Throughout this letter the Pastor will pause from the main subjects to bring a warning to the people. This is the third time in the letter. This warning passage is again quite long starting here in verse 11 and continuing into chapter 6 v12.
”We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.“ Hebrews 5:11-14
The section of the letter doesn’t pull any punches:
They had stopped trying to learn – Today is a day to learn. Let Him direct your paths. Grow. Mature. Be self-aware. Be better.
By this time they should be teachers – disciples make disciples and so if no disciples are being made what does that mean?
They needed milk not solid food – they have slipped backwards and become immature.
They do not know the teaching about righteousness – they don’t know how to live the Christian life.
They cannot distinguish good from evil – they don’t know how to make wise decisions.
Now think for a moment on what has already been told them previously.
Chapter 1: The Son is better, greater, superior and He is supreme than whatever you are hearing or seeing.
Chapter 2: Seeing Jesus is to see how He suffered but won; how His victory is our victory; to live in Him not at the mercy of this world.
Chapter 3: ‘hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory’
Chapter 4: ‘hold firmly to your faith’
Chapter 5: Psalm 2:7 and 110:4 which are quoted here reveal the status of Jesus and how it came about. He is the Son and the High Priest. This has come about because of the declaration of God. This will never be altered.
They have been told all these things. However look at those 4 verses again.
They are not where they should be by now. They are in danger of slipping backwards. In fact they seem to have done so.
It’s a challenge to us all.
Are we moving forward? Are we growing? Do we know Him more? Asking yourself these 5 questions each day may help to redirect your paths.
What will you learn today?
Who will you teach today?
How will you grow today?
What acts of righteousness will you do today?
What wise decisions will you make today?
Missions Paul 