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“Surely goodness and hesed shall follow me all the days of my life.”
Psalm 23:6
INTRODUCTION
There are at least four different Hebrew words for love. One of them happens to be hesed. Hesed is a complex word to portray. It is more than just mere love. It is unconditional and unfailing love, pure and selfless. Rather than a mere expression of love, it is rooted in action as the Samaritan showcased for the injured man.
WHAT IS HESED?
Love. A word so hard to express yet required for all to feel and hear. As humans, we all crave companionship and need love. What a dark place the world would be without it.
The word Hesed is hard to translate. The English translation of love does not encompass its depth. Yet the Bible tries to portray the true meaning behind it. Some translations are steadfast love, lovingkindness, mercy, kindness, and goodness.
According to Lois Tverberg Hesed is not just a feeling, but an action. It “intervenes on behalf of loved ones and comes to their rescue”. (2)
It describes an undeserved kindness and generosity per theologian John Oswalt. (2)
It is a faithful, reliable, and loyal type of love. One put to action. And to understand it more completely we need not look further from the unfailing love God has for us all.
“Hesed is never merely an abstract feeling of goodwill, but always entails practical action on behalf of another”, describes author and biblical scholar Dr. Will Kynes.
WHAT DOES IT ALL ENCOMPASS?
Hesed as complex of a term as it is encompasses different concepts:
covenantal loyalty, that is faithfulness and loyalty within the concept of a covenant
compassion and mercy towards the needy and poor
unconditional love, as in a generous and selfless love that persists in spite of circumstances
social justice; a call to act justly and compassionately in the context of social relationships and community ethics. (3)
To go further it is a love that is to be given out once it has been received and it is relational and cannot exist outside of the community. (4)
BIBLICAL EXAMPLES OF HESED
There are several examples of Hesed love recorded in the Bible. Among them are the self-sacrificing love of Ruth towards Naomi. (5)
Then there is the Hesed love of Rahab towards the spies. The Love of Jonathan towards David was also Hesed. The complete devotion to a future king who was destined for greatness. (5)
But the example I wanted to point out the most today was the love of the Samaritan for the injured man, who was robbed and beaten in the parable Yeshua shared.
Imagine yourself lying there in pain on the floor after being unrighteously robbed and beaten. And the pharisee and priest choose to walk right by thee because you are unworthy to bother with in their opinion.
Oh, I wonder how many times I did the same? ‘Where is the love?’, questions us all - in my opinion - one of the best songs of Black Eyed Peace.
While this story was only an illustration, my heart could not help but feel relief and joy when it turned out positive after all.
A Samaritan came along and stopped his daily chores to help the man. He not only bandaged his wounds but went above and beyond to ensure the man would have the best option to rest, heal, and be out of danger by providing him with loggings. He showed the man the true meaning of Hesed.
HESED IS THE CHRIST WAY
Yeshua gave us that parable to remind us each day of the kind of love He has called us to walk in. A self-sacrificing love. He did say that there is no greater love than when one lays down their life for a brother.
Hesed is a love stepped into action. We are to show lovingkindness to others by meeting their needs. By delivering them, by breaking heavy yokes off of them, or by helping them to the best of our abilities.
After all in James 2: 15-16 the Word says, “Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you tells him, “Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that?”
We are called to love each other not merely in words but also in action. Let us not forget that. Ultimately though let us not forget where that hesed is flowing from. The source of all - God. Stay connected to the vine and His hesed love and we will be able to love others better too.
CONCLUSION
Hesed is a deep form of love. The kind of love that is steeped in action and practical expression. The word is translated as steadfast love, lovingkindness, mercy, kindness, and goodness. It is considered as the unfailing, loyal, reliable type of love that never fades. The kind of love our Abba pours upon us each day.
There are several examples of hesed love in the Bible, among them Ruth’s love for Naomi, Jonathan’s love toward David, and Rahab’s love shown in her decision to hide the Hebrew spies.
The best example was given by none other than Yeshua in His parable about the Samaritan's love for the man who was robbed and injured and in His ultimate sacrifice for us all.
As His disciples, this is the kind of love we are to portray each day. Towards the unbelievers, pre-believers, and each other. To do us, we need to remain connected to the Vine and source of all - God.
Application
Abba we come to you today and ask you to pour upon us a fresh outpouring of your hesed love. Show us what that hesed love feels like this upcoming week.
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SOURCES
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Avital Snow. The Meaning of Hesed: Hebrew Word for Love. Fellowship of Israel Related Ministries. May 27, 2021. Available at https://firmisrael.org/learn/the-meaning-of-hesed-hebrew-for-love/
Assistant. What is the real meaning of the Hebrew word 'hesed' in the Bible? Available at https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-real-meaning-of-the-Hebrew-word-hesed-in-the-Bible
Cheryl Durham. What is the real meaning of the Hebrew word 'hesed' in the Bible? Available at https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-real-meaning-of-the-Hebrew-word-hesed-in-the-Bible
The Holy Huddle. Hesed in Psalms. December 18, 2015. Available at https://www.pas.rochester.edu/~tim/study/Hesed%20v4.pdf
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