29 Therefore, they would suffer death in the most aggravating and distressing manner which could be inflicted by their brethren, before they would take the sword or cimeter to smite them.
30 And thus they were a zealous and beloved people, a highly favored people of the Lord.
What he is saying here is that these people would suffer being tortured and still remain faithful to their promise to never take the lives of another person- even those who would take theirs and do so in the most painful manner imaginable. Is there not a type and a sign of Christ in these people? Surely it is so.
There’s that word again. A highly favored people of the Lord.
Webster on favored:
1. Countenanced; supported; aided; supplied with advantages; eased; spared.
2. adjective Regarded with kindness; as a favored friend.
They were supported, aided, and supplied with advantages that others were not because of their faithfulness. Not loved more, but certainly taken more joy in by our Father in Heaven, who also would like to take joy in his posterity— us!
Want to please God and be favored? Seek him zealously!
ZEALOUSLY, adverb Zelusly. With passionate ardor; with eagerness.
It is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing. Galatians 4:17.
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