Hebrews 10:32-39
For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property… (v. 34a) My first reading of the day is from the NKJV Chronological Study Bible. Therein this verse reads “on me in my chains” instead of “on those in prison” (ESV) or “on prisoners” (NASB). So right away I wondered if Paul was the author of Hebrews – that he was writing from prison to believing Jews in Jerusalem who were undergoing persecution or to faithful Jews anywhere who were being persecuted (e.g., Galatia, Thessalonica), where he himself had suffered persecution at the hands of the synagogue leaders. We’ll never know this side of eternity!
…since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. (v. 34b) This verse is the second half of the verse quoted above. I see its application today as we work our way through these troubling times. We have endured a challenging presidential election and are still working our way through a serious recession and a continuing pandemic – all of which have created worries and anxiety for many people. Yet those of us who believe in Jesus know that there are better times ahead – and not only that, but also we know that He is not unaware of all that is going on around us. He is allowing these difficulties, just as He allowed suffering for Christians in that 1st century past. So through our difficulties today we continue to pray, “Your will be done”, confident that His Spirit is working in and among us. Our faith adds a certain measure of peace to our souls, diminishing (if not eliminating) our worries and anxieties. Peace be with you.
Slava Bohu!
I too read this passage as our response in today’s time of great stress, if not persecution. Trusting in our Lord, God’s character and promises with endurance and compassion.
I also pondered on persecution in America today, who is being killed for who they are or what they believe. Some Christians fear or are anxious about this as a future possibility. This passage addresses them/us, to trust God with endurance and compassion. But it seems that the ones today who actually experience being persecuted, killed for who they are or what they believe, are primarily the marginalized and/or people of color.