About Hesed

The Hebrew word hesed means “voluntary mercy, kindness, lovingkindness, covenant faithfulness, loyalty, and favor.” The theologian John Oswalt said hesedis “… a completely undeserved kindness and generosity.” It conveys the idea of love that is undying, undeserved, and covenantal. It is God’s character, but it is also what God expects of us. That’s the covenantal aspect. It is part of the righteousness of God that He wants to clothe us with, like a coat or a mantle. I find it interesting that the Hebrew meaning includes the aspect of voluntary love. God, in His infinite mercy, always respects our free will and allows us to make a decision to love Him, to turn to Him, and to know Him…or not. In His infinite patience toward us, as a Father toward His children, He awaits our awakening. In the meantime, His love is full of favor. It is an action—a desire to protect us, to favor us, to grow us. God always wants the best for us. 

For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but My kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has mercy on you. 

Isaiah 54:10

As we see all the favors that God showers us with every day—the big and the small—our hearts will overflow with His hesed!

Hesed is not just a feeling. From Hosea, we see that hesed is a decision, a commitment to love, a promise. When God says: “come to me and repent,” He is committed. He will not forsake us. He will not change His disposition toward us. We are never too far gone to come back to our loving Father.

I will betroth you to Me forever; yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and justice, in lovingkindness and mercy; I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness, and you shall know the Lord.

Hosea 2:19-20

This is a love letter from our Father in Heaven to each of us; it is a proposal of marriage. He wants us to be His bride. Are we ready to say yes?  

Excerpt from Because He Loves Us, get the book here