Refuse Not Him That Speaketh - Hebrews 12:25-29

The Challenge To Examine Truth - 12:25 See – blepete – Pres Act Imp - take heed, behold, beware, discern with the eye (have the power of seeing or perceiving), gaze, discover by use, know by experience, have the power of understanding.  The Jews were commanded to think carefully about the decision to believe God, knowing that the Lord had shown Himself faithful, calling to the world through the prophets and now through His Son.

The Courage To Make The Right Choice - that ye refuse not – mh paraithshsqe - Carry over of the imperative – the serious nature of this challenge is revealed in the command voice.  It is an order from God Almighty.  The Lord’s actions have been directed with wisdom and power, to convince mankind to believe.  When man stands before his creator, he will have the testimony of Jehovah God to deal with. 

The Character To Listen To The Lord’s Voice - him that speaketh. – ton laloumta – Pres Ptc  - one who articulates or preaches a specific message to disclose or declare his own mind  (Heb. 1:2).  The use of the continuous action verb teaches clearly that the Lord continues to speak and preach through His Word.  God never stops giving the message of truth to the world.  Do not neglect to hear Him. 

How Has God Chosen to Reveal Himself to The World?

He Has Spoken Through His Son - Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;  Heb. 1:2

He Has Spoken Through His Prophets and Apostles - God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,  Heb. 1:1

Acts 6:2-4  Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.  But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

He Has Spoken Through His Word - John 2:22  When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.

John 5:24  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

John 5:38  And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.

He Has Spoken Through His Holy Spirit - Luke 3:22  And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.

He Has Spoken Through His Witnesses, the Church - But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.  Acts 1:8

And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.  Acts 4:33

 How would we neglect the Word, which is spoken?

Indifference – Esau at his birthright - Mt 16:26  For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Self-righteousness – Pharisees - Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;  Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Pride or self-wisdom – Wicked self knowledge – The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.   Ps. 10:4

Envy and Hatred of Christ – Contempt for the truth -  For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy…And they cried out again, Crucify him. Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil  hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him.  Mark 15:10; 15:13-14

The Choice To Chose Logically - For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: -

The previous generations of O.T. saints and New Testament believers, who came before us, suffered or were blessed as they listened and obeyed the Lord.  It is no different for the Jew during the time of the writing of Hebrews.  They are at the crossroads of decision.  What would they do?  Obey and find peace, joy and contentment, or disobey, refusing to follow Christ, and not be able to escape the judgment, which would inevitably follow.

12:26 Whose voice then shook the earth… - In the past God showed His power.  The earth is under the control of the Lord and it is by His pleasure that He shakes the earth.  His power is not diminished, but promised that His power is shown for all to see: …Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.

This phrase carries immense importance for every person on the face of the earth.  The critical nature of God’s promise to shake the earth and the heaven, indicates the gravity and seriousness of God’s challenge to refuse not Him that speaks!   To the Jews God says, “you better pay attention, make the right decision, and obey the spiritual laws directed by the Word of God.”