Scripture:
Hebrews 5:11-14 ESV
[11] About this, we have much to say, and it is hard to explain since you have become dull of hearing. [12] For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, [13] for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness since he is a child. [14] But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.
Observation:
No one really knows who the writer of Hebrews is… but a good number of people believe it to be Paul because the writing style is much like his. However, we know that even if Paul did put the pen to paper and come up with the book of Hebrews, the Holy Spirit is truly the author. So let’s dig in. The writer has a lot to say to those he believes will be reading this book. It seems he had become somewhat discouraged in those whom he believes will read it. His statement in verse 11 is somewhat harsh, but the point behind it is much needed. It’s like he believes that they have become somewhat numb or even may have a lack of interest to really dig in. Claiming that his readers are dull of hearing. Although they may be listening, they were not taking in much like it was just background noise. They were hearing, but it was not sinking in. The words spoken had no weight to them. It would appear that the writer had spent a lot of time teaching and preaching to them. However, unreseptive, they may be. Maybe it was just about a checklist of Christian things to do to them. The amount of time he spent teaching them should have been enough for them to start teaching others what they had been taught. Yet, for some reason, they were still confused by it and needed more teaching. He refers to this as feeding them like a mother to a baby. Feeding milk to her 3 year old. They had teeth but were more willing to allow someone to chew their food for them and then allow them to just swallow it. The writer was encouraging his readers to get in there and grow up it was time to start eating meat all by themselves.
Application:
Don’t take my word for it. Open the book. So, the reason I started these SOAPS was to open up conversations about what GOD’S word was saying. I take a lot of what the bible says at face value. Knowing that the pin was put to paper so that I could have instructions on how to live a life that would bring glory to GOD. It’s meant to teach you, and I godly principles. Every word is in place for a reason. But my question is, have you ever become numb to it. Have you ever gotten to a point where you were only listening to someone else preach and taking what they said as scripture. Well, I want to encourage you today…it’s really time to knock the dust off your bible and dig in. Don’t get me wrong, I know that iron sharpens iron… so discussing what the bibke says with others is important and will sharpen your sword. But nothing replaces getting in there and reading it for yourself. It’s honestly the main catalyst for the life changing experience that I have had. When my morning routine changed, so did my life. I used to get up in the morning and listen to a few different pastors. They always had something good to say, and I would start my day refreshed and ready. But there came a time when that was just not enough. I needed more. I would read the bible, but it was just at a surface level… never really digging into what it said and the life changing instructions that were on the pages. Little by little, GOD’S word became more than just a book to me. It became the answers to all the situations I faced in life. Molding me to be more like Christ. Eventually, I stopped listening to so many preachers and narrowed it down to just the one at my church. You see, what happened is GOD started speaking to me through HIS living word. I didn’t need someone to chew my food for me. It was time to eat meat. My teeth had come in, and they were sharp. For a time milk was nessesrey. But you can’t stay there at some point. You will have to pick up your bible and see what GOD is saying to you. Take time in the morning to be consistent with your heavenly Father… He wants to speak to you directly, and HE does that through HIS living word. The same changes that happened in my life can happen in yours. Just come to the table, grab a fork, and dig into this meat.
Prayer:
Father, we love you, and we want to thank you for all you have done. You have not only given us meaning and purpose, but you have given us a feast. Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from your mouth. This morning, our prayer is simple… teach us we know that what you want is personal time with us. Help us to understand what you are saying directly to us. We are hungry for meat. We know it’s not enough to just listen to someone else’s opinion of what your word says. In fact, you tell us in your word that it is our responsibility to seek you to study to show ourselves approved… not unto man but unto you. Help us to embrace a relationship with you. To seek your approval and no one else’s. We want more of you, GOD. In fact, we don’t even want to be seen. We want you to be seen through us. None of this is about us it’s all about you. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus we pray amen.