Biblical Answer

The Concept of Hesed in the Hebrew Bible

The concept of hesed in the Hebrew Bible refers to God's covenant faithfulness, loyalty, and mercy towards his people. Hesed is a word that sums up God's attitude towards his people, carrying the sense of being unwaveringly merciful, good, kind, and favorably disposed (Kleinig, p. 42). This concept is central to understanding God's relationship with Israel and is a key aspect of his covenant with them. In the Hebrew Bible, hesed is used to describe God's saving actions and his commitment to honour his covenant with Israel.

Demonstrating Hesed in Our Lives

The concept of hesed is not limited to God's actions towards his people, but also calls us to demonstrate hesed in our generation. In the book of Ruth, hesed is demonstrated by God and the human characters, showing that it is a two-way street. We are called to show hesed to others, particularly in our relationships with covenant partners, including ourselves. This means being loyal, faithful, and merciful towards others, just as God is towards us. In Psalm 89:8, the appeal to God's glory, demonstrated by his love and faithfulness, signals that this psalm is spoken in a moment of crisis. This highlights the importance of hesed in our lives, especially in times of trouble.

The Importance of Hesed in Our Relationship with God

The concept of hesed is crucial in our relationship with God. It reminds us that God is a God of covenant faithfulness, who saves his people with his right hand (Psalm 89:21). This is seen in the New Testament, where the blood of the covenant is mentioned in Hebrews 9:13 and Matthew 23:17,19. In Hebrews 10:12, the reference to hesed (great love) refers to the loyalty between covenant partners that manifests itself in saving action. This highlights the importance of hesed in our relationship with God, and calls us to respond with the refrain, giving praise to God for his covenant faithfulness. By understanding hesed, we can deepen our relationship with God and respond to his love and mercy towards us.