Welcome to Hank’s Place –
The translators of the King James Bible came across a Hebrew word that did not have a ready equivalent in the English. It was “Hesed.” The translators created a new word in the English: “lovingkindness.”
Unger’s Bible Dictionary simple defines this when in the context of God toward men as “goodness, mercy, and grace.” But as we read of its 182 occurrences in the Scripture, we find much much more. It could take several lifetimes and we would still not be able to wrap our heads fully around the greatness, magnificence of hesed!
Hesed indicates exceptional favor from God. Something that has not been earned but graciously given. The singer and writer Michael Card has done an extensive study on hesed, and defines it this way: lovingkindness is when the one from whom you have to right to expect nothing, who owes you nothing – chooses instead to give you everything.
When we are speaking of God and His hesed, it may be best expressed as the New Covenant. God making us new creations, righteous, accepted, approved in every way. All the old paid for in full and taken away. And, and this is something I marvel at, He has chosen even to give us – Himself. To share Himself with us. God in us. Col 1:27.
Think about this – not only is there no longer any separation between God and man; He shares Himself with us. He has graciously opened the door of His life to us, and the word on His lips is Hesed.
Even though we have no right to expect anything from Him, He is pleased to give us everything. He is pleased to open His heart and His life to us. Why? Because he is the god of Hesed.
He will never leave us or forsake us. He will comfort us. He will provide for us. He gives us eternal life – with Him – and Him in us, for His lovingkindness is everlasting (Ps 136).
O my dear friend, give thanks to the Lord – and COME ALIVE!
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