fornication profane Esau Mt. Zion Challenges Esau
III. The Challenges 12:14-17
A. The author’s three exhortations: 12:14-15
1. “Try to live in peace with everyone” 12:14a (Rom. 12:9-21; Matt. 5:9)
Rom 12:18 “If (Since) it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. NKJV
2. “Seek to live a clean and holy life” 12:14 b-15a.
I Peter 1:15-16
“but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,
because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” NKJV
3. “Watch out that no bitter root of unbelief rises up among you” 12:15b.
Three Key Words introduce each challenge: “Try, Seek, and Watch”!
B. The author's example 12:16-17: Esau is held up as a tragic example of what not to do.
The author of Hebrews points out three flaws in his character:
1. The author calls him immoral 12:16 a. He uses 2 terms”
*He is called a fornicator: Sins against his own body Acts 15:20 1 Cor 6:18.
I Cor. 6:18-20
18 Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body,
but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.
19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you,
whom you have from God, and you are not your own?
20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.
*He is also called profane: He has no regard for any religion
2. The author calls him godless 12:16 b. (Acts 17:15-34)
Godlessness has to with the idea of idolatry.
Acts 17:23
For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription,
TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore you ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. KJV
3. The author reminded us that he despised his birthright 12:16 c-17.
How does any of this apply to us?
**Children who want nothing to do with their ‘parents’ religion or faith.
**Children who want nothing to do with Christ!
IV. The Contrasts: 12:18-24: Two mountains are contrasted. Both are quite significant to the Jews.
A. Mount Sinai 12:18-21
1. The person 12:21: Moses. When you think of Mt. Sinai, you would think of Moses.
2. The principle 12:18-20: The law of God.
B. Mount Zion 12:22-24
1. The person 12:24 a: Christ.
2. The principle 12:22-23,24 b: The grace of God.
(Mt. Calvary: crucifixion) The Coming Christ!
Rev. 14:1
Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, NKJV

What does all this mean?
Mount Sinai (Ex. 19:12, 16, 18-19; 20:18-19) See Don’t touch! Very restrictive on who could approach!
Exercised the ‘external senses’: burned with fire; thunder; lightning; darkness; clouds. The mere thought of
it should bring terror to the heart of man. Look at the statement made by Moses:
Heb 12:21 “And so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I am exceedingly afraid and trembling.” NKJV
The warning: Don’t apostatize! Don’t go back! Don’t give up the faith!
Mount Zion: Life, Grace, Beauty!
Very touchable, available and accessible to all, The City of the Living God, The Heavenly Jerusalem, The home
of the holy angels (myriad: innumerable ten thousands), assembly of the just men made perfect (united with Christ), names enrolled in Heaven! 12:27 “The things shaken” v. “The things that stand”
The false and the fake gone and only the truth and the true remain!
The warning”
V. The Caution 12:25-27:
The author solemnly warns his readers about the terrible results of unbelief.
VI. The All Consuming Fire 12:28-29
A. Our God is a coming King 12:28. Rev. 15: 3-4; 19:1-16
“And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” NKJV
B. Our God is an all consuming fire 12:29. (Heb. 10:26-31; Rev. 19:11-16; I Cor. 3:11-15)
Heb. 10:27, 31
“but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.
It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. NKJV
Rev. 19:12, 16
“His eyes were like a flame of fire, . . .”