Post 66 of Study: Hebrews 12:3-4
The recipients of the original text of Hebrews were undergoing persecution. This is discussed first in 10:32-34.
32 But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, 33 sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. 34 For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. (English Standard Version)
Their oppression was public, financial, legal, communal; even in those times, they helped those imprisoned for their faith. Yet, to this point, they had not been whipped, tortured, or martyred; blood had not been shed.
I type that so blithely, I’m ashamed to say, sitting in my comfortable apartment on an almost winter morning, warm, sipping coffee, using technology imported from a country where Christians do undergo such persecution as the Hebrews’ original readers did.
We should be appalled that we give so little attention, prayer, and help to those in North Korea, China, Eritrea, Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Congo, Nigeria, and many more for whom 10:32-34 and 12:4 is a daily reality.
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