Hebrews 13:5-14 | What's a lesson for the original audience?

As previously stated, there is a huge emphasis placed simply on trusting in God. That is the undertone of this whole section. In fact, it has been the undertone of this whole book. Will the people heed the voice of those around them? Will they heed the world? Or will they heed God's command? Trusting in God may very well mean suffering at the hands of those around. Trusting in God may look like hurting financially as well as socially. Trusting in God may look like persecution and hurt from those closest to them. Just as Israel was charged by Joshua to choose that day whom they would serve, the proclamation echoes to the believer of the day, who will they serve?

The promises that were reiterated to the original audience were apt for the discussion. Knowing that God will be with them serves as a tremendous comfort. They ought not be like their fathers before them who often abandoned the way of the Lord to be like the other nations. God did not go with them and it cost them continually. It is God who has the victory. He is thoroughly trustworthy. Hence the comfort of Psalm 118:6. What can man do to the one whom God helps? God gets the victory. Any who are aligned with Him get to participate in that victory.

I remember having a bit of a laugh with myself when I was a child. My parents were watching football and rooting for the Cowboys, as they often do. I was not paying a whole lot of attention until screams and cheers of victory resounded in my household. "We won! We won!" said my family. Being the cheeky child I was I muttered under my breath, "No... they won... You sat here and watched." Despite the fact that it was the Cowboys that won that game, my parents rejoiced as participants in that victory. The team, and all who were aligned with them, won that day. The other team, and all who were aligned with them, lost.

As we are aligned with the Lord, though the victory is His, His people participate in it. We pay no contribution to it. But we are joined together with Him in that victory. What is left to be said? Trust in God. The very lesson for the original audience translates to us today as well.

What lesson do you see for the original audience?
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