Chapter 1: Neglect Not So Great A Salvation
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. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation…. Paul, the Apostle
There is an interesting explanation for conditional causes that we have in the English language, where we explain causes as either necessary or sufficient. A necessary cause is conditional, meaning that ‘A’ generally produces ‘B’, but sometimes ‘A’ will not produce ‘B’, or in some cases ‘B’ exists without ‘A’. A sufficient cause means that ‘A’ will always produce ‘B’, and that ‘B’ cannot exist without ‘A’.
The subject of An ‘Essential’ Life generated a list of sufficient causes that are direct factors in living a life guided by the Spirit of Truth. Combined with that, the scriptures also provide necessary causes which: facilitate life, protect life, and feed life. Perhaps this subject could be categorized, Be Not Neglectful. The topics within this category may not in themselves generate a life led by the Spirit of Truth, but if we are living an ‘essential’ life, these topics are necessary chores that bring discipline, clarity, and awareness; which, in turn, help us to maintain our purpose.
Stay Attentive
In the letter to the Hebrews we find this statement: 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. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation (Heb.2:1-3). This statement speaks to a conscious awareness of our responsibility to guard the new life given to us through Truth. The statement, give the more earnest heed, perhaps could be clarified in modern English by saying: Pay attention!
Solomon wrote on two separate occasions in the book of Proverbs the same statement regarding neglectful behavior: Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man (Prov. 6:10-11; 24:33-34). Solomon’s proverb captures the spirit of neglectfulness. We may feel at times that we want to take a break from the essentials of life; unfortunately, life does not take a break. Experiences will come that demand righteous judgement, but, if we have neglected the source of Truth, then we will be insufficiently prepared for the experience. Our want will come upon us as an armed man.
King Hezekiah
There is a story in the second book of Kings about a King named Hezekiah. Hezekiah was a faithful man and a just king for many years. God was able to use him to liberate the children of Israel from the hands of the Assyrians, and to remove idol worship from among the kingdom of Israel. Begining in the twentieth chapter of the second book of Kings we read of an episode of Hezekiah’s life that began in faith, languished into neglect, and ended in poor judgement and punishment.
This episode begins in Hezekiah’s later years: In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live. Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the Lord, saying, I beseech thee, O Lord, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore (II Kings 20:1-3). Hezekiah’s plea was for natural life, seemingly without thought towards what would be the best for his soul.
Isaiah the prophet returned with a message from God: And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the Lord came to him, saying, Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the Lord. And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake (II Kings 20:4-6). We often hear the counsel, Be careful what you wish for because you may get it. Hezekiah prayed for life seemingly without thought to what he might do if the prayer was answered.
Hezekiah then asked for a sign from God that would assure him that God had heard his prayer: And Hezekiah said unto Isaiah, What shall be the sign that the Lord will heal me, and that I shall go up into the house of the Lord the third day? And Isaiah said, This sign shalt thou have of the Lord, that the Lord will do the thing that he hath spoken: shall the shadow go forward ten degrees, or go back ten degrees? And Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees: nay, but let the shadow return backward ten degrees. And Isaiah the prophet cried unto the Lord: and he brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down in the dial of Ahaz (II Kings 20:8-11). God proved faithful in His word, both in His sign and in His promise.
Then we read of the king of Babylon sending a letter and a present to Hezekiah after hearing of Hezekiah's illness and recovery. Sometime, during this experience, Hezekiah began to neglect the Spirit of Truth. Hezekiah began to slumber in his awareness of his responsibility to God, and he took the servants of the king of Babylon into his household: And Hezekiah hearkened unto them, and shewed them all the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not (II Kings 20:13).
Isaiah then returned to King Hezekiah and said: What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country, even from Babylon. And he said, What have they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah answered, All the things that are in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shewed them. And Isaiah said unto Hezekiah, Hear the word of the Lord. Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store unto this day, shall be carried into Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the Lord. And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the Lord. And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon. (II Kings 20:14-19). The consequence for Hezekiah’s neglect was severe. The testimony that Hezekiah had established throughout his youth and adult life would be tarnished in his death. All that Hezekiah had felt was a part of his glory, everything that he had shown to the servants of the king of Babylon would, consequently, be taken captive by Babylon. Beyond that, Hezekiah’s own children would be taken captive and there would be an end to his lineage.
Hezekiah’s response to the Lord’s message has the scent of selfish indifference: Then said Hezekiah unto Isaiah, Good is the word of the Lord which thou hast spoken. And he said, Is it not good, if peace and truth be in my days? (II. Kings 20:19) Hezekiah, instead of being ashamed by the consequence of his actions, seemed pleased that his days would end in peace. Thoughts of the future of the kingdom and the coming captivity, or thoughts about his children and what they would face, did not seem to register in Hezekiah’s conscience.
Reading this final episode of Hezekiah’s life we must return to the beginning of his story and remind ourselves that Hezekiah was a godly man, a man that fought for the Lord’s people, and that liberated them from a foreign threat. A king who had removed idolatry and false worship from the nation of Israel. Hezekiah was a man of principle, a man guided by Truth, and humble in the presence of Spirit of Truth. But for a little folding of the hands, for a little slumber, and for a little sleep, want came upon him as an armed man and robbed him of his understanding.
Conclusion
The counsel given to the Hebrews was: give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest at anytime we should let them slip. We can so easily let things slip away from us. Our understanding can slip from our grasp when we fail to pay attention. Sadly, neglect is not sin, but it leads to sin. Perhaps if we considered neglect as a sin it would help us to be alert. That perspective might help us to be aware that neglect, in itself, is an imminent threat to the saving power of Truth.
Borrowing Solomon’s illustration, neglect comes as one that travelleth. It arrives unannounced on our doorstep and finds its way inside. When we become neglectful, our want will come upon us as an armed man. We will be overpowered by our lack, and we will lose our grip on what is ‘essential’. The counsel to the Hebrews is the same counsel for us today, Neglect not so great a salvation.