Favour in God's Sight

In the book of 1 Chronicles, Achan is referred to in a genealogy as "the troubler of Israel" because he took of the accursed things and led to Israel's defeat at Ai (2:7).  Before they took the city, Joshua strictly warned the people not to take of the spoil for themselves because it was the LORD's.  After God caused the walls of Jericho to fall the the city was taken, Achan coveted gold, silver and clothing he found, stashed it in his tent and brought a curse upon the nation.  Soon thereafter 36 men perished in a battle as a consequence of his decision, and the nation was indeed troubled until the truth came to light.  Having been identified by God Achan confessed his sin, the stolen goods were recovered and he was executed for his rebellion and disobedience before God.

This situation is reminiscent of how the sin of Adam brought sin and death to the world which has been troubled ever since.  Jesus came to provide atonement for sin and destroy the curse which doomed all humanity to everlasting destruction.  Though the work of atonement and forgiveness of sin was complete by Jesus on Calvary for all who are born again and trust in Him, sin will continue to trouble those who practice it without confession and repentance.  We can be justified before God and "have the victory" like Achan did, yet at the same time cause trouble for ourselves and others by our sin.  Achan's punishment was punitive under Law, but we are disciplined and corrected by God not for our destruction but restoration of fellowship with God and increased fruitfulness.  There are troubles God allows Christians to face not as a direct consequence of their own sin, but the point is sin brings trouble to ourselves and others.

Consider the New Testament exhortation to believers in Hebrews 12:14-16:  "Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: ¹⁵ looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; ¹⁶ lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright."  The text is clear anyone can fall short of the grace of God and result in bitterness.  When a person is bitter, it is evidence of a lack of grace in the heart.  Like weeds that spring forth from a bare patch in turf, the root goes down and the bitterness puts out runners that spread to others.  A person who is bitter will spread their toxic response to offense and cause others to be troubled too.  By this, the writer of Hebrews warns us, many become defiled.  Those who are embittered often have legitimate concerns but lack the sweetness of God's grace and love they are called to walk in.  As the example of Esau shows, bitterness does not find its root in circumstances or others:  it is a problem between that person and God.

When Hannah was in bitterness of soul because of her barrenness and the provocation of Peninnah, she sought the LORD in 1 Samuel 1:10:  "And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the LORD and wept in anguish." After being assured by the high priest Eli she had been heard by the LORD, see the difference in her outlook and disposition in 1 Samuel 1:18:  "And she said, "Let your maidservant find favour in your sight." So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad."  We have a far greater high priest than who was in office in Hannah's day, for Jesus Christ is our great high priest who has sat down at the right hand of the Father.  Jesus is the Minister of a better covenant who made a new and living way for us to approach God, and we can approach Jesus at all times as it is written in Hebrews 4:14-16:  "Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. ¹⁵ For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶ Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."  Having been justified by grace through faith in Jesus, let us be done justifying our bitterness.  When a weed springs up in our lawn we pull it, and when bitterness rears up in our hearts let us come boldly to God, confess our bitterness of soul and know we have found favour in God's sight.