gracious

In the book of Exodus, God outlines how he wants his people to treat others based on how he has treated them. The book of Exodus 22:26 (NABRE) concludes with the statement “If he cries out to me, I will hear him; for I am compassionate.” In this translation, it’s easy to miss some of the connection between this concept and the New Testament.

The Hebrew word translated here as “compassionate” is חַנּוּן (channuwn), an adjective that’s related to the Hebrew word that means “to be gracious” or “to favor.” The underlying concept here is fairly well equivalent to the Greek χάρις (charis), which typically is translated as grace. In the context of this passage from the book of Exodus, the idea of God’s favor is especially significant because the LORD just has rescued the Israelites from slavery in Egypt and called them to be his people, an enormous sign of his favor.

How do you think the meaning of this passage changes when God is viewed as gracious rather than as compassionate? How have you experienced God’s favor in your life?

related topics: economy of grace; favor with God; grace

you also may like our two-part study of the prophets
Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume I: A Kingdom Divided examines the prophets in historical context using the First and Second Books of the Kings and other Old Testament passages written before the Babylonian Exile. Volume II: Restoration & Redemption looks at the post-exilic prophets. This 51-lesson Catholic Bible study builds on The United Kingdom of Israel: Saul, David & Solomon Foreshadow Christ the King. Click on these links to view a lesson from Volume I and another from Volume II.

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