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Unaccustomed to the Bible
Although he was a Son, he learned obedience from the things which he suffered. And having been made perfect, he became to all those who obey him the source of eternal salvation, being designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.
Hebrews 5.8-14
Notice from v. 12, that in stating that they had become dull of hearing, it is necessarily implied that they were not always that way. How had they “become dull” in their hearing? The answer lies in what was stated in v. 14 about their “powers of discernment.” To discern takes practice — constant practice. In all that is involved in this, the simple idea is that of constant Bible study.
When your powers of discernment aren’t trained, it is inevitable that you will “become dull of hearing,” and as the writer said, when you “become dull of hearing,” distinguishing right from wrong is difficult.
The area most affected by dullness concerns the role of man’s obedience in his salvation. This significance is seen in mentioning the example of Jesus and his obedience. Reread vv. 8-9. Obedience was “learned” through suffering and is related to — and necessary for — perfection.
Having been trained, they could now understand the significance of Christ’s obedience and of his his perfection came through his sufferings. More importantly, they could understand how obedience is connected to the sinner’s salvation from sin. However, when one’s powers of discernment aren’t trained, the connection of obedience to salvation is hard to explain.
What about you? Do you have difficulty seeing the connection of obedience to salvation? Give prayerful thought and study to what is said in v. 9 of Jesus: “…having been made perfect, he became to all those who obey him the source of eternal salvation.” More importantly, give prayerful thought and study as to whether you have obeyed what he has commanded of you.
