Topics

Caleb: Brings Favorable Report Numbers 13:26–30

and they went back to Moses, Aaron, and the whole congregation of Israel in the Wilderness of Paran at Kadesh. They brought back a report for the whole congregation and showed them the fruit of the land. / And they gave this account to Moses: “We went into the land to which you sent us, and indeed, it is flowing with milk and honey. Here is some of its fruit! / Nevertheless, the people living in the land are strong, and the cities are large and fortified. We even saw the descendants of Anak there.

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Caleb: Brings Favorable Report Numbers 14:6–9

Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes / and said to the whole congregation of Israel, “The land we passed through and explored is an exceedingly good land. / If the LORD delights in us, He will bring us into this land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and He will give it to us.

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Church and State: State Favorable to Religion: Cyrus, in his Proclamation to Restore the Temple at Jerusalem 2 Chronicles 36:22, 23

In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah, the LORD stirred the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to send a proclamation throughout his kingdom and to put it in writing as follows: / “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: ‘The LORD, the God of heaven, who has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, has appointed me to build a house for Him at Jerusalem in Judah. Whoever among you belongs to His people, may the LORD his God be with him, and may he go up.’”

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Church and State: State Favorable to Religion: Cyrus, in his Proclamation to Restore the Temple at Jerusalem Ezra 1:1–11

In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah, the LORD stirred the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to send a proclamation throughout his kingdom and to put it in writing as follows: / “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: ‘The LORD, the God of heaven, who has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, has appointed me to build a house for Him at Jerusalem in Judah. / Whoever among you belongs to His people, may his God be with him, and may he go to Jerusalem in Judah and build the house of the LORD, the God of Israel; He is the God who is in Jerusalem.

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Church and State: State Favorable to Religion: Darius, in his Edict Furthering the Restoration of the Temple Ezra 6:1–14

Thus King Darius ordered a search of the archives stored in the treasury of Babylon. / And a scroll was found in the fortress of Ecbatana, in the province of Media, with the following written on it: Memorandum: / In the first year of King Cyrus, he issued a decree concerning the house of God in Jerusalem: Let the house be rebuilt as a place for offering sacrifices, and let its foundations be firmly laid. It is to be sixty cubits high and sixty cubits wide,

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David: King of Israel: Mephibosheth Begs for the King's Favor 2 Samuel 19:24–30

Then Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, went down to meet the king. He had not cared for his feet or trimmed his mustache or washed his clothes from the day the king had left until the day he returned safely. / And he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, who asked him, “Mephibosheth, why did you not go with me?” / “My lord the king,” he replied, “because I am lame, I said, ‘I will have my donkey saddled so that I may ride on it and go with the king.’ But my servant Ziba deceived me,

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Diligence in Temporal Matters Leads to Favor Proverbs 11:27

He who searches out good finds favor, but evil will come to him who seeks it.

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Diplomacy: The People of Tyre and Sidon, in Securing the Favor of Herod (Agrippa I) Acts 12:20–22

Now Herod was in a furious dispute with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they convened before him. Having secured the support of Blastus, the king’s chamberlain, they asked for peace, because their region depended on the king’s country for food. / On the appointed day, Herod donned his royal robes, sat on his throne, and addressed the people. / And they began to shout, “This is the voice of a god, not a man!”

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Eating: Favored Guests Served a Double Portion Genesis 43:34

When the portions were served to them from Joseph’s table, Benjamin’s portion was five times larger than any of the others. So they feasted and drank freely with Joseph.

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Favor Psalm 5:12

For surely You, O LORD, bless the righteous; You surround them with the shield of Your favor.

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Favor Psalm 90:17

May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish for us the work of our hands—yes, establish the work of our hands!

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Favor Psalm 84:11

For the LORD God is a sun and a shield; the LORD gives grace and glory; He withholds no good thing from those who walk with integrity.

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Favor Psalm 30:5

For His anger is fleeting, but His favor lasts a lifetime. Weeping may stay the night, but joy comes in the morning.

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Favor Genesis 6:8

Noah, however, found favor in the eyes of the LORD.

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Favor Ephesians 1:11

In Him we were also chosen as God’s own, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will,

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Favor Luke 2:52

And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

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Favor Isaiah 58:11

The LORD will always guide you; He will satisfy you in a sun-scorched land and strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.

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Favor Proverbs 18:22

He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.

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Favor Psalm 102:13

You will rise up and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show her favor—the appointed time has come.

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Favoritism: Elkanah, for Hannah 1 Samuel 1:4, 5

And whenever the day came for Elkanah to present his sacrifice, he would give portions to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters. / But to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved her even though the LORD had closed her womb.

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Favoritism: Forbidden in Parents Deuteronomy 21:15–17

If a man has two wives, one beloved and the other unloved, and both bear him sons, but the unloved wife has the firstborn son, / when that man assigns his inheritance to his sons he must not appoint the son of the beloved wife as the firstborn over the son of the unloved wife. / Instead, he must acknowledge the firstborn, the son of his unloved wife, by giving him a double portion of all that he has. For that son is the firstfruits of his father’s strength; the right of the firstborn belongs to him.

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Favoritism: Jacob, for Joseph Genesis 37:3, 4

Now Israel loved Joseph more than his other sons, because Joseph had been born to him in his old age; so he made him a robe of many colors. / When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.

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Favoritism: Jacob, for Rachel Genesis 29:30, 34

Jacob slept with Rachel as well, and indeed, he loved Rachel more than Leah. So he worked for Laban another seven years. / Once again Leah conceived and gave birth to a son, and she said, “Now at last my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” So he was named Levi.

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Favoritism: Joseph, for Benjamin Genesis 43:34

When the portions were served to them from Joseph’s table, Benjamin’s portion was five times larger than any of the others. So they feasted and drank freely with Joseph.

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Favoritism: Rebekah, for Jacob Genesis 27:6–17

Rebekah said to her son Jacob, “Behold, I overheard your father saying to your brother Esau, / ‘Bring me some game and prepare me a tasty dish to eat, so that I may bless you in the presence of the LORD before I die.’ / Now, my son, listen to my voice and do exactly as I tell you.

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God in Turning the Heart of the King of Assyria to Favor the Jews Ezra 6:22

For seven days they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread with joy, because the LORD had made them joyful and turned the heart of the king of Assyria toward them to strengthen their hands in the work on the house of the God of Israel.

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James: An Apostle: Addresses the Gathering at Jerusalem in Favor of Liberty for the Gentile Converts Acts 15:13–21

When they had finished speaking, James declared, “Brothers, listen to me! / Simon has told us how God first visited the Gentiles to take from them a people to be His own. / The words of the prophets agree with this, as it is written:

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Joseph: Son of Jacob: His Father's Favorite Child Genesis 33:2

He put the maidservants and their children in front, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph at the rear.

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Joseph: Son of Jacob: His Father's Favorite Child Genesis 37:3, 4, 35

Now Israel loved Joseph more than his other sons, because Joseph had been born to him in his old age; so he made him a robe of many colors. / When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him. / All his sons and daughters tried to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. “No,” he said. “I will go down to Sheol mourning for my son.” So his father wept for him.

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Joseph: Son of Jacob: His Father's Favorite Child Genesis 48:22

And to you, as one who is above your brothers, I give the ridge of land that I took from the Amorites with my sword and bow.”

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Joseph: Son of Jacob: His Father's Favorite Child 1 Chronicles 5:2

And though Judah prevailed over his brothers and a ruler came from him, the birthright belonged to Joseph.

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Joseph: Son of Jacob: His Father's Favorite Child John 4:5

So He came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph.

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Joshua: Also Called Jehoshua, and Jehoshuah, and Oshea: Makes a Favorable Report Numbers 14:6–10

Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes / and said to the whole congregation of Israel, “The land we passed through and explored is an exceedingly good land. / If the LORD delights in us, He will bring us into this land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and He will give it to us.

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Joshua: His Life Miraculously Preserved when he Made a Favorable Report About the Land Numbers 14:10

But the whole congregation threatened to stone Joshua and Caleb. Then the glory of the LORD appeared to all the Israelites at the Tent of Meeting.

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Marriage: Presents Given to Parents to Secure Their Favor Genesis 24:53

Then he brought out jewels of silver and gold, and articles of clothing, and he gave them to Rebekah. He also gave precious gifts to her brother and her mother.

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Marriage: Presents Given to Parents to Secure Their Favor Genesis 34:12

Demand a high dowry and an expensive gift, and I will give you whatever you ask. Only give me the girl as my wife!”

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Marriage: Presents Given to Parents to Secure Their Favor Deuteronomy 22:29

then the man who lay with her must pay the young woman’s father fifty shekels of silver, and she must become his wife because he has violated her. He must not divorce her as long as he lives.

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Marriage: Presents Given to Parents to Secure Their Favor 1 Samuel 18:25

Saul replied, “Say to David, ‘The king desires no other dowry but a hundred Philistine foreskins as revenge on his enemies.’” But Saul intended to cause David’s death at the hands of the Philistines.

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Marriage: Presents Given to Parents to Secure Their Favor Hosea 3:2

So I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and a homer and a lethech of barley.

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Politics: Women in Mother of Zebedee's Children, in Seeking Favor for Her Sons Matthew 20:20–23

Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and knelt down to make a request of Him. / “What do you want?” He inquired. She answered, “Declare that in Your kingdom one of these two sons of mine may sit at Your right hand, and the other at Your left.” / “You do not know what you are asking,” Jesus replied. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” “We can,” the brothers answered.

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Polygamy: The Evil Effects of Husband's Favoritism In Deuteronomy 21:15–17

If a man has two wives, one beloved and the other unloved, and both bear him sons, but the unloved wife has the firstborn son, / when that man assigns his inheritance to his sons he must not appoint the son of the beloved wife as the firstborn over the son of the unloved wife. / Instead, he must acknowledge the firstborn, the son of his unloved wife, by giving him a double portion of all that he has. For that son is the firstfruits of his father’s strength; the right of the firstborn belongs to him.

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Prayer: Answered for God's Favor Under the Reproofs of Azariah 2 Chronicles 15:1–15

Now the Spirit of God came upon Azariah son of Oded. / So he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you when you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you. / For many years Israel has been without the true God, without a priest to instruct them, and without the law.

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Prophecies Concerning Israel: Gedaliah's Adminstration Was Favorable to the People 2 Kings 25:23, 24

When all the commanders of the armies and their men heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah as governor, they came to Gedaliah at Mizpah—Ishmael son of Nethaniah, Johanan son of Kareah, Seraiah son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah son of the Maacathite, as well as their men. / And Gedaliah took an oath before them and their men, assuring them, “Do not be afraid of the servants of the Chaldeans. Live in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it will be well with you.”

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Prophecies Concerning Israel: Gedaliah's Adminstration Was Favorable to the People Jeremiah 40:7–12

When all the commanders and men of the armies in the field heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam over the land and that he had put him in charge of the men, women, and children who were the poorest of the land and had not been exiled to Babylon, / they came to Gedaliah at Mizpah—Ishmael son of Nethaniah, Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah, Seraiah son of Tanhumeth, the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jezaniah son of the Maacathite—they and their men. / Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, swore an oath to them and their men, assuring them, “Do not be afraid to serve the Chaldeans. Live in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it will go well with you.

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Rain: North Wind Unfavorable To Proverbs 25:23

As the north wind brings forth rain, so a backbiting tongue brings angry looks.

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Repentance: Condition of God's Favor Leviticus 26:40–42

But if they will confess their iniquity and that of their fathers in the unfaithfulness that they practiced against Me, by which they have also walked in hostility toward Me— / and I acted with hostility toward them and brought them into the land of their enemies—and if their uncircumcised hearts will be humbled and they will make amends for their iniquity, / then I will remember My covenant with Jacob and My covenant with Isaac and My covenant with Abraham, and I will remember the land.

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Repentance: Condition of God's Favor 2 Chronicles 7:14

and 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.

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Scepter : A Wand Used by Kings to Signify Favor or Disfavor to Those Who Desired an Audience with Them Esther 5:2

As soon as the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she found favor in his sight. The king extended the gold scepter in his hand toward Esther, and she approached and touched the tip of the scepter.

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Scepter : A Wand Used by Kings to Signify Favor or Disfavor to Those Who Desired an Audience with Them Esther 8:4

The king extended the gold scepter toward Esther, and she arose and stood before the king.

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Temple: The Second: Artaxerxes' Favorable Action Toward Ezra 7:11–28

This is the text of the letter King Artaxerxes had given to Ezra the priest and scribe, an expert in the commandments and statutes of the LORD to Israel: / Artaxerxes, king of kings. To Ezra the priest, the scribe of the Law of the God of heaven: Greetings. / I hereby decree that any volunteers among the Israelites in my kingdom, including the priests and Levites, may go up with you to Jerusalem.

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Temple: The Second: Artaxerxes' Favorable Action Toward Ezra 8:25–34

and I weighed out to them the contribution of silver and gold and the articles that the king, his counselors, his leaders, and all the Israelites there had offered for the house of our God. / I weighed out into their hands 650 talents of silver, articles of silver weighing 100 talents, 100 talents of gold, / 20 gold bowls valued at 1,000 darics, and two articles of fine polished bronze, as precious as gold.

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