Definition and Nature:
Divine favour refers to the special grace, kindness, and approval bestowed by God upon individuals or groups. It is an expression of God's benevolence and love, often resulting in blessings, protection, and guidance. Divine favour is not earned by human merit but is granted according to God's sovereign will and purpose.

Biblical Instances of Divine Favour:

1. Noah:
Noah found favour in the eyes of the Lord amidst a corrupt generation. Genesis 6:8 states, "But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD." This favour led to Noah being chosen to build the ark, preserving humanity and animal life from the flood.

2. Abraham:
Abraham received divine favour through God's covenant, promising him numerous descendants and land. Genesis 12:2 records God's promise: "I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing."

3. Joseph:
Despite his trials, Joseph experienced God's favour, which elevated him to a position of power in Egypt. Genesis 39:21 notes, "The LORD was with him and extended kindness to him, granting him favor in the eyes of the prison warden."

4. Moses:
Moses found favour with God, who chose him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. In Exodus 33:17 , the Lord said to Moses, "I will do this very thing you have asked, for you have found favor in My sight, and I know you by name."

5. Mary, Mother of Jesus:
Mary was highly favoured by God to be the mother of Jesus. Luke 1:30 records the angel's words: "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God."

Characteristics of Divine Favour:

· Unmerited Grace: Divine favour is not based on human actions or worthiness but is a gift from God. Ephesians 2:8-9 emphasizes, "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast."

· Purposeful: God's favour often aligns with His divine plan and purposes. It is bestowed to fulfill His will, as seen in the lives of biblical figures like Joseph and Moses.

· Transformative: Those who receive divine favour often experience significant life changes, leading to spiritual growth and fulfillment of God's promises.

Seeking Divine Favour:

· Righteous Living: While divine favour is unmerited, living a life aligned with God's commandments can position individuals to receive His blessings. 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."

· Prayer and Humility: Seeking God through prayer and maintaining a humble heart can invite His favour. 2 Chronicles 7:14 states, "If My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land."

Implications of Divine Favour:

· Protection and Provision: Those who receive divine favour often experience God's protection and provision, as seen in the lives of the Israelites during their exodus from Egypt.

· Influence and Leadership: Divine favour can elevate individuals to positions of influence and leadership, enabling them to fulfill God's purposes, as demonstrated in the lives of Joseph and Esther.

· Spiritual Blessings: Beyond material and earthly benefits, divine favour encompasses spiritual blessings, including peace, joy, and a deeper relationship with God.John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Topicalbible.org

Acts 6:3
Why, brothers, look you out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
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Genesis 12:3
And I will bless them that bless you, and curse him that curses you: and in you shall all families of the earth be blessed.
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Psalm 110:1
The LORD said to my Lord, Sit you at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.
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1 John 4:6
We are of God: he that knows God hears us; he that is not of God hears not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
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5485. charis -- grace, kindness
... or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection
in the life; including gratitude) -- acceptable, benefit, favour, gift, grace ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5485.htm - 8k

Of the Lack of all Comfort
... 7. I have never found any man so religious and godly, but that he felt sometimes
a withdrawal of the divine favour, and lack of fervour. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kempis/imitation of christ/chapter ix of the lack.htm

Occasion of Writing. Relative Position of Jews and Gentiles ...
... [1138] For thus has the "less""that is, posterior"people overcome the "greater people,"
while it attains the grace of divine favour, from which Israel has ...
/.../tertullian/an answer to the jews/chapter i occasion of writing relative.htm

Of the First Sentiments of Love which Divine Inspirations Cause in ...
... spirit. And all this, as I have said, is done in us without us, for it
is the divine favour that prevents us in this sort. But if ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter xiii of the first.htm

That Heavenly Providence Has Provided Men with a Most Abundant ...
... amidst the very grace of his mercy, as for example the necessity of dying, diseases,
labours, the rebellion of sensuality,"yet the divine favour floating as ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter v that heavenly providence.htm

The Two-Fold Aspect of the Divine Working
... Everything that is good, and everything that does good, is an ally of God's, and
may be sure of the divine favour and of the divine blessing resting upon it. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the two-fold aspect of the.htm

Argument. --He First of all Asserts that the Law is Spiritual; and ...
... Moreover, afterwards the use of flesh was added, the divine favour supplying for
human necessities the kinds of meats generally fitting for suitable occasions. ...
/.../novatian/on the jewish meats/chapter ii argument he first of.htm

Its Meaning
... high court of Heaven, by which He pronounces an elect and believing sinner to be
freed from the penalty of the law, and fully restored unto the Divine favour. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the doctrine of justification/2 its meaning.htm

A vision of Judgement and Cleansing
... Obviously Satan sought to procure the withdrawal of divine favour from Joshua, because
of his sin; that is, to depose the nation from its place as the covenant ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/a vision of judgement and.htm

Union and Communion with God the End and Design of the Gospel
... Now then, there can no beams of divine favour and love break through directly towards
us, because of the cloud of our sins, that separates between God and us ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture ii union and communion.htm

Christ Rightly and Properly Said to have Merited Grace and ...
... Christ, by his obedience, even to the death of the cross (which was the price
of our redemption), merited divine favour for us, sec.3-5. III. ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 17 christ rightly and.htm

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