The Love Study: Hesed
“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” 1 Chronicles 16:34, Psalm 107:1, Psalm 118:1, Psalm 136:1
“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23
Psalm 136 (ALL of it!)
The form of love used in the above scriptures specifically translates to the Hebrew word hesed. Much of the Old Testament speaks of God’s lovingkindness or steadfast love. This is the definition of hesed.
So how is this any different than Agape? Why does it matter that we should know any specifications with the word or idea of love? Because it mattered enough to God to make it scripture and I am convinced that the uniqueness of hesed is worth our attention.
“All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Agape holds an unconditional element to it and allows for a responsive nature. We, through Christ, are welcomed into Agape “power-love” which comes through a lens of grace and self-sacrifice on behalf of another. This is a glorious gift to believers who have entered into the new covenant with God through Jesus Christ!
Hesed is unique to agape in that it is more exclusive. When we read of hesed in the Bible, it is God-to-human love. This is God’s loyalty within His covenant. Hesed is love that comes from a place of mercy. Mercy is not something God needs and is certainly not something that I could ever offer to Him. I’ve long heard it put this way that mercy is when we don’t get the wrath we deserve and grace is getting the kindness that we don’t. God’s continual kindness, faithfulness and mercy shown to Israel (ahem.. me) despite their (cough.. my) constant rebellion is hesed love. Agape is Christ on the cross intervening for an undeserving people who could then be welcomed into a new covenant with the Lord. That beautiful display of Agape was fueled by Hesed.
To sum it up, hesed is God’s merciful kindness where agape is grace between God and mankind or believers (the Holy Spirit) toward humanity. Hesed is God’s one-way love directly to His people and His divine nature. It is love beyond what we can truly return to Him in our limited human ability. This is where we can only bow down in worship, thanksgiving and agape!