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by Kevin Pauley
Noah, however, found favor in the eyes of the Lord. These are the family records of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among his contemporaries; Noah walked with God. – Genesis 6:8-9 HCSB
There is a misconception among many Christians that the tzaddikim try to correct. It is the mistaken belief that the Old Testament is about harsh law and the New Testament is about sweet grace. To hold to this fallacy is to do a disservice to El Olam who never changes.[1]
The word ch’ane means favor or grace and is pronounced kind of like “hane”. The word is found very early in the sacred Scriptures[2], though the concept is found in the very first verse.
Noah was not a particularly righteous fellow according to our way of thinking. He got drunk, he lost his temper, he cursed his grandchildren…but his simple faith in Hashem caused the Lord to call him righteous and show him ch’ane anyway.
Abraham also realized his need for ch’ane and found it in the merciful patience of sovereign El Melek.[3] God was so gracious that He even granted Abraham the status of a friend![4]
Joseph also discovered ch’ane in God’s eyes.[5] This gracious favor was translated into esteem in the eyes of those in charge and Joseph soon found himself the second most powerful man in the world by the age of thirty.[6]
It has always been about ch’ane. It was ch’ane that led God to institute a substitute sacrifice instead of killing us outright for our sins.
It was ch’ane that allowed Him to choose one man out of billions and use him to teach all nations about d’vekut with God.
It was ch’ane that kept the children of Israel alive when the rebelled over and over.
Ch’ane drove God to choose a nation of slaves over a nation of conquerors as His own people.
Ch’ane impelled Him to send prophet after prophet even when they were not listened to and many were killed.
God has always been:
Both Azar (Helper) and G’mulah (Vengeance)
Both Cether (Hiding Place) and El Gadol Gibor Yare (Great, Mighty and Awesome God)
Both Ch’eyaluth (My Strength) and Kadosh (Holy One)
Both Mikarov (Near) and Bashamayim (God in Heaven)
Both Nathan N’Qamah (God who avenges me) and Pach’ad (Fear, Terror, Dread)
Both Yasha (Savior, Helper) and Shaphat (Judge)
Both Misgab (Defense) and Mishpat (Justice)
Both Rachum (Merciful) and Yareh (Awesome, Terrible, Dreadful)
So do not think of the Bible as being composed of two separate and different sections but rather as one unified effort to progressively reveal God in His fullness, culminating in the appearance of Yeshua ben Adonai of Nazareth.
Salvation has always come by faith[7] through grace and not of our own good works.[8] Nothing’s changed – and it never will because He won’t.
[4] 2 Chronicles 20:7; Isaiah 41:8
Kevin Pauley is a pastor and writer. He lives in Illinois with his wife, Lynn, their five children and two dogs. His internet address is Berea.
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