The Common Lesson of Romans 2:4-5, Proverbs 5:11-14, and Hebrews 12:16-17
Romans 2:4-5 "4Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? 5But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;"
Proverbs 5:11-14 "11And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed, 12And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof; 13And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me! 14I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly."
Hebrews 12:16-17 "16...lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. 17For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears."
[Things to Meditate On]
1. What is the "common lesson" that the three different passages above give to us?
2. Just as it is important not to miss the right time in earthly matters, it is also important not to miss the right time in spiritual matters. Because spiritual things are incomparably more precious than fleshly things, spiritual things must always be placed before fleshly things in our lives. Nevertheless, are we perhaps, like "Esau," giving up something extremely precious spiritually because of fleshly things, or putting it off until later (Heb. 12:16-17)?
Hebrews 12:16 "Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright."
John 6:27 "Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed."
3. The Bible says that to every thing in this world there is a "season and a time" (Eccl. 3:1-8). This means that it is very important for us to act according to the proper time and season. Then, during the time called "today," what kind of heart must we have in order to act according to the proper time?
[Decision and Application]
If we do not give ear to the right voice and end up walking in the wrong way, in the end only "regret" will remain (Prov. 5:11-14). And after that "regret," there may still be an opportunity to turn back, but there may also be a regret that comes too late, from which one can never turn back. Sadly, in the case of "Esau" mentioned in Hebrews 12:16-17 above, his regret came too late. Therefore, in order not to have such late regret, we must always live with a heart that desires to repent in the name of Jesus (Luke 24:47) during the time called "today" (Heb. 4:7, Eph. 4:26-27). We may think that the time called "today" is simply given to us every day, but that is not so. As Romans 2:4 above says, it has been made possible because of the goodness and longsuffering of God. Perhaps those whose physical life has little time remaining may feel this more deeply in their hearts. Therefore, during the time called "today," which has been given to us by grace, we must listen more earnestly to the word of Jesus and live with a heart that seeks to turn back to that word, that is, to repent, in every season and in every matter.
2 Corinthians 6:1-2 "1We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. 2For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation."
Hebrews 4:7 "Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts."
As these passages say, when God gives us grace "now," we must receive that grace. But if we fail to do so, and instead have a stubborn and impenitent heart before the word of God, then in the end there will only be the wrath of God (Rom. 2:5). Therefore, whenever and through whomever God allows us to encounter the word of Jesus, it is important for us to live with "circumcised ears and hearts," so that we may always humbly hearken to that word (Jer. 6:10, Acts 7:51). This is because the very time when He lets us hear "the word of Jesus" may be the precious "opportunity" for us to turn back, that is, to repent.
Jeremiah 6:10 "To whom shall I speak, and give warning, that they may hear? behold, their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannot hearken: behold, the word of the LORD is unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it."
Joel 2:12-14 "12Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: 13And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. 14Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?"
Amen.
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