On Grace.......... .......... (first little bit.......)

What is this wondrous, love-immersed ......... marvel........  called grace?

So often referred to as 'unmerited favor'........, a reference which seems so true in many sorts.........

However, in mine hearing, that has been challenged deeply........

So it is time to dive into a study of this reality......... of 'God's grace'........

Entering 'grace' into the concordance for the NAS......., the first entry to arise is in Ezra...... In the NAS, it is rendered......:

"But now for a brief moment grace has been shown from the Lord our God, to leave us an escaped remnant and to give us a peg in His holy place, that our God may enlighten our eyes and grant us a little reviving in our bondage."  Ezra 9:8

Before grappling, with my rough efforts, with what one might draw from the limited insights of Strong's....... Here are some cursory observations from Strong's about the terms in this verse from Ezra:

Now-(testifies--indwells) [is there some way in which time and testimony abide together? - lives?]

A return to rest after wandering..... A sudden twinkling movement (brief......) - [but expressed in a substantive form, expressing a firm, meaningful reality, a substantative, per grammarians, is......the object of a thought?.... which brings to mind questions from this non-grammarian mind of mine...........]

Comes

a yearning towards, a compassion, a supplication for favor..... an inclining towards.....
the I AM...
the divine rulers/judges......

And interesting here.............. 'an escaped remnant'......... seems more, (from Strong's anyway), to really be....... that God 'left to us an escape'.............. or, in this context.... is there an imploring for a little way of escape???? 

The Hebrew word which has been translated 'grace' here is 'techinnah' (supplication for favor)...... from the root 'chanaan' - to beseech..... or perhaps........ more......... show favor, be gracious.........  yearn towards........  long for..........  be merciful..........  compassionate..........  favourable...........  inclined towards............

........ and has given us three things:  a 'tent peg' (yated)..........  ....... and 'maqom' (a place....... a standing place....... a noun with a root verb meaning 'raised up, standing')....... ....... followed by another noun...... set apartness.... or sacredness (kodesh).........

A tent peg, a standing place, a sacredness (set apartness).......

Thus, perhaps.........:

Now: Lives.indwells/testifies (in the time of the One who was, who is, and who is to come)...:
A small.shining.tossing-to-return.to.rest

comes
a yearning towards, a compassion, a supplication for favor..... an inclining towards.....
the I AM...
the divine rulers/judges......

remains to us
a deliverance

gives to us (& sets for us)
---a tent peg
---a place
---a sacredness --- a set apartness

the divine rulers/judges
is light..... becomes light
eyes
gives/puts/sets 
---preservation of life, sustenance
making small
---our slavery/bondage

(brings to mind Paul's heart cry that the sufferings of this life are nothing compared with the glory that is to come.......)


.........................

"You are fairer than the sons of men; grace is poured upon your lips; Therefore God has blessed you forever."  Psalm 45:2

be bright - beautify - make perfect
the sons of men
Adam