RR Felix, Festus, and Favors By David Harwood

Shabbat Shalom,

The remaining three times charis is translated as favor in Luke’s writings exemplify doing favors for purely political purposes. Favors to ingratiate. Charis as bribes.

We begin.

But after two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and wishing to do the Judean leaders a favor (charis), Felix left Paul in prison. (Acts 24:27)

Under Felix, the prior procurator, Paul had been unjustly imprisoned for two years. Now there was a change of administrations. When there was a regime change it was not unusual for prisoners to have their cases reviewed. Paul may have hoped for a quick release, but “Felix left Paul in prison.” Why? To show favor to the Jerusalem authorities by doing them a favor (charis), something they would like when they saw it.

In the beginning of Festus’ administration, when his position was most insecure, he was pressured by Paul’s prosecutors.

There the ruling kohanim and the leading Judeans brought charges against Paul. They were urging (Festus), asking a favor (charis) —to have Paul sent to Jerusalem, planning an ambush to kill him on the road. (Acts 25:2–3)

Festus wanted to ingratiate himself. He was willing to hand Paul over to gain their favor and have Paul tried before his persecutors.

But Festus, wanting to do the Jewish leaders a favor (charis), said to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem to be tried before me?” (Acts 25:9)

Paul, the Roman citizen, refused and appealed to Caesar. Festus had to honor that.

Felix and Festus sought to find favor by doing Paul’s persecutors favors (charis). The patricians valued a positive relationship with the powerful Jerusalem authorities. They wanted favor in their eyes. These Roman governors wanted the ruling priests and leading Judeans to view them favorably. Felix and Festus were willing to do favors, perverting justice, to find favor. After all...

Everyone is a friend to a giver of gifts. (Proverbs 19:6b)

These procurators were purchasing favor. “I want a smooth administration. I want your political support, so I’ll do you a favor.” It’s similar to a bribe. We are warned:

Take no bribe, for a bribe blinds those who have sight, and perverts the words of the righteous. (Exodus 23:8)

We see the same thing in our day. How many positions have been purchased with campaign cash? This practice of finding favor through financially supporting candidates doesn’t even raise an eyebrow nowadays – if it ever did. It’s business as usual.

Doing favors for powerful people to gain some sort of advantage seems to be a universal practice.

Why?

It is effective.

A man’s gift makes room for him, and leads him before great men. (Proverbs 18:16)

Now, suppose we’re offered advances in our careers, or an increase in popularity, or some other benefit, if only we compromise our principles? May it be that we would, perhaps a bit more tactfully than Daniel, refuse to accept them.

Daniel answered the king saying, “You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else.” (Daniel 5:17a)

Oh, I wouldn’t want to forget Peter’s retort to Simon’s bribe.

Now when Simon saw that the Ruach ha-Kodesh was given through the laying on of hands by the emissaries, he offered them money, saying, “Give this power to me, too—so that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Ruach ha-Kodesh.”

Peter said to him, “May your silver go to ruin, and you with it—because you thought you could buy God’s gift with money!” (Acts 8:18–20)

Felix and Festus sought favor at the expense of righteousness. They sought favor by doing a charis.

May we hold such activities in contempt and pray for those who have been seduced by these practices.

Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Sat9-Aug 202515th of Av, 5785
Parashat Vaetchanan Shabbat Nachamu
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