The LORD descended in the cloud and stood with him there and proclaimed the name of the LORD. The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation.” (Exodus 34:5-7)
Hesed. There is no word that truly summarizes the concept of hesed. However many Biblical words relate to it. Words such as mercy, compassion, love, grace, and faithfulness. Or in the case of Exodus 34...steadfast love. It is not just a feeling or emotion. It is an action and it is an action done on behalf of someone in need. 250 times this word can be found in the Old Testament. As God revealed His glory to Moses, He reveals that He is "abounding in" His hesed. In other words. Plenteous. Abundant. Great. God's hesed is great. This word is often used in His covenant with His people. In Exodus 20:6, we read something quite remarkable about God's hesed:
but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. (Exodus 20:6)
God's hesed is extended to those who love Him and keep His commandments. However, there is something else that stands out about God's hesed throughout the Old Testament and it is rooted in our understanding of "steadfast." God's covenant relationship with His people results in His loyal love and faithfulness, even when His own people are unfaithful to Him. So how could we best describe "hesed?" One of the best definitions I have ever read describes it this way:
Hesed is God's consistent, ever-faithful, relentless, constantly-pursuing, lavish, extravagant, unrestrained furious love of our Father God. It is the quality that moves someone to act for the benefit of someone else without considering "What's in it for me?"
As we continue our journey in exploring the glory of God, you cannot separate it from God's hesed. For when Moses had requested that God show His glory...God showed His hesed.
His Glory Forever I'll Share (pt. 4)
The LORD descended in the cloud and stood with him there and proclaimed the name of the LORD. The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation.” (Exodus 34:5-7)
Hesed. There is no word that truly summarizes the concept of hesed. However many Biblical words relate to it. Words such as mercy, compassion, love, grace, and faithfulness. Or in the case of Exodus 34...steadfast love. It is not just a feeling or emotion. It is an action and it is an action done on behalf of someone in need. 250 times this word can be found in the Old Testament. As God revealed His glory to Moses, He reveals that He is "abounding in" His hesed. In other words. Plenteous. Abundant. Great. God's hesed is great. This word is often used in His covenant with His people. In Exodus 20:6, we read something quite remarkable about God's hesed:
but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. (Exodus 20:6)
God's hesed is extended to those who love Him and keep His commandments. However, there is something else that stands out about God's hesed throughout the Old Testament and it is rooted in our understanding of "steadfast." God's covenant relationship with His people results in His loyal love and faithfulness, even when His own people are unfaithful to Him. So how could we best describe "hesed?" One of the best definitions I have ever read describes it this way:
Hesed is God's consistent, ever-faithful, relentless, constantly-pursuing, lavish, extravagant, unrestrained furious love of our Father God. It is the quality that moves someone to act for the benefit of someone else without considering "What's in it for me?"
As we continue our journey in exploring the glory of God, you cannot separate it from God's hesed. For when Moses had requested that God show His glory...God showed His hesed.