Exodus 34:6, “Gracious,” the Hebrew word is “khanun,” which is related to the Hebrew noun “khen.” This word “khen” is often translated as “grace” or “favor.” One meaning of khen is delightful or favorable, Psalms 45:1-2, a skilled poet is said to have lips of khen, that is, he can craft beautiful words that bring delight. Proverbs 1:9, a dazzling piece of jewelry is an ornament of khen, it attracts attention and favor. This is why “khen” is often the word used to describe a gift given with delight or favor, in these cases, khen could be translated as grace. Esther 8:3, Esther approaches the king of Persia to ask that she and her people be spared from death, this is a request for khen, and because the king delights in Esther, he favors her and grants her wish. Giving a gift of favor is khen, because it’s motivated by delight. The most extreme kind of khen, is showing favor to someone, who should get what they deserve, not a generous gift. Genesis 33:8, Jacob, who cheated his brother Esau, ran away and then after 20 years, wants to come back and make things right. Jacob comes to Esau asking, may I find khen in your eyes. Jacob isn’t asking for what is fair, but for favor, and surprisingly, that’s what Esau gives him. Esau chooses to delight in his brother Jacob and shows him grace that he doesn’t deserve.
Khen requires a generous spirit, which people sometimes have, but in the Bible, the one who shows more khen than anyone else, is God. Exodus 33:16, when God rescued the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, they quickly betray God, by giving their allegiance to a golden idol as their god. But then, Moses steps in and asks God to consider giving a gift that they don’t deserve. God says yes, by showing the ultimate act of khen, forgiveness and a promise to be with these people. This character trait of God is so reliable, that over 40 times in the book of Psalms, people cry out for God’s khen, when they’re sick or in danger or when the Israelites are in exile. Isaiah 30:18-19, Isaiah looked back to God’s khen in the past, and boldly declared that God will one day show khen to his people, by delivering them and all creation from death and ruin.
The authors of the New Testament, they describe God’s khen with the Greek word “kharis,” which means “gracious gift.” When we’re introduced to Jesus in the Gospel of John, we’re told that Jesus is God’s glorious kharis, become human, sent into a world of people trapped in darkness and death. Ephesians 2:8, according to the apostle Paul, we’re like the living dead. God has handed humanity over to the destructive consequences of our selfish decisions, but God is rich in mercy and by his kharis, he’s rescued us. Paul’s talking about how Jesus’ life, death and resurrection are offered to us as a generous gift of life that is more powerful than death. As with any gift, all one has to do is receive it. When people are willing to own their failures and ask God for khen, he has a consistent and generous response. God gives the gift of himself, his life and his love, this is what it means that God is gracious.
Khen requires a generous spirit, which people sometimes have, but in the Bible, the one who shows more khen than anyone else, is God. Exodus 33:16, when God rescued the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, they quickly betray God, by giving their allegiance to a golden idol as their god. But then, Moses steps in and asks God to consider giving a gift that they don’t deserve. God says yes, by showing the ultimate act of khen, forgiveness and a promise to be with these people. This character trait of God is so reliable, that over 40 times in the book of Psalms, people cry out for God’s khen, when they’re sick or in danger or when the Israelites are in exile. Isaiah 30:18-19, Isaiah looked back to God’s khen in the past, and boldly declared that God will one day show khen to his people, by delivering them and all creation from death and ruin.
The authors of the New Testament, they describe God’s khen with the Greek word “kharis,” which means “gracious gift.” When we’re introduced to Jesus in the Gospel of John, we’re told that Jesus is God’s glorious kharis, become human, sent into a world of people trapped in darkness and death. Ephesians 2:8, according to the apostle Paul, we’re like the living dead. God has handed humanity over to the destructive consequences of our selfish decisions, but God is rich in mercy and by his kharis, he’s rescued us. Paul’s talking about how Jesus’ life, death and resurrection are offered to us as a generous gift of life that is more powerful than death. As with any gift, all one has to do is receive it. When people are willing to own their failures and ask God for khen, he has a consistent and generous response. God gives the gift of himself, his life and his love, this is what it means that God is gracious.
