The Grace of God in the Old Testament (1)

Introduction. (John 1:14-17). We note from this text the statement “Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” Was there no grace in the Old Testament? John Calvin claimed “The law had neither the one nor the other” (Commentary on John 1:17). That may sound more harsh than he actually believed. He explains in the context his belief that the grace and truth that were brought by Christ gave life to a lifeless system of law without Christ. Even so, his words illustrate the concept many have held regarding grace under the Old Covenant. What does the Bible teach about grace in the Old Testament?

I. Words for “grace” in the Old Testament.

A.      Hebrew noun chen “favour, grace, charm” (BDB).

•         We can see on the PowerPoint this word circled in Deut. 24:1 from a Dead Sea Scroll (4QDeut^a)

B.      Hebrew verb chanan “to be gracious, show favour, pity...to seek favour” (BDB).

•         We can see on the PowerPoint this word circled in Isaiah 26:10 from a Dead Sea Scroll (1QIsa^a)

C.      Grace is not just a New Testament concept.

•         It runs throughout the Old Testament

II. God clearly extended grace to His people in the Old Testament.

A.      “Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD” (Gen. 6:5-8).

B.      Jacob declared “God has dealt graciously with me” (Gen. 33:8-11).

C.      Israel “found grace in the wilderness” (Jer. 30:23-31:3).

D.     The blessing Mosaic priests were to offer over the people spoke of grace (Num. 6:23-27).

•         The oldest known biblical text contains a portion of this blessing, dated to 600 BC.

E.      During the days of Jehoahaz “the LORD was gracious” unto Israel (2 Kings 13:20-23).

F.      Jonah resisted preaching to Nineveh knowing that God was “a gracious and merciful God” (Jon. 3:10-4:3).

G.      In sparing a remnant after the exile, Ezra recognized “grace has been shown from the LORD our God” (Ezra 9:5-9).

H.     The wise man proclaimed that God “gives grace to the humble” (Prov. 3:31-34; Jas. 4:6).

I.        The psalmist declared, “The LORD gives grace and glory” (Psa. 84:8-12, NASB).