Grace, Mercy and Righteousness from God

Before we dive into the Old Testament itself in search of God’s grace, however, there is an important question that we ought to answer.  What is grace?  In our modern speaking we use the word grace to describe all kinds of things.  Most often it describes beauty in the form of graceful movement or dance, or kindness in the form of gracious words.  Both of these meanings flow out of the original meaning of the word grace.  We also use the word grace to speak of prayers that we offer before a meal.  This usage comes closer to the original meaning, since our prayers acknowledge that the food we are about to consume is a gift of God’s grace, and we seek His blessing as we partake of His gifts. 

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The basic Hebrew word for grace is the word חֵן (ḥēn), which means favor.  The word describes the willingness of a superior to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior.  Grace is an act that displays one’s fondness or compassion for another.    When God grants grace, He shows unmerited favor toward sinners, who are unable to please God.  Grace demonstrates His goodness toward those who are helpless and weak.  Because of His grace, God is favorably disposed toward us, even though we are completely unworthy of any of the goodness He shows to us.  Grace is a part of God’s character.  He is repeatedly described through the Old Testament as being a “gracious” God.  Because this is God’s nature, there are countless incidents throughout Scripture where God demonstrates grace, and the word חֵן is never used.  Grace, then, is God’s undeserved and unsolicited favor toward those who cannot help themselves because of their sinful nature.

Another key word connected to the grace of God is the word חֶסֶד (ḥě·sěḏ) or kindness, meaning unfailing kindness or devotion, that is, a love or affection that is steadfast.  The difference between grace and kindness is that חֶסֶד stresses free kindness within a lasting relationship and does not necessarily express the movement of the stronger to the weaker.  The King James Version used the words “mercy” or “loving-kindness” to translate this Hebrew term, whereas the New International Version frequently uses the simple word “love” as well as “mercy”, and the English Standard Version often translates it as “steadfast love.”

These two terms are frequently linked to each other in describing the nature of God, along with similar terms like “compassionate,” “forgiving,” “slow to anger,” and “faithful.”  With terms such as these being the words God most often uses to describe Himself in Scripture, it should not surprise us to find example after example of God’s grace to His people throughout the Old Testament.

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Another term that connects directly with Romans 3:21 is the Hebrew word צְדָקָה

(tsâdaqah) meaning “righteousness.”  In reference to God Himself this word is used to describe God’s character as sovereign in administering justice and punishment.  God by nature is always righteous and acts justly.  In reference to sinful human beings however, this word most often means to justify, to declare righteous, or to save or vindicate.  Thus, when God credits righteousness to someone they are justified before God, saved from the punishment they deserve, and are restored to a right relationship with God.  The fact that God is willing to do this is a demonstration of God’s grace.  God makes us righteous by His Word because He is gracious and merciful.  Thus, justification by grace through faith is first taught in the Old Testament. 

On the basis of this understanding of the grace of God, and the righteousness that comes by grace through faith, then, let us begin our search for Prophetic Grace.

Copyright by the Author.