The First Warning

One of the greatest things about the Bible is that you can study it for a lifetime and still learn new principles for living.  Today was a very busy day, involving me driving "all over town", down to the big city and back, and then driving some more.  So, it is not until after dinner tonight I was able to sit down and meditate on the Scriptures.  There never seems to be enough time in the day...

What I learned tonight is that the Old Testament law was delivered to men by angels, but that we have no direct testimony of this happening.  It is stated as a fact in Hebrews 2:2-3a(ESV).

2For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, 3how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?

The closest thing we find to testimony of this occurs in Deuteronomy 33:2 (ESV) - -

He said, “The LORD came from Sinai and dawned from Seir upon us; he shone forth from Mount Paran; he came from the ten thousands of holy ones, with flaming fire at his right hand.

But, then, Paul re-affirms this method of delivery and declaration in Galatians 3:19.  Similarly, Luke records Stephen stating something similar in Acts 7:53.

The point was this:  the Old Testament law was brought to mankind from God the Father, by means of His holy angels.  However, salvation was not entrusted merely to angels; salvation came to mankind through the work of God Himself, in the Person of His Son.

This makes salvation (the gospel), exponentially greater than the Law, although it does not negate the Law or diminish it.  Christ stated that He came to "fulfill" the Law, that is, to complete it (Luke 4:18-21 and Mark 1:14).  This "great salvation" provided for us by and mediated on our behalf by our Great High Priest, Jesus Christ, is the overall theme of the book of Hebrews, a theme that receives further elaboration further into the book.

What does it mean to "neglect" this amazing salvation?
Cockerill says that it means "to despise God's revelation and treat it as inconsequential."

The penalty for neglecting the Old Testament law was physical punishment and even often death; the penalty for ignoring the gospel is even worse - - - spiritual death.
So, it is clear from this scriptural warning that any person who rejects Jesus Christ's "only way" to peace with God will not escape the fires of Hell.

But, more than that, I believe this first warning from the author of Hebrews is also for Christians. Even though Christians possess salvation for themselves, we often let ourselves be distracted by "shiny things", earthly pleasures that consume an inordinate amount of our time.  While our own salvation is secure, how can we "fiddle while Rome burns"?  How can we spend our time on our own personal pleasure and entertainment while those around us who have not heard the Gospel are Hell-bound?  The warning for Christians is that we won't escape our Savior's displeasure if we hoard the gift we have been given.

Father God, help me to use my time wisely every day, even though this is a constant challenge.  the older I get the more conscious I am that my time here is limited, and that I need to choose well. Thank you for giving me the GRACE to hear and accept, not to reject, your incomparable salvation. It is only through the miracle of Your goodness and kindness that that could have been accomplished. I am grateful, forever grateful.  In Jesus' name, amen.

Source:


Cockerill, Gareth Lee. The Epistle to the Hebrews. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans, 2012. Kindle edition.