e[klausen .
(3) Heb. 12:18-29. The character and obligations of the New Covenant. This section forms a solemn close to the main argument of the Epistle. It offers a striking picture of the characteristics of the two Covenants summed up in the words terror and grace; and at the same time, in harmony with the whole current of thought, it emphasises the truth that greater privileges bring greater responsibility. The section falls into two parts:
( a ) The contrast of the position of Christians with that of the Israelites at the giving of the Law (12:18-24); and
( b ) The duties of Christians which flow from their position (12:25-29). ( a ) The contrast of the position of Christians with that of the Israelites at the giving of the Law (12:18-24).
The writer first describes ( a ) the scene at Sinai; and then he describes ( b ) the position of Christians (12:22-24).
18 For ye are not come to a material and kindled fire, and to blackness, and darkness, and tempest ,
19 and the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that no word more should be spoken to them: 20 for they could not bear that which was enjoined, If even a beast touch the mountain it shall be stoned; 21 and, so fearful was the appearance, Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake.
22 But ye are come to mount Zion, and to the city of the Living God, a heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable hosts of angels 23 in festal assembly, and to the church of the firstborn, enrolled in heaven, and to the God of all as Judge, and to spirits of just men made perfect ,
24 and to the Mediator of a new Covenant even Jesus, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better than Abel.
( a ) The scene at Sinai (12:18-21). The description is designed to bring out the awfulness of the whole revelation which attended the making of the Old Covenant. Step by step the writer advances from the physical terrors by which it was accompanied (12:18-20) to the confession of the Law-giver himself (12:21), who alone of all prophets was allowed to speak to God face to face.
12:18 ff. The peril of disregarding the Christian privileges, which have been indicated in the last section, is proportioned to their greatness. Therefore the Apostle says, Endure, advance, aim at the highest purity, cherish the loftiest view of divine things, for ye are not come to a vision of outward awfulness, but ye are come to mount Zion. You stand in view of heavenly glories immeasurably nobler than the terrors of Sinai. If then the people who were admitted to that revelation were charged to make every external preparation (Ex. 19:14 f.), much more must you prepare yourselves spiritually.
12:18. ouj ga;r prosel. yhl. kai; kek. p. ] For ye are not come to a material (palpable) and kindled fire ... Vulg. Non enim accessistis ad tractabilem et accensibilem (d ardentem et tractabilem ) ignem. The position once taken ( proshvlqete Deut. 4:11) is presented as still retained. In this respect Christians were differently circumstanced from those who heard the Law at Sinai. The Jews were forbidden to draw near: Christians shrank back when they were invited to approach. For the word proselqei'n see Heb. 4:16 note.
The scene of the old legislation is described simply as a palpable and