Please… God’s Grace in the Old Testament
The notion God is not gracious in the Old Testament is ridiculous. He is not a mean, sadistic God who is looking to squish people with His foot. He has always been gracious. Look at the people who received God’s grace in the Old Testament.
Laban recognized God’s grace and favor through Jacob.
Genesis 30:27 But Laban said to him, “If I have found favor in your sight, I have learned by divination that the LORD has blessed me because of you.”
Joseph was extended grace by God via a prison guard.
Genesis 39:21 But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
The nation of Israel was granted favor on the way out of Egypt.
Exodus 11:3 And the LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover, the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh’s servants and in the sight of the people.
Exodus 12:36 And the LORD had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have what they asked. Thus they plundered the Egyptians.
Moses received God’s grace throughout Exodus 33. See one of many examples to Moses below.
Exodus 33:12 Moses said to the LORD, “See, you say to me, ‘Bring up this people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.’
Gideon received grace and favor from God personally via a sign in Judges 6:11-27.
Hannah was granted grace and favor in the birth of Samuel in 1 Samuel 1.
King David was anointed with grace.
Psalm 45:2 You are the most handsome of the sons of men; grace is poured upon your lips; therefore God has blessed you forever.
Grace is given by God to those who walk in truth.
Psalm 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.
God blesses the afflicted with favor and grace.
Proverbs 3:34 Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor.
God’s grace for His nation Israel is eternal.
Jeremiah 31:1-3 “At that time, declares the LORD, I will be the God of all the clans of Israel, and they shall be my people.” Thus says the LORD: “The people who survived the sword found grace in the wilderness; when Israel sought for rest, the LORD appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you…”
God’s Grace is better than material wealth despite what the culture says.
Proverbs 22:1 A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.
And yes, God’s grace in Jesus Christ is promised from the Old Testament prophet Zechariah.
Zechariah 12:10 “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn…”
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