Zechariah and Favor By David Harwood
Shalom,
Zechariah and Favor
By David Harwood
I’ve been looking forward to considering chen/charis in Zechariah. There are two clear instances of the use of chen/charis therein, and one ambiguous one.
This is the first reference.
Then (the angel who was speaking to me) responded to me by saying, ‘This is the word of Adonai to Zerubbabel saying: “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Ruach!” says Adonai-Tzva’ot. “What are you, great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain. He will bring out the capstone with shouts of “Grace, grace” to it.’ ” (Zechariah 4:6–7)
Shouts of, “Grace! Grace!” “Chen! Chen!” “Charis! Charis!”
Does that mean, “Unmerited Favor! Unmerited Favor!”? Does it mean, “Capstone, there’s no reason to celebrate you, but grace to you anyway! Grace to you anyway!”
The context is the divinely ordained necessity to restore the House of the Lord. However, to do so the builders must overcome a mountain of difficulty. It seemed to be humanly impossible because it was. Those involved in the restoration of the Temple needed divine help and it was promised. They would overcome the obstacles before them, not by might, not by merely human endeavors, but by God’s Spirit.
The same principle can be seen in our eternal salvation.
For by grace (charis/favor) you have been saved through faith. And this is not from yourselves—it is the gift of God. It is not based on deeds, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8–9)
If we were to seek to be reconciled to God through our own efforts, we would be doomed to disappointment. There is more than a mountain of difficulties to overcome. It is more like a mountain range. It cannot be done. Those who reject the saving-favor (grace) lovingly offered through the Good News will inevitably be frustrated in their goal to get right with God through good works.
Back to Zechariah’s oracle.
There are some tasks which, although begun with zeal, encounter problems and stall out. Determination can yield to discouragement.
At such a time a legitimate, timely, anointed prophetic word can stir up the waning strength of the once envisioned. The strength and power of human laborers may fail. When plans don’t immediately pan out, people can get petered out. Yet, God was the one who ordained this task. He promised to look with favor on those obedient enough to undertake it. It would be done. He would see it through.
The capstone is the final stone that completes the construction. The word of the Lord foretold that it would be set in place by the same people who laid the foundation by the enabling favor of God. However, they would have to trust the word of the prophets more than their own eyes. God loves it when people rely upon His word. It stirs Him to favor those who trust and He enables them to obediently fulfill their ordained task.
Remember, I mentioned that there is an ambiguous use of chen/charis in Zechariah. Let’s look at it. Here’s the Tree of Life version of Zechariah 6:14:
The crowns will be in the Temple of Adonai as a memorial to Helem, Tobijah and Jedaiah, and to Chen (Charis) son of Zephaniah. (Zechariah 6:14 TLV)
Here’s the rendering of that verse in the Septuagint.
The crown will be for the ones remaining and its useful ones and for the ones acknowledging it. And it will be for credit (charis) for the son of Zephaniah and for a song of praise in the house of the Lord. (Zechariah 6:14 LES)
“Chen” is generally viewed as the name of Zephaniah’s son. However, the Septuagint saw chen as the reward of a crown for an anonymous son of Zephaniah. I’d like to take a look at this.
First of all, “Favor/Grace” is a great name. But what would chen/charis signify if it was not a name but an award? Simply this: the aforementioned crown is a manifestation of God’s favor (chen/charis).
I believe this is a valid spiritual principle: Legitimate God-given authority (or in the case of an athletic competition, victory) is a manifestation of Divine favor/grace. What I take away from this is to honor such authority as not only being from God, but from God as a revelation of favor.
Recognize that chen/charis in your own life.
Recognize it in the lives of others.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Sat21-June-2025 25th of Sivan, 5785 Parashat Sh’lach
Nu 15:27-41Jos 2Heb 3:7-4:13
Zechariah and Favor
By David Harwood
I’ve been looking forward to considering chen/charis in Zechariah. There are two clear instances of the use of chen/charis therein, and one ambiguous one.
This is the first reference.
Then (the angel who was speaking to me) responded to me by saying, ‘This is the word of Adonai to Zerubbabel saying: “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Ruach!” says Adonai-Tzva’ot. “What are you, great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain. He will bring out the capstone with shouts of “Grace, grace” to it.’ ” (Zechariah 4:6–7)
Shouts of, “Grace! Grace!” “Chen! Chen!” “Charis! Charis!”
Does that mean, “Unmerited Favor! Unmerited Favor!”? Does it mean, “Capstone, there’s no reason to celebrate you, but grace to you anyway! Grace to you anyway!”
The context is the divinely ordained necessity to restore the House of the Lord. However, to do so the builders must overcome a mountain of difficulty. It seemed to be humanly impossible because it was. Those involved in the restoration of the Temple needed divine help and it was promised. They would overcome the obstacles before them, not by might, not by merely human endeavors, but by God’s Spirit.
The same principle can be seen in our eternal salvation.
For by grace (charis/favor) you have been saved through faith. And this is not from yourselves—it is the gift of God. It is not based on deeds, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8–9)
If we were to seek to be reconciled to God through our own efforts, we would be doomed to disappointment. There is more than a mountain of difficulties to overcome. It is more like a mountain range. It cannot be done. Those who reject the saving-favor (grace) lovingly offered through the Good News will inevitably be frustrated in their goal to get right with God through good works.
Back to Zechariah’s oracle.
There are some tasks which, although begun with zeal, encounter problems and stall out. Determination can yield to discouragement.
At such a time a legitimate, timely, anointed prophetic word can stir up the waning strength of the once envisioned. The strength and power of human laborers may fail. When plans don’t immediately pan out, people can get petered out. Yet, God was the one who ordained this task. He promised to look with favor on those obedient enough to undertake it. It would be done. He would see it through.
The capstone is the final stone that completes the construction. The word of the Lord foretold that it would be set in place by the same people who laid the foundation by the enabling favor of God. However, they would have to trust the word of the prophets more than their own eyes. God loves it when people rely upon His word. It stirs Him to favor those who trust and He enables them to obediently fulfill their ordained task.
Remember, I mentioned that there is an ambiguous use of chen/charis in Zechariah. Let’s look at it. Here’s the Tree of Life version of Zechariah 6:14:
The crowns will be in the Temple of Adonai as a memorial to Helem, Tobijah and Jedaiah, and to Chen (Charis) son of Zephaniah. (Zechariah 6:14 TLV)
Here’s the rendering of that verse in the Septuagint.
The crown will be for the ones remaining and its useful ones and for the ones acknowledging it. And it will be for credit (charis) for the son of Zephaniah and for a song of praise in the house of the Lord. (Zechariah 6:14 LES)
“Chen” is generally viewed as the name of Zephaniah’s son. However, the Septuagint saw chen as the reward of a crown for an anonymous son of Zephaniah. I’d like to take a look at this.
First of all, “Favor/Grace” is a great name. But what would chen/charis signify if it was not a name but an award? Simply this: the aforementioned crown is a manifestation of God’s favor (chen/charis).
I believe this is a valid spiritual principle: Legitimate God-given authority (or in the case of an athletic competition, victory) is a manifestation of Divine favor/grace. What I take away from this is to honor such authority as not only being from God, but from God as a revelation of favor.
Recognize that chen/charis in your own life.
Recognize it in the lives of others.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Sat21-June-2025 25th of Sivan, 5785 Parashat Sh’lach
Nu 15:27-41Jos 2Heb 3:7-4:13
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