Following a stern warning in verses 26-31, chapter 10 concludes with a call to endure in faith. This section serves as a prescription or antidote against apostasy. The prescribed antidote requires two doses: 1) a look back at how far they had come (32-34) and 2) a look forward, considering the reward that awaits those who endure (36-39). The summons to look backward at their former days as believers, the hard struggles, suffering, reproach, and affliction that they endured by faith, is meant to encourage them that what they had done before, they can do again. He is goading them to not give up the fight – saying in essence, “you’ve endured so much already, you can do it again.” Along with the backward look, a look forward to the promise of eternal life, is likewise meant to rekindle a desire to finish the race with endurance. Pondering our eternal reward has transformative effects on our present lives. As we look for an eternal abode that is greater than our present existence, knowing that only those who endure to the end will make it there, it inspires us to not shrink back unto destruction, but instead to live by faith.
