will join them in paradise. That analogy is carried a little further now, as we are encouraged to keep our fellow runners in mind as well. Should someone flag or fall behind, we are to take that opportunity to come along side of them and encourage them in the race. We don’t want anyone to lose hope or fall away, for that damages the entire Body of Christ.

We can do this by being strengthened in our own body as we run, keeping prayer and study of the Word as primary in our day. We also don’t allow distractions to steal our attention or veer us off of the path. The writer then takes a few words to warn against living contentiously with one another, as that is a recipe for bitterness, which will drag us away from God completely. And when we go, we may take others with us and that is disaster for everyone. Even back in the book of Deuteronomy, the people of God are warned about allowing bitterness to enter the community and the consequences of such a choice.

Deuteronomy 29:18-19
18Beware lest there be among you a man or woman or clan or tribe whose heart is turning away today from the Lord our God to go and serve the gods of those nations. Beware lest there be among you a root bearing poisonous and bitter fruit, 19one who, when he hears the words of this sworn covenant, blesses himself in his heart, saying, ‘I shall be safe, though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart.’ This will lead to the sweeping away of moist and dry alike.

The inclusion of Esau’s story in this passage has always been intriguing, but he is a perfect example of what the writer is taking about in these verses.  

Genesis 25:29-34
29Once when Jacob was cooking stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was exhausted. 30And Esau said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am exhausted!” (Therefore his name was called Edom.) 31Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright now.” 32Esau said, “I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?” 33Jacob said, “Swear to me now.” So he swore to him and sold his birthright to Jacob. 34Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.

By the time Esau and Jacob have this interaction over a bowl of stew, Esau has already decided he is more interested in temporal things than spiritual. His birthright as the oldest means nothing to him. His stomach – that is his god. But when it came time for the inheritance to be allotted, suddenly he’s so very sorry for his earlier actions. He’s not repentant of the sin – he’s sorry to be paying the consequences. Had there been real repentance, the end of the story may have been different.

As we read these words, we too are encouraged to watch out for one another, guarding our own hearts lest we be led in the wrong direction or turn a blind eye to a brother or sister who is in that state. Running the race of faith requires our strict attention. And that can only be accomplished through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. May He dwell with us all.

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