"We will go into His tabernacles: we will worship at His footstool. Arise, O Lord, into They rest; Thou, and the ark of Thy strength"
“For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your soul. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as sons: 'My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.'
If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and life? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed. Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no on will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.” (Hebrews 12:3-17)
Position of Promise
Commentary notes, “To profane is to regard something as unhallowed, to make something sacred to be common. Esau took that which God considered sacred [his birthright] and made it common. Being so totally concerned with his temporary and material needs, he gave them priority over his rights as the first-born son and his responsibilities as heir to the blessing of the Abrahamic covenant (Gen 25:29–34)” [1]
A birthright is a right of "a right, privilege or possession to which a person is entitled by birth.” [2] Esau despised his position of privilege that he was freely given and so he sold it out for something that would give him instant gratification that he could see, taste and touch (Genesis 25:29-34). Jacob purchased Esau's birthright from him for a bowl of stew and then later went on to steal Esau's blessing as well.
Esau told his father, “Is he not rightly named Jacob? For he has supplanted me these two times. He took away my birthright, and now look, he has taken away my blessing!” (Genesis 27:36)
Jacob deeply longed for God's blessing and in Genesis 32:22-32 he wrestles with the Lord and refuses to let Him go until He is blessed.
Genesis 22-33 says, “And he [Jacob] arose that night and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven sons, and crossed over the ford of Jabbok [Jabbok= to be emptied]. He took them, sent them over the brook and sent over what he had. Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob's hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him. And He said, 'Let Me go, for the day breaks.' But he said, 'I will not let You go unless You bless me!' So He said to him, 'What is your name?' He said, 'Jacob.' And He said, 'Your name shall no longer be called Jacob [Jacob means supplanter - one who wrongfully or illegally seizes and holds the place of another], but Israel [Prince with God; He will rule with God; God prevails]; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.'
Then Jacob asked, saying, 'Tell me Your name, I pray.' And He said, 'Why is it that you ask about My name? And He blessed him there. So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel [Face of God; Facing God]: 'For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.' Just as he crossed over Penuel [same as Peniel] the sun rose on him, and he limped on his hip. Therefore to this day the children of Israel do not eat the muscle that shrank, which is on the hip socket, because He touched the socket of Jacob's hip in the muscle that shrank.”
Jacob wrestled with God and he moves from being one who wrongfully and illegitimately hold the place of blessing and inheritance to one who, by faith, prevails with God. He inherits a legitimate place of blessing through God.
Jacob represents children of promise who inherit the blessings of God through His grace and election – not by entitlement of position. Paul writes in Romans 9:6-13, “But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, “In Isaac your seed shall be called.' That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of promise are counted as the seed. For this is the word of promise: 'At this time I will come and Sarah shall have a son.'
And not only this, but when Rebecca also had conceived by one man, even by our father Isaac (for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works of Him who calls), it was said to her, 'The older shall serve the younger.' As it is written, 'Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.'”
Commentary notes about Jacob and Esau, “A pronouncement was made before the children were ever born. This pronouncement could not, therefore have had anything to do with works of merit by either child. It was entirely a matter of God’s choice, based on His own will and not on the character or attainments of the subjects. The purpose of God according to election means His determination to distribute His favors according to His sovereign will and good pleasure.
This verse, incidentally, disproves the idea that God’s choice of Jacob was based on His foreknowledge of what Jacob would do. It specifically says that it was not made on the basis of works! God’s decision was that the older would serve the younger. Esau would have a subservient place to Jacob. The latter was chosen to earthly glory and privilege. Esau was the firstborn of the twin brothers and ordinarily would have had the honors and privileges associated with that position. But God’s selection passed him by and rested on Jacob.
To further enforce God’s sovereignty in choosing, Paul quotes Malachi 1:2,3: “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.” Here God is speaking of the two nations, Israel and Edom, of which Jacob and Esau were heads. God marked out Israel as the nation to which He promised the Messiah and the messianic kingdom. Edom received no such promise. Instead, its mountains and heritage were laid waste for the jackals of the wilderness (Mal. 1:3; see also Jer. 49:17, 18; Ezek. 35:7–9). [4]
Paul says in Ephesians 2:8-10, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
The Hebrews would have came from a place of believing that they had a rightful privileged position with God, being Jewish (see John 8:33). Many of the religious leaders of the time took their position for granted. At the same time, rather than receive their inheritance (salvation through Jesus), they sold it out for holding their position of honor in the religious system.
The author of Hebrews hits hard on Jesus as the only begotten Son of the Father. In whom all things are in subjection to, bringing many to glory, being the captain of their salvation. He is a faithful son, greater than Moses who was a servant of His house. He also is the High Priest, the Mediator of a better covenant, under a new order -according to the order of Melchizedek.
The author also hits hard on faith as the only way to please God. Hebrews 3:14-15 says, “For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, while it is said: 'Today , if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”
The author reminds them that the Israelites could not enter the promises of God because of their unbelief (Hebrews 3:19). And that faith is the only ways to please Him. The Hebrews 11:6 says, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
“That He would leave His place on high, and come for sinful man to die. You count it strange, so once did I, before I knew my Savior” sings.
Jacob was not entitled to what he inherited in God. He diligently sought it out. He wanted what was rightfully not his. And as he wrestled with God, he came to receive the promised blessings legitimately through the Lord as His name signified, Israel, prince with God. [a]
“Because of grace, because of your mercy I stand here unashamed” sings.
The writer Hebrews reminds the people not only to not follow their lusts of the flesh as a fornicator, but to not treat what they have been given as common or a right that they were deserving of because of their position of birth.
Entitlement Leading to Bitterness
Often, over time it is easy to forget where we came from and that all we have been given as blessings in the kingdom of God are a gift of grace that we are undeserving of. We can begin to feel entitled to certain rights or privileges in the kingdom of God. When we feel entitled, we no longer value what we have been given the same. It is easy to take what we have received for granted. When we feel entitled, we are no longer grateful.
When privileges are removed from us, we feel offended because we had felt they legitimately belonged to us (this was the case with Jonah and the plant that grew over him to give him shade). When this happens, bitterness can also arise as it did with Jonah.
Bitterness can also arise from tragedy (such as with Job or Naomi) or with repeated offenses over time. One author writes, “ Bitterness is based upon somebody else's sin who is close to us, and who did something to us.” It may be easy to forgive the first ten times, but when something occurs for the three thousandth time, it can begin to create bitterness. The author writes that it does not need to be great, but when it is close, such as a work relationship or family relationship, it can easily result in bitterness when there are repeated offenses. [5]
Sometimes bitterness happens as a difficulty arises and we do not deal with it directly but attempt to bury it. One article notes that bitterness accumulates over time when it is not dealt with rather than creating more distance. For instance, if we have been abused and do not deal with it, our bitterness grows as we become older. This author writes, “Unless there's a solution to it, people do not get less bitter with maturity. They get more bitter over the years. It gets worse and worse.”[6]
The writer of Hebrews warns the readers to look carefully to how they live lest they fall short of the grace of God and bitterness springs up, not only causing trouble for them, but defiling many. When someone is bitter, their attitudes and behaviors not only impact themselves but others around them.
Bitterness is the opposite of sweet and has to do with being poisoned by our own negativity relating to our circumstances and then can result in poisoning others. James 3:8-11 says, “But no man can tame the tongue. It is an uruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening?”
When we are bitter, we are in bondage to the person we are bitter towards. Esau was bitter when he found out that Jacob had stole his blessing from him. Because of this, he hated Jacob and plotted to kill him in his heart (Genesis 27:41).
Joseph prophesied over Esau when he found out that Jacob had stole his blessing, "By your sword you shall live, and you shall serve your brother; and it shall come to pass, when you become restless, that you shall break his yoke from your neck." (Genesis 27:40).
Eventually Esau did get freedom from his bitterness. When Jacob came back to his home land, Esau ran to meet him. He embraced him, fell on his neck and kissed him, and they both wept together. (Genesis 33:4)
Naomi was bitter when her husband and sons died. In Ruth 1:20-21 she says: "So she said to them, 'Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the Lord has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the Lord has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?' '' [7]
Jonah was bitter about the enemy of the Israelites, the Ninevites. He became rebellious and ran in the other direction when God sent him to warn them of His impending judgment because of their wickedness. He did not want to see them spared.
He had forgot that he received his place in the kingdom by grace. He had somehow convinced himself that while he had received mercy, the Ninevites were undeserving of this because of their wickedness and repeated offenses against Israel. God dealt with his feelings of entitlement in his bitterness when He prepared a plant to come up over Jonah to give him shade in the desert. The next morning a worm ate the plant and the sun beat down on his head.
As Jonah became angry and wanted to die, God asked him, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?... You have had pity on the plant for which you have not labored, nor made it grow, which came up in a night and perished in a night. And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right and and their left – and much livestock.” (Jonah 4:9-11)
Our focus in bitterness is not on God's greater purposes but on ourselves and what we feel deserving of (our expectations) of treatment. We may feel cheated out of something that belonged to us like Esau with his blessing, Naomi with her sons, and Jonah with justice. When we are disciplined by God through difficult circumstances or people, we resent the hurt and pain that is against us rather than look for God's greater purposes and blessing.
When we are focused on God's greater purposes and not on ourselves we can celebrate what God is doing (in them and us), despite the pain it caused us. We can tell we are struggling with bitterness when we no longer desire God's best for the other person. We can no longer hope for or celebrate the person's success or victories in Christ but rather see them as our enemy.
We are to eliminate any bitterness in our lives as sin. “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God" (Eph. 4:31-5:2).
Barnabus was an example of someone who handled disappointment well and did not allow himself to grow bitter. According to my Bible commentary, “Some scholars believe that Barnabas was the Barsabas who was passed over to replace Judas Iscariot as the twelfth apostle. If so, he didn't grumble and go home.” Barnabus put all his energy into developing and mentoring others in ministry.[8] Barnabus promoted and went out of his way to make room for Paul. He also came along side Mark. Both of who (Paul and Mark) ended up writing parts of the New Testament.
Joseph was also someone who dealt with pain and disappointment well. His brothers stripped him of his tunic and threw him in a pit in hopes he would die. They later pulled him out only to sell him into slavery. Once in Egypt, he obtained a descent position and then lost it and was thrown into prison based on false accusations. Instead of becoming bitter, when he was rejoined with his brothers, he saw God's greater purposes and told his brothers, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.” (Genesis 50:19-20)
In both the case of Barnabus and Joseph, they trusted in God and looked to Him as their source. Barnabus and Joseph looked for God's greater purposes in their difficulties and struggles. They remained thankful and grateful to God for His hand in their lives and hopeful as they trusted in His goodness. They did not allow themselves to feel entitled to a position, standing, or certain treatment. And they did not blame anyone for their troubles or disappointments or see the ones who cause them pain or disappointment as their enemies. Rather, they saw all as ultimately coming from the hand of God.
“And I pray that You will use my life In whatever way Your name is glorified... You never know why you're alive until you know what You would die for, I would die for You” sings in the background.
Jesus embraced those who caused Him pain as God's purifying discipline. He saw them as God's hand in His life for His greater purposes. With Judas, who betrayed Him, he brought Him into fellowship and made room for him at His table. Jesus poured His heart and life into the disciples (including Judas) as they walked with Him and shared His journey. And even as Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss, Jesus called him friend. Jesus embraced God's discipline in His life through enemies. Jesus told Judas when they came to arrest Him, "'My friend, go ahead and do what you have come for.' Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested him.” (Matthew 26:50)
“I choose now, to be humbled in your presence... Cause one day every knee will bow, but Jesus I choose now” sings.
The author of Hebrews asks about Jesus (referring to Psalm 110:1), “But to which of the angels has He ever said: 'Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool'?” (Hebrews 1:13)
Making one's enemies a footstool speaks of many things:
- One under subjection to another (hupopodion) [9]
- A support or setting under (hupostasis) [10]
- To draw back (hupostello) [11]
- Receiving instruction from (pous)[12]
- A place of worship (pous) [13]
- A place of service to another (pous) [14]
One author writes that embracing one's enemies is a place of worship. He refers to Psalm 132:7-8 which says, “We will go into His tabernacles: we will worship at His footstool. Arise, O Lord, into They rest; Thou, and the ark of Thy strength.” [15]
He notes that embracing those who do us harm and cause us pain is a stepping stool into all God has for us. He writes:
Lord, forgive me for doubting your goodness to me and wanting to escape my difficulties. Forgive me for growing bitter in the midst of my struggles and pain. And forgive me for trying to stuff my bitterness hoping it will go away. Please root out this bitterness from my life. You have given me so much so freely and I am entitled to nothing. But I am so grateful. Help me to show my gratitude in the way I treat those who treat me poorly or cause me pain– with the same mercy You show me. Forgive me for feeling entitled to certain treatment. Thank you for putting people in my life who give me an opportunity to grow deeper in my worship of You.
“The blood of Jesus can wash your pain away...”
Lord, You are worthy of all. Lift us to higher levels of worshiping You. Help us to let go of any feelings of entitlement, privilege in Your kingdom, or rights. Free our hearts from any resentments that may lead to bitterness and strengthen us to embrace Your greater purposes in our difficulties and trails. May we grow more in Your likeness.
a. Could it be that the author of Hebrews was speaking of Jacob and his response to discipline in wrestling with God in having his hip dislocated and walking with a limp (or perhaps it is totally unrelated) where it was written:
1. KJV Bible Commentary. Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 1997, c1994, S. 2578
2. Birthright definition. Located at: http://www.ehow.com/about_5038608_birthright-definition.html Last Accessed: 7/26/11
3,8. Maxwell, John. The Maxwell Leadership Bible, Second Edition. NKJV. Lessons in Leadership from the Word of God. Thomas Nelson. Nashville, Tennessee. 2007.
4. MacDonald, William ; Farstad, Arthur: Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments. Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 1997, c1995, S. Ro 9:11
5-7. Wilson, Jim. How to be Free From Bitterness. Located at: http://www.armenianbiblechurch.org/food%20corner/how_to_be_free_from_bitterness.htm Last Accessed: 7/26/11
9-12. Strong, James: The Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible : Showing Every Word of the Text of the Common English Version of the Canonical Books, and Every Occurrence of Each Word in Regular Order. electronic ed. Ontario : Woodside Bible Fellowship., 1996, S. G5288
13-14. Vine, W. E. ; Unger, Merrill F. ; White, William: Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. Nashville : T. Nelson, 1996, S. 2:246
15-17. Fortune, Doug. Intimacy and Adversity: Footstools of the Kingdom. DestinEpublish.com, McPherson, Kansas. 2003.
If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and life? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed. Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no on will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.” (Hebrews 12:3-17)
Position of Promise
Commentary notes, “To profane is to regard something as unhallowed, to make something sacred to be common. Esau took that which God considered sacred [his birthright] and made it common. Being so totally concerned with his temporary and material needs, he gave them priority over his rights as the first-born son and his responsibilities as heir to the blessing of the Abrahamic covenant (Gen 25:29–34)” [1]
A birthright is a right of "a right, privilege or possession to which a person is entitled by birth.” [2] Esau despised his position of privilege that he was freely given and so he sold it out for something that would give him instant gratification that he could see, taste and touch (Genesis 25:29-34). Jacob purchased Esau's birthright from him for a bowl of stew and then later went on to steal Esau's blessing as well.
Esau told his father, “Is he not rightly named Jacob? For he has supplanted me these two times. He took away my birthright, and now look, he has taken away my blessing!” (Genesis 27:36)
Jacob deeply longed for God's blessing and in Genesis 32:22-32 he wrestles with the Lord and refuses to let Him go until He is blessed.
Genesis 22-33 says, “And he [Jacob] arose that night and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven sons, and crossed over the ford of Jabbok [Jabbok= to be emptied]. He took them, sent them over the brook and sent over what he had. Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob's hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him. And He said, 'Let Me go, for the day breaks.' But he said, 'I will not let You go unless You bless me!' So He said to him, 'What is your name?' He said, 'Jacob.' And He said, 'Your name shall no longer be called Jacob [Jacob means supplanter - one who wrongfully or illegally seizes and holds the place of another], but Israel [Prince with God; He will rule with God; God prevails]; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.'
Then Jacob asked, saying, 'Tell me Your name, I pray.' And He said, 'Why is it that you ask about My name? And He blessed him there. So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel [Face of God; Facing God]: 'For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.' Just as he crossed over Penuel [same as Peniel] the sun rose on him, and he limped on his hip. Therefore to this day the children of Israel do not eat the muscle that shrank, which is on the hip socket, because He touched the socket of Jacob's hip in the muscle that shrank.”
Jacob wrestled with God and he moves from being one who wrongfully and illegitimately hold the place of blessing and inheritance to one who, by faith, prevails with God. He inherits a legitimate place of blessing through God.
Jacob represents children of promise who inherit the blessings of God through His grace and election – not by entitlement of position. Paul writes in Romans 9:6-13, “But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, “In Isaac your seed shall be called.' That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of promise are counted as the seed. For this is the word of promise: 'At this time I will come and Sarah shall have a son.'
And not only this, but when Rebecca also had conceived by one man, even by our father Isaac (for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works of Him who calls), it was said to her, 'The older shall serve the younger.' As it is written, 'Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.'”
Commentary notes about Jacob and Esau, “A pronouncement was made before the children were ever born. This pronouncement could not, therefore have had anything to do with works of merit by either child. It was entirely a matter of God’s choice, based on His own will and not on the character or attainments of the subjects. The purpose of God according to election means His determination to distribute His favors according to His sovereign will and good pleasure.
This verse, incidentally, disproves the idea that God’s choice of Jacob was based on His foreknowledge of what Jacob would do. It specifically says that it was not made on the basis of works! God’s decision was that the older would serve the younger. Esau would have a subservient place to Jacob. The latter was chosen to earthly glory and privilege. Esau was the firstborn of the twin brothers and ordinarily would have had the honors and privileges associated with that position. But God’s selection passed him by and rested on Jacob.
To further enforce God’s sovereignty in choosing, Paul quotes Malachi 1:2,3: “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.” Here God is speaking of the two nations, Israel and Edom, of which Jacob and Esau were heads. God marked out Israel as the nation to which He promised the Messiah and the messianic kingdom. Edom received no such promise. Instead, its mountains and heritage were laid waste for the jackals of the wilderness (Mal. 1:3; see also Jer. 49:17, 18; Ezek. 35:7–9). [4]
Paul says in Ephesians 2:8-10, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
The Hebrews would have came from a place of believing that they had a rightful privileged position with God, being Jewish (see John 8:33). Many of the religious leaders of the time took their position for granted. At the same time, rather than receive their inheritance (salvation through Jesus), they sold it out for holding their position of honor in the religious system.
The author of Hebrews hits hard on Jesus as the only begotten Son of the Father. In whom all things are in subjection to, bringing many to glory, being the captain of their salvation. He is a faithful son, greater than Moses who was a servant of His house. He also is the High Priest, the Mediator of a better covenant, under a new order -according to the order of Melchizedek.
The author also hits hard on faith as the only way to please God. Hebrews 3:14-15 says, “For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, while it is said: 'Today , if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”
The author reminds them that the Israelites could not enter the promises of God because of their unbelief (Hebrews 3:19). And that faith is the only ways to please Him. The Hebrews 11:6 says, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
“That He would leave His place on high, and come for sinful man to die. You count it strange, so once did I, before I knew my Savior” sings.
Jacob was not entitled to what he inherited in God. He diligently sought it out. He wanted what was rightfully not his. And as he wrestled with God, he came to receive the promised blessings legitimately through the Lord as His name signified, Israel, prince with God. [a]
“Because of grace, because of your mercy I stand here unashamed” sings.
The writer Hebrews reminds the people not only to not follow their lusts of the flesh as a fornicator, but to not treat what they have been given as common or a right that they were deserving of because of their position of birth.
Entitlement Leading to Bitterness
Often, over time it is easy to forget where we came from and that all we have been given as blessings in the kingdom of God are a gift of grace that we are undeserving of. We can begin to feel entitled to certain rights or privileges in the kingdom of God. When we feel entitled, we no longer value what we have been given the same. It is easy to take what we have received for granted. When we feel entitled, we are no longer grateful.
When privileges are removed from us, we feel offended because we had felt they legitimately belonged to us (this was the case with Jonah and the plant that grew over him to give him shade). When this happens, bitterness can also arise as it did with Jonah.
Bitterness can also arise from tragedy (such as with Job or Naomi) or with repeated offenses over time. One author writes, “ Bitterness is based upon somebody else's sin who is close to us, and who did something to us.” It may be easy to forgive the first ten times, but when something occurs for the three thousandth time, it can begin to create bitterness. The author writes that it does not need to be great, but when it is close, such as a work relationship or family relationship, it can easily result in bitterness when there are repeated offenses. [5]
Sometimes bitterness happens as a difficulty arises and we do not deal with it directly but attempt to bury it. One article notes that bitterness accumulates over time when it is not dealt with rather than creating more distance. For instance, if we have been abused and do not deal with it, our bitterness grows as we become older. This author writes, “Unless there's a solution to it, people do not get less bitter with maturity. They get more bitter over the years. It gets worse and worse.”[6]
The writer of Hebrews warns the readers to look carefully to how they live lest they fall short of the grace of God and bitterness springs up, not only causing trouble for them, but defiling many. When someone is bitter, their attitudes and behaviors not only impact themselves but others around them.
Bitterness is the opposite of sweet and has to do with being poisoned by our own negativity relating to our circumstances and then can result in poisoning others. James 3:8-11 says, “But no man can tame the tongue. It is an uruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening?”
When we are bitter, we are in bondage to the person we are bitter towards. Esau was bitter when he found out that Jacob had stole his blessing from him. Because of this, he hated Jacob and plotted to kill him in his heart (Genesis 27:41).
Joseph prophesied over Esau when he found out that Jacob had stole his blessing, "By your sword you shall live, and you shall serve your brother; and it shall come to pass, when you become restless, that you shall break his yoke from your neck." (Genesis 27:40).
Eventually Esau did get freedom from his bitterness. When Jacob came back to his home land, Esau ran to meet him. He embraced him, fell on his neck and kissed him, and they both wept together. (Genesis 33:4)
Naomi was bitter when her husband and sons died. In Ruth 1:20-21 she says: "So she said to them, 'Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the Lord has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the Lord has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?' '' [7]
Jonah was bitter about the enemy of the Israelites, the Ninevites. He became rebellious and ran in the other direction when God sent him to warn them of His impending judgment because of their wickedness. He did not want to see them spared.
He had forgot that he received his place in the kingdom by grace. He had somehow convinced himself that while he had received mercy, the Ninevites were undeserving of this because of their wickedness and repeated offenses against Israel. God dealt with his feelings of entitlement in his bitterness when He prepared a plant to come up over Jonah to give him shade in the desert. The next morning a worm ate the plant and the sun beat down on his head.
As Jonah became angry and wanted to die, God asked him, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?... You have had pity on the plant for which you have not labored, nor made it grow, which came up in a night and perished in a night. And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right and and their left – and much livestock.” (Jonah 4:9-11)
Our focus in bitterness is not on God's greater purposes but on ourselves and what we feel deserving of (our expectations) of treatment. We may feel cheated out of something that belonged to us like Esau with his blessing, Naomi with her sons, and Jonah with justice. When we are disciplined by God through difficult circumstances or people, we resent the hurt and pain that is against us rather than look for God's greater purposes and blessing.
When we are focused on God's greater purposes and not on ourselves we can celebrate what God is doing (in them and us), despite the pain it caused us. We can tell we are struggling with bitterness when we no longer desire God's best for the other person. We can no longer hope for or celebrate the person's success or victories in Christ but rather see them as our enemy.
We are to eliminate any bitterness in our lives as sin. “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God" (Eph. 4:31-5:2).
Barnabus was an example of someone who handled disappointment well and did not allow himself to grow bitter. According to my Bible commentary, “Some scholars believe that Barnabas was the Barsabas who was passed over to replace Judas Iscariot as the twelfth apostle. If so, he didn't grumble and go home.” Barnabus put all his energy into developing and mentoring others in ministry.[8] Barnabus promoted and went out of his way to make room for Paul. He also came along side Mark. Both of who (Paul and Mark) ended up writing parts of the New Testament.
Joseph was also someone who dealt with pain and disappointment well. His brothers stripped him of his tunic and threw him in a pit in hopes he would die. They later pulled him out only to sell him into slavery. Once in Egypt, he obtained a descent position and then lost it and was thrown into prison based on false accusations. Instead of becoming bitter, when he was rejoined with his brothers, he saw God's greater purposes and told his brothers, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.” (Genesis 50:19-20)
In both the case of Barnabus and Joseph, they trusted in God and looked to Him as their source. Barnabus and Joseph looked for God's greater purposes in their difficulties and struggles. They remained thankful and grateful to God for His hand in their lives and hopeful as they trusted in His goodness. They did not allow themselves to feel entitled to a position, standing, or certain treatment. And they did not blame anyone for their troubles or disappointments or see the ones who cause them pain or disappointment as their enemies. Rather, they saw all as ultimately coming from the hand of God.
“And I pray that You will use my life In whatever way Your name is glorified... You never know why you're alive until you know what You would die for, I would die for You” sings in the background.
Jesus embraced those who caused Him pain as God's purifying discipline. He saw them as God's hand in His life for His greater purposes. With Judas, who betrayed Him, he brought Him into fellowship and made room for him at His table. Jesus poured His heart and life into the disciples (including Judas) as they walked with Him and shared His journey. And even as Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss, Jesus called him friend. Jesus embraced God's discipline in His life through enemies. Jesus told Judas when they came to arrest Him, "'My friend, go ahead and do what you have come for.' Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested him.” (Matthew 26:50)
“I choose now, to be humbled in your presence... Cause one day every knee will bow, but Jesus I choose now” sings.
The author of Hebrews asks about Jesus (referring to Psalm 110:1), “But to which of the angels has He ever said: 'Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool'?” (Hebrews 1:13)
Making one's enemies a footstool speaks of many things:
- One under subjection to another (hupopodion) [9]
- A support or setting under (hupostasis) [10]
- To draw back (hupostello) [11]
- Receiving instruction from (pous)[12]
- A place of worship (pous) [13]
- A place of service to another (pous) [14]
One author writes that embracing one's enemies is a place of worship. He refers to Psalm 132:7-8 which says, “We will go into His tabernacles: we will worship at His footstool. Arise, O Lord, into They rest; Thou, and the ark of Thy strength.” [15]
He notes that embracing those who do us harm and cause us pain is a stepping stool into all God has for us. He writes:
“ * Moses would have never risen into his destiny without a 'footstool' named Pharoh.This author writes that the with an accurate understanding of purpose, we can begin to declare, “'If God be for us, who can be against us?... Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth... Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?... Nay, in all these things we are more than CONQUERORS through Him that loved us.' (Romans 8:31, 33, 35, 37).” [17]
* Joseph would have never risen into his destiny without the 'footstool' of his brothers.
* Gideon would have never risen into his destiny without a 'footstool' called the Midianites.
* David would have never risen into his destiny without the 'footstools' of Goliath and King Saul.
* Esther would have never risen into her destiny without a 'footstool' named Hamen.” [16]
Lord, forgive me for doubting your goodness to me and wanting to escape my difficulties. Forgive me for growing bitter in the midst of my struggles and pain. And forgive me for trying to stuff my bitterness hoping it will go away. Please root out this bitterness from my life. You have given me so much so freely and I am entitled to nothing. But I am so grateful. Help me to show my gratitude in the way I treat those who treat me poorly or cause me pain– with the same mercy You show me. Forgive me for feeling entitled to certain treatment. Thank you for putting people in my life who give me an opportunity to grow deeper in my worship of You.
“The blood of Jesus can wash your pain away...”
Lord, You are worthy of all. Lift us to higher levels of worshiping You. Help us to let go of any feelings of entitlement, privilege in Your kingdom, or rights. Free our hearts from any resentments that may lead to bitterness and strengthen us to embrace Your greater purposes in our difficulties and trails. May we grow more in Your likeness.
a. Could it be that the author of Hebrews was speaking of Jacob and his response to discipline in wrestling with God in having his hip dislocated and walking with a limp (or perhaps it is totally unrelated) where it was written:
“Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed. Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no on will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled”?
1. KJV Bible Commentary. Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 1997, c1994, S. 2578
2. Birthright definition. Located at: http://www.ehow.com/about_5038608_birthright-definition.html Last Accessed: 7/26/11
3,8. Maxwell, John. The Maxwell Leadership Bible, Second Edition. NKJV. Lessons in Leadership from the Word of God. Thomas Nelson. Nashville, Tennessee. 2007.
4. MacDonald, William ; Farstad, Arthur: Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments. Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 1997, c1995, S. Ro 9:11
5-7. Wilson, Jim. How to be Free From Bitterness. Located at: http://www.armenianbiblechurch.org/food%20corner/how_to_be_free_from_bitterness.htm Last Accessed: 7/26/11
9-12. Strong, James: The Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible : Showing Every Word of the Text of the Common English Version of the Canonical Books, and Every Occurrence of Each Word in Regular Order. electronic ed. Ontario : Woodside Bible Fellowship., 1996, S. G5288
13-14. Vine, W. E. ; Unger, Merrill F. ; White, William: Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. Nashville : T. Nelson, 1996, S. 2:246
15-17. Fortune, Doug. Intimacy and Adversity: Footstools of the Kingdom. DestinEpublish.com, McPherson, Kansas. 2003.
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