See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:  26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.

Hebrews 12:25-26

Explanation:

In Hebrews 12:19 it says that the people “intreated that the word be not spoken to them any more”. He was speaking of that Sinai generation of Israelites who rejected the Word of the Lord. Here in verse 25, the same word is being used as the word “intreated”. In verse 19 they were begging not to hear the word of God any more. In verse 25 he tells us not to “refuse” the Word of God. Intreated and refused are the same greek word. The preacher is giving a lesser to greater argument. He’s making the case that those people who refused God’s voice on the earth in Mount Sinai did not escape accountability to the Word of God. He is saying that the God of Sinai is the God also of Zion. His voice at that time shook the earth, but this God also promised to shake the heavens. He made that promise in Haggai.

6 For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land; And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall coe: and I will fill this house with glory siath the LORD of hosts.

(Haggai 2:6-7)

This passage (v.25-26) is similar to the passage earlier in Hebrews 2.

1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.

2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;

3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?

Hebrews 2:1-4

We have more revelation now. We have more of God’s salvation plan revealed to us. God has given us all of these examples of faithfulness to His people and through them. If we reject God’s Word when we have more revelation we should not expect that God will not let us escape from this either. This is the case that the preacher is making.

Application:

It is important that we maintain a heart that is open and pliable to the God who has revealed Himself to us through His Word and His Son. We must make sure that we do not have an evil heart of unbelief. 

Inspiration

Lord, help me to have a pliable and submissive heart to you today!