Let’s read through the book of Hebrews one verse at a time in 2023. Every day explore a single verse and its cross references. AI-generated text draws the passages together. RSS feed.
For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.
These cross references all relate to the idea of repentance and the consequences of not repenting. They emphasize the importance of responding to God's call and not ignoring it, as well as the consequences of not doing so. They also emphasize the importance of not rejecting God's grace and mercy, as doing so will lead to judgment and destruction. Finally, they emphasize the need to accept and obey God's will, rather than reject it, as rejecting it will lead to dire consequences.
| Passage | How It’s Related (AI-Generated) |
|---|---|
| Proverbs 1:24-31: Because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded, because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you, when terror strikes you like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me. | Both passages discuss the consequences of ignoring God's counsel. Hebrews 12:17 speaks of Esau's rejection of the blessing, and his inability to repent, despite his tears. Proverbs 1:24–31 warns of the consequences of ignoring God's counsel, including terror, distress, and anguish. God will not answer when they call upon Him, and they will not find Him when they seek Him diligently. |
| Matthew 25:11-12: Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ | Both passages refer to the same concept of being rejected by God. Hebrews 12:17 speaks of Esau being rejected by God after he sought to repent with tears, showing that God is unwilling to accept those who show repentance too late. Matthew 25:11–12 speaks of the foolish virgins who were rejected by God after they sought to enter the wedding feast, showing that God is unwilling to accept those who come to Him too late. |
| Luke 13:24-27: “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!’ | Both passages speak to the importance of repentance and being ready for the return of the Lord. Hebrews 12:17 is a warning from the story of Esau, who sought to repent and receive the blessing of his father, but was rejected because he was not prepared. Luke 13:24-27 emphasizes the need to be ready for the Lord's return, and warns that those who are not prepared will be rejected. |
| Hebrews 6:4-6: For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. | Both passages refer to the consequences of rejecting God's grace. Hebrews 12:17 discusses the story of Esau, who was rejected by his father, Isaac, despite his desperate attempts to repent and receive the blessing. Hebrews 6:4–6 speaks of those who have experienced God's grace, yet fail to repent and instead turn away from God, thus crucifying Jesus once again and holding him up to contempt. These passages show that when we reject God's grace, we cannot later turn back to Him and receive His blessing. |
| Hebrews 6:8: But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned. | Both passages point to the consequences of rejecting God's promises and blessings. In Hebrews 12:17, Esau is an example of someone who rejected God's blessing and found no chance to repent. In Hebrews 6:8, the imagery of thorns and thistles is used to illustrate the worthlessness and destruction that comes from rejecting God's promises. |
| Hebrews 10:26-29: For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? | Both passages refer to the consequences of rejecting God's grace. Hebrews 12:17 speaks of Esau's inability to repent and receive the blessing of the Lord after he had already rejected it. Hebrews 10:26–29 speaks of the consequences of deliberately sinning after having received the knowledge of the truth, which is worse punishment than Esau received. The passage warns of a fearful expectation of judgment and a fury of fire that will consume those who reject God's grace. |
Heavenly Father,
We come to You in prayer today, humbly acknowledging Your mercy, grace, and judgment. We thank You for Your Word and for the insight it gives us into Your character.
Help us to understand the importance of repentance and to recognize the consequences of our sin. Give us the strength to resist temptation and the humility to admit our wrongdoings.
We pray that You would open our eyes to the truth of Your Word and that You would give us the courage to seek You with all our hearts. Help us to be diligent in our pursuit of You, that we may not miss the chance to repent and receive Your blessing.
We thank You for Your loving kindness and for Your faithfulness to us. In Jesus' name, Amen.
This reading plan reads through a single verse each day, six days a week, paired with the most-popular cross references for the verse. AI-generated (and human-reviewed) text provides an opening thought and concluding prayer along with an explanation for how each cross reference relates to the verse. In 2023, this reading plan works through Hebrews one verse at a time. Every seventh day is a catchup day. Want more info? Try this blog post.
Unless otherwise indicated, all content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Contact me: openbibleinfo (at) gmail.com.