Finding Grace
“But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.” Genesis 6.8
You will find that the first occurrence of the word “grace” in the Bible is in Genesis 6.8. The Hebrew word which translates “grace” is “ḥēn” which is a masculine noun meaning favor, grace, and acceptance. Genesis 6.8 shows a basic application of this word, meaning an unmerited favor or regard in God’s sight. Beyond this, however, the word conveys a sense of acceptance or preference in a more general manner as well. (Zodiates)
The word “ḥēn” appears fourteen times in the first book of the Bible, but not until Noah “finds” it. The thought of “finding” something is quite intriguing. After all, how do we “find” something that seems to be a gift from God? Furthermore, in each of the occurrences in Genesis it seems that grace is, indeed, something that is found.
There is a difference between “finding” something and “happening upon” something. In the latter, there seems to be a suggestion of the finder having sought in order to find his objective. When Moses warned the Israelites to put away the idols, he encouraged them to seek God. “But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.” (Deuteronomy 4.29) They were to seek God diligently through sacrifices and personal devotion.
All of this suggests that Noah did not “happen upon” God’s grace, but rather, he sought God. The last part of Genesis 4 indicates that a strong wall of separation had been established between those who were pure in their relationship with God and those who were of the ungodly line of Cain. After Abel had lost his life for pursuing God, Seth, his brother, whose son was named Enos, came on the scene. Enos was a leader who honored God. “And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD.” (Genesis 4.26) Although Enos’ generation sought grace, they did not experience it the same what that Noah did.
Enoch had walked with God and God rewarded him by taking him out of the world without seeing death at the young age of 365 years. Methuselah, Enoch’s son, was rewarded with long life – one which lasted for 969 years. Generally speaking, the line of Seth sought for and found relationships with God. Noah found grace that would save his household and the entire human race.
Throughout the Old Testament, men and women struggled to find this grace that was indicative of the character of God. Things changed with the advent of Christ. No longer would an individual be burdened with the Old Testament laws of approach to God. God, through His Son, reached down to earth to redeem fallen humanity to Himself. (Matthew 9.13; Mark 2.17; Luke 5.32; Hebrews 4.16)
Through the work of God’s Spirit, men’s hearts are made alive and cleansed. (Titus 3.5) The soul is taken from a position of death and quickened as the Holy Spirit breathes into that person the breath of life. (Ephesians 2.5) No longer does a person offer sacrifices with hopes that they are acceptable in the sight of God. God has provided for Himself the perfect Lamb who has suffered the penalty for all our sins in His own body on the cross. (John 1.29, 36; Revelation 5.6)
Because of the work of Christ Jesus on the Cross, a lost sinner no longer gropes in darkness for answers; God reaches out to him and bestows saving grace making him a new creation. (II Corinthians 5.17) There is nothing left to do but to believe.
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10.9, 10)
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2.8, 9)
The word “ḥēn” appears fourteen times in the first book of the Bible, but not until Noah “finds” it. The thought of “finding” something is quite intriguing. After all, how do we “find” something that seems to be a gift from God? Furthermore, in each of the occurrences in Genesis it seems that grace is, indeed, something that is found.
There is a difference between “finding” something and “happening upon” something. In the latter, there seems to be a suggestion of the finder having sought in order to find his objective. When Moses warned the Israelites to put away the idols, he encouraged them to seek God. “But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.” (Deuteronomy 4.29) They were to seek God diligently through sacrifices and personal devotion.
All of this suggests that Noah did not “happen upon” God’s grace, but rather, he sought God. The last part of Genesis 4 indicates that a strong wall of separation had been established between those who were pure in their relationship with God and those who were of the ungodly line of Cain. After Abel had lost his life for pursuing God, Seth, his brother, whose son was named Enos, came on the scene. Enos was a leader who honored God. “And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD.” (Genesis 4.26) Although Enos’ generation sought grace, they did not experience it the same what that Noah did.
Enoch had walked with God and God rewarded him by taking him out of the world without seeing death at the young age of 365 years. Methuselah, Enoch’s son, was rewarded with long life – one which lasted for 969 years. Generally speaking, the line of Seth sought for and found relationships with God. Noah found grace that would save his household and the entire human race.
Throughout the Old Testament, men and women struggled to find this grace that was indicative of the character of God. Things changed with the advent of Christ. No longer would an individual be burdened with the Old Testament laws of approach to God. God, through His Son, reached down to earth to redeem fallen humanity to Himself. (Matthew 9.13; Mark 2.17; Luke 5.32; Hebrews 4.16)
Through the work of God’s Spirit, men’s hearts are made alive and cleansed. (Titus 3.5) The soul is taken from a position of death and quickened as the Holy Spirit breathes into that person the breath of life. (Ephesians 2.5) No longer does a person offer sacrifices with hopes that they are acceptable in the sight of God. God has provided for Himself the perfect Lamb who has suffered the penalty for all our sins in His own body on the cross. (John 1.29, 36; Revelation 5.6)
Because of the work of Christ Jesus on the Cross, a lost sinner no longer gropes in darkness for answers; God reaches out to him and bestows saving grace making him a new creation. (II Corinthians 5.17) There is nothing left to do but to believe.
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10.9, 10)
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2.8, 9)
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