Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical context, "favours" often refer to acts of kindness, grace, or preferential treatment bestowed by God or individuals. The concept of favour is deeply rooted in the understanding of God's grace and mercy towards humanity, as well as the interpersonal relationships among people.Divine Favour Divine favour is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, illustrating God's grace and benevolence towards His people. It is often associated with blessings, protection, and guidance. One of the most notable examples of divine favour is found in the account of Noah. Genesis 6:8 states, "But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD." This favour led to Noah and his family being spared from the flood, highlighting God's grace in the midst of judgment. Similarly, Mary, the mother of Jesus, is described as having found favour with God. In Luke 1:30, the angel Gabriel tells her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God." This divine favour is linked to her role in the incarnation of Christ, underscoring the special grace bestowed upon her. Favour in Human Relationships Favour is also significant in human relationships, often manifesting as kindness or preferential treatment. Proverbs 3:3-4 advises, "Let loving devotion and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will find favor and high regard in the sight of God and man." This passage suggests that living a life marked by love and faithfulness can lead to favour both from God and from others. The account of Esther provides a powerful example of human favour. Esther 2:17 states, "Now the king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she found favor and kindness with him more than all the other virgins, so that he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen in place of Vashti." Esther's favour with the king ultimately positioned her to save her people, demonstrating how favour can lead to significant outcomes. Favour and Righteousness The Bible often links favour with righteousness and obedience to God's commands. Psalm 5:12 declares, "For surely You, O LORD, bless the righteous; You surround them with the shield of Your favor." This suggests that living a righteous life aligns one with God's favour, providing protection and blessing. Conversely, the lack of favour is sometimes associated with disobedience or sin. In Isaiah 1:15, God expresses His displeasure with the people of Israel, saying, "When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you multiply your prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood." Here, the absence of divine favour is linked to the people's unrighteous actions. Seeking Favour The pursuit of favour, particularly divine favour, is encouraged in Scripture. Proverbs 8:35 states, "For whoever finds me finds life and obtains the favor of the LORD." This verse, speaking of wisdom, suggests that seeking wisdom and understanding is a pathway to obtaining God's favour. In prayer, believers often seek God's favour for guidance, provision, and protection. Psalm 90:17 is a prayer for divine favour: "May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands." This reflects a desire for God's blessing and approval in one's endeavors. Conclusion The concept of favour in the Bible encompasses both divine grace and human kindness. It is a multifaceted theme that underscores the importance of living a life aligned with God's will, characterized by righteousness, love, and faithfulness. Whether in the form of divine blessing or human kindness, favour is a testament to the relational nature of God's interaction with humanity and the interpersonal dynamics among people. Library Treats of the Sublime Favours God Bestows on Souls which have ... Ep. Civ. All the Other Favours which I have Received I Know to be ... The Dispensation of the Divine Favours Reconciled with the ... Letter xiv. --Singular Favours of God. Of Certain Special Favours Exercised by the Divine Providence in ... Describes the Grief Felt on Account of their Sins by Souls on whom ... The Conclusion Sets Forth what Appears to be Our Lord's Principal ... This ChapterShows How, when God Bestows Greater Favours on the ... Treats of Several Ways Whereby Our Lord Quickens the Soul; There ... This ChapterTreats of the Beauty and Dignity of Our Souls and ... Thesaurus Favours (3 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance Favours (3 Occurrences). ... (DBY). Job 19:17 My spirit is strange to my wife, And my favours to the sons of my 'mother's' womb. (YLT). ... /f/favours.htm - 7k Joiada (5 Occurrences) Fawn (2 Occurrences) Favouritism (1 Occurrence) Bittern (4 Occurrences) Baptism (76 Occurrences) Ambassador (5 Occurrences) Merciful (53 Occurrences) Resources Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible ThesuarusConcordance Favours (3 Occurrences)2 Samuel 20:11 Job 19:17 Psalms 77:9 Subtopics Related Terms |
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