Day5
Week4
1 Samuel
“But the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor both with the Lord and with men.”
1 Samuel 2:26 AMP
Cross references
Proverbs 3:4;
Luke 2:40;
Luke 2:52;
Romans 14:18;
Acts 2:47
Favor
Favor means God stepping into one's situation to make a worthwhile difference. Favor is the highway to connect your destiny.
Grace in Hebrew
The most common Hebrew word for “grace” is חן (hen). However, sometimes it is translated into a different English word, like ‘precious’ or ‘valuable’. At the same time, if we look for ‘grace’ in an English Bible, we will quickly discover that the Hebrew original does not always use hen in defining grace.
So, how do we make sense out of that?
Hebrew Meaning of Grace
Let’s start at the beginning. The first use of the word ‘grace’ in the Bible is found in Genesis 6:8: “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.”
The Hebrew word used here to define grace is indeed hen. Its derivative, hanan (חנן), is often translated as “to be gracious” or “have mercy “. In Psalm 6:2, the Psalmist says,
“Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am languishing; heal me, O LORD, for my bones are troubled.”
However, for example in Proverbs 17:8, the same word – hen, is translated as precious, something of beauty and value: “A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it…” (KJV, Proverbs 17:8).
You have probably heard ‘grace’ defined as unmerited favor. And in the Bible, it is often paired with another great word, mercy, which of course, has a different Hebrew equivalent. So, what’s the difference? And in what way is each one of them unique? Let’s look to the Bible for answers.
Grace in the Story of Hannah
The aforementioned word hanan is where the popular Hebrew name Hannah came from. Hannah was the mother of the prophet Samuel. The story of Hannah is like her namesake – full of God’s grace and mercy.
The Meaning of Hen in Hebrew
In the case of Hannah, grace not only entailed being favored, but it came as a relief from distress. It was a vindication in the eyes of her mockers.
Thus, the story of Hannah shows that hen, the Hebrew word for grace, is not only mercy and favor. But it brings healing, vindication, and strength. While mercy is the removal of punishment or suffering, grace goes beyond. It is a gift that we neither deserve nor can earn. It is something that only God can provide us with since He is the source from which it flows.
Hannah’s shame for being infertile in a society that valued childbearing in women above all else put her in despair. On top of that, she was – in modern terms – bullied by her husband’s other wife. Hannah felt dishonored and humiliated.
But God not only took away Hannah’s distress – which would mean He showed her mercy. He raised her up out of the ashes and gave her a seat of honor and dignity among her family and peers. He showed her grace.
The Bible Definition of Favor
God chose to set His grace upon us, to set us free from death and sin. He gives us life everlasting, both in the present and future age, not in accordance with our actions, but by His grace alone. This is the message of the Hebrew word for grace.
As the Apostle Paul says in Ephesians 2:8-10:
“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”
How do we gain favor from God?
Isaiah 66:2 says, “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.” Second Chronicles 16:9 says, “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong on behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.” To be “perfect” toward Him means we seek His favor more than we seek the favor of anyone else, even ourselves.
Action Step:
Spend some quality time with Jesus today seeking His presence and showing Him favor.
Comments