And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation, for I have written a letter unto you in few words. Hebrews 13:22
With 15 minutes left before the meeting ended, a middle aged man got to his feet, opened his Bible, cleared his throat, and hesitatingly asked us to turn to a particular verse that he wished to speak on. After reading the verse, he fumbled with his notes, and began to deliver his message. He had obviously not done much public speaking, but he had some good points to make, and he made them. Those of us who listened to him nodded in appreciation because his words were encouraging and uplifting, despite his struggle to speak. But few of us listened to him. Most people allowed little distractions to capture their attention, fussing with the needs of their children, or reading something else, while the man spoke. As a result, they missed a valuable message. Even more, they discouraged a brother who had an exercise to speak but who received very little attention. It was unfair to him. But untold other speakers, and untold other people who have written books, pamphlets, poems, and other works, have been likewise discouraged because too many Christians paid so little attention to what they had to say.
In our text, the apostle is reminding the readers that the epistle of Hebrews is really not so very long. And he urges them to listen and heed. In this case, it was not just the words of the apostle that were before the readers; it was the words of the Holy Spirit as He directed the apostle’s pen. In the book of Hebrews, we have some of the most wonderful expositions in Scripture concerning the better things that God has for His people today: a better Sacrifice, a better covenant, and better promises. It would be hard to imagine any serious Christian ignoring this great book. Sadly, some do, to their spiritual detriment. And sadly, some also ignore or gloss over other parts of the Word of God. But this is wrong. ‘All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works’ (2 Timothy 3:16,17).
If God has put it in the Bible, it is worthwhile for us to take it to heart. If God has put it into the heart of a speaker to speak it or a writer to write it, it is worthwhile for us to suffer the word of exhortation. -Jim MacIntosh