We don’t know who they were, but the original recipients of the letter to the Hebrews were going through a rough time. They were being persecuted for their faith in Christ (Heb 10:32-35; 12:3), and the Lord wanted them to endure the difficulties they were going through.
To encourage them to do so, the author does not tell them that their troubles will get easier; in fact, he hints that they might get worse (12:4). He encourages them by telling them not to fear what man can do to them. Whatever they go through, the Lord will help and be with them (13:6).
The author gets this advice from Ps 118:6, which he quotes. The psalmist refers to a great distress he had gone through. We don’t know what it was, but some suggest it was written by a Jew who returned from being held captive in Babylon. People with military and political power had persecuted him and his nation, but God delivered them from that stressful trial. Whatever the particular circumstances, the recipients of Hebrews could take heart from the psalmist’s words. Because He will always be with His people and because He will reward them for their faithfulness, God’s people should not fear men, but should instead trust in God’s Word.
But let’s be honest. That’s easier said than done. Man can cause a lot of problems. The men of Babylon had caused significant injury to the psalmist and his people. As the author of Hebrews penned his letter to first-century believers, he acknowledged that now, centuries later, men were again making the lives of God’s people miserable. The troubles men can cause are not limited to persecution because of our faith. A believer can work for a terrible boss. The believer may fear losing his job because that boss is unreasonable. If a Christian lives under an out-of-control government, he might be harassed by various government officials. Such men can randomly levy fines, audit one’s taxes, or deny business permits.
Solomon addresses the same issue. He says that “The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe” (Prov 29:25). The snare here paints a picture of one without security. Fear can be like a prison. We might feel as if we cannot escape. There’s no freedom of movement. We have all heard the phrase, “paralyzed by fear.” That’s what being afraid of men can do.
The word for safe is the opposite. It often had a military significance. In a military operation, the high ground is where a unit is secure from the enemy.
Solomon’s main point is clear. He is not denying the trouble men can cause. But don’t let fear of that trouble trap you. Reliance upon the Lord’s promises puts you in the place of security. Doing what the Lord’s Word says is the cure for the fears that beset you.
The author of Hebrews has a particular promise of the Lord in mind. Throughout the book he speaks about the coming kingdom of God. Christ is coming soon to establish that kingdom. He will reward believers who rely on Him. Therefore, a believer should be content with whatever he has in this world (13:5).
The things man can do to us are scary. If left to our own devices, such possibilities would keep us from doing anything constructive for the Lord. But we have the sure promises of the Lord. He is on our side. He wants us to succeed. What can man do? If we remember that, we’re like soldiers who safely occupy the high ground. We’re on the winning side. In Him, we are more than conquerors (Rom 8:37).
