We are in chapter eleven of Exodus with our word for today. חֵן grace, charm, favor, popularity. It is used 70 in the Old Testament. Our word is used in the sense of having God’s favor. Genesis 6:5-8 The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. So the Lord said, “I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created—and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground—for I regret that I have made them.” But Noah found חֵ֖ן favor in the eyes of the Lord.
It is also used in the sense of having the favor of people that God gives. Genesis 39:4-5, 20-23 Joseph found חֵ֛ןfavor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned. From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the Lord blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph…Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined. But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him חִנּ֔וֹ favor in the eyes of the prison warden. So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did. This is how our word is used in our chapter today. Exodus 11:2-3 Speak now in the hearing of the people, that they ask, every man of his neighbor and every woman of her neighbor, for silver and gold jewelry.” And the Lord gave the people חֵ֥ן favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover, the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh's servants and in the sight of the people. We often see the phrase “in the sight of” with our word or as another way to say having favor. It goes to one’s perspective being favorable toward someone which we have seen and also see throughout the Bible as something that God gives or orchestrates. God is setting up the Egyptians to be predisposed to give them silver and gold as they leave. This reminds me of this great proverb that I will close with. Proverbs 13:22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, but the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous.
