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Behold now, thy servant hath found grace (HEN) in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast shewed unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die:
Genesis 19: 19 (KJV)
(1)
INTRODUCTION
Hen is the Hebrew word for grace and favor. It can also mean precious, valuable, and pleasant. While the word grace in the English texts does not always originate from the Hebrew word hen, the latter is most commonly associated with grace in the Hebrew culture.
Grace is unmerited and undeserved favor. It is a free-will gift given to the weaker by someone stronger or someone in a more favorable position. It can save from distress and misfortune, oppression. It can uplift someone from shame and humiliation to honor. Lastly, it can empower the receiver to do the impossible.
FROM SLAVERY, OPPRESSION, AND DISTRESS TO FREEDOM
A silent tear trickled down haggard cheeks. One and alone for the circumstances, did not permit for more. All the pain and sorrow were poured into this tear; the helplessness and powerlessness were conveyed.
The emotionally and spiritually beaten down figure looked at the fruit of its body in total helplessness and despair. It could do no more for the child it had bore. The figure belonged to a young woman, though her appearance would make you think twice. So beaten down she was, and her people alike, that she looked far older than her true years. Her youth was but a faint memory and even more of her soul was being wrenched away and carried down the stream, never to be once more seen.
“And, behold, the Lord stood above it, and said, I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed”, Yahweh promised Jacob in Genesis 28: 13-15 (KJV). A great promise of prosperity and rulership. A promise of success, peace, and abundance.
But lo and behold; Israel and his descendants ended up in Egypt where they did greatly multiply. They were favored and granted the best land and positions. But years later an unrighteous Pharaoh arose. As quickly as they ascended in honor, they descended into disfavor.
They were treated as slaves and even their offspring was forced to be sacrificed to the river Nile and the gods residing in it. Great was their distress, and the oppression they suffered. It seemed as though Yahweh had deserted them, but that was far from the truth. Despite them and their offspring being attacked, they multiplied even more greatly. One part of the promise was already fulfilled and being preserved. They were as dust of the earth.
But what about the second part? They were without a land of their own. Even more, they were being treated as slaves. All seemed without hope that they would be able to obtain that land. All looked as though they were forgotten and left behind.
Yet, Yahweh saw their suffering and remembered the covenant he had with Israel and his descendants. He was not one to be mocked. He would perform that which he had promised. He was unlike any other Elohim. He was mighty to save. And with great grace, favor, and mercy he looked upon Israel.
He took it upon Himself to deliver that which was oppressed and neglected with His own mighty hand. Freedom Israelites obtained.
LOOK UPON ME WITH FAVOR
Though by far the most commonly known, the Exodus story is merely one of the many stories of God’s grace and favor being extended toward his people and the oppressed.
Another such account is the story of Hannah. An infertile woman who could not conceive was not only carrying the social disgrace of such an unfortunate ordeal but had to also endure mockery, shaming, and oppression by her nemesis. She at last cried out to God as stated in 1 Samuel 1: 18 (KJV).
And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace (hen) in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.
1 Samuel 1: 18 (KJV)
She found that favor she petitioned for. Removed was her disgrace and she bore children for her husband.
HEN - GRACE, FAVOR
The most commonly used Hebrew word for grace is hen. It can also mean favor, valuable, precious, and pleasant. In the English texts, the word grace may not always originate from the Hebrew word hen, yet ultimately the meaning is similar. (2)
Hen - grace - describes a gift in the form of unmerited favor being extended from someone in a prominent, more favorable, more powerful position to another in a less fortunate, potentially distressful position. (2)
Grace in general per Meriam Webster's Dictionary is described as: a) unmerited divine assistance given to humans for their regeneration or sanctification, b) a virtue coming from God, c) a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine assistance, d) approval, favor, e) mercy, pardon, f) a special favor: privilege, a disposition to or an act or instance of kindness, courtesy, or clemency, or g) a temporary exemption: reprieve among many other things. (3)
GRACE AS MERCY AND REPRIVE
As can be seen from both stories grace can be exhibited as the deliverance from distress and oppression. It is in other words considered as mercy being extended to the mostly undeserved and the needy. Grace saves and delivers from unlikely and unfavorable situations. It is also forgiveness and mercy extended towards the undeserving. (2)
We all know the famous song Amazing Grace. A hymn was written by John Newton in 1772. Mr. Newton never had any specific religious upbringing. Life led him into navy service and eventually, he involved himself with the Atlantic Slave trade. (3)
He was caught up in a violent storm in 1748 where his vessel was violently battered around. He cried out to God for mercy and grace was extended. Eventually, Mr. Newton ended his seafaring and if one can conclude from the lyrics of his most famous hymn regretted his involvement with slave trading. (3)
His hymn reminds us that grace - “ forgiveness and redemption are possible regardless of sins committed and that the soul can be delivered from despair through the mercy of God” (3)
GRACE AS VINDICATION
Going a little back to the story of Hannah we can see that Hannah did not merely receive reprieve from her despair and oppression. She was vindicated from all the mockery she had endured over the years. (2)
God’s grace is also His divine ability to bring one from shame and humiliation and instantly honor them in front of others, and in some cases position them with kings as seen in the story of Joseph. (2)
GRACE AS BEAUTY
The word hen (khen) as already mentioned also means precious, and pleasant. BibleProject Scholarship Team in their article What is the Definition of Grace? (According to the Bible); Unpacking the Multifaceted Meaning of Grace describes grace as a treasure worth finding. (4)
In Hebrew, khen is anything that induces a favorable response or something we find ourselves drawn to, something elegant or charming or beautiful. Anything that brings us delight could be called khen. (4)
GRACE AS EMPOWERMENT
Hannah though infertile, gave birth to a miraculous child - Samuel - and many others after him. It was a direct result of divine intervention.
Grace contrary to the belief of some is not merely God’s mercy and favor. It is also God’s empowerment to do that which He has called us to do.
Yeshua said that even greater things we will do. Through the Holy Spirit - the Helper - that came we can do amazing and seemingly impossible things. As did Moses and Aaron when they performed the great signs and wonders in the name of Yahweh in Egypt.
Grace also empowers us to overcome sin and transforms us into the original image God had in mind as He created us in the wombs of our mothers.
GOD IS INFINITELY MERCIFUL
There is none as merciful or graceful as YAHWEH Himself. Despite the initial sin of Adam and Eve, He still set to restore humanity to its original Edenic state through them and was merciful to them.
Besides being merciful to Hannah and Israel in Egypt, He has showcased grace, mercy, and empowerment to us all ever since the beginning of time like in the case of Samson, Samuel, David, Elijah, Elisha the apostles, and so many others.
Grace is ultimately an expression of God’s love for those who are powerless and in most cases undeserving.
And even if we could write down all of the accounts of God extending that grace, we would still not be able to grasp and entail His Amazing Grace in its fullness and totality.
CONCLUSION
Grace is a treasure worth finding. It is unmerited favor extended from one more favorably positioned, more powerful toward one less fortunate or even oppressed and undeserving individual. The Hebrew word for grace is hen (khen) and can mean anything we find ourselves drawn to, something elegant, charming or beautiful, and favor.
Grace can deliver from oppression, and reprieve, can empower, and can vindicate.
It is ultimately an expression of God’s love for those who are powerless and in most cases undeserving.
Application
Dear Abba, reveal to us all the times you were graceful to us throughout the years during this upcoming week. Let it become the victories that will fuel us forward in future battles.
SOURCES
Image created via canva.com.
Fellowship of Israel-related ministries. Hebrew Word for Grace and Bible Definition of Favor. October 22, 2021. Available at https://firmisrael.org/learn/definition-of-grace-and-hebrew-meaning-of-favor/
Wikipedia. Amazing grace. Available at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazing_Grace
BibleProject Scholarship Team. What is the Definition of Grace? (According to the Bible): Unpacking the Multifaceted Meaning of Grace. September 18, 2020. Available at https://bibleproject.com/articles/biblical-grace-and-a-generous-god/
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