Wednesday, 21 June 2017

Grace in the Old Testament

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Psalm 5:8(7) "But because of your great lovingkindness, I will enter Your House. I will bow toward Your holy Temple, in awe of You." (TLV)

Hebrew cleans up so much understanding. I didn't realize this was a familiar verse until I read and recognized the Hebrew. This is part of the "Ma Tovu" which is prayed at the start of many worship services.

Here is an amplified translation: And (I am) in the abundance of your grace - (when) I will come to your house, I will bow down toward Your holy gathering (congregation) in fear (reverence) of You.

I've heard it said that, "the Old Testament is based on the covenant of law, while the New Testament is based on the covenant of grace." Certainly, there is a case to be made of emphasis, but the New Testament is not devoid of law (as some hyper-grace advocates would propose), and neither is the Old Testament devoid of grace.

This verse is evidence that there is grace in the Hebrew Scriptures. In fact, Chesed is found almost 250 times in the OT. In the next Psalm, (Psalm 6:5) the last Hebrew word is Chesed (Chasdecha) and the thought there is, "save me on account of Your grace!"

Every day we must give thanks that through the once for all time sacrifice of Yeshua we are made acceptable to God through grace (no merit of our own). It is His gift to us. No wonder Philippians 4:4 instructs us to rejoice. Give thanks to the Lord.