Hesed: The Unbreakable Covenant Love

"To know that God knows everything about me and yet loves me is indeed my ultimate consolation."  - R.C. Sproul,  American Reformed theologian and Christian apologist (1939-2017)

Key Scripture: Deuteronomy 7:9 (ESV)

In our world, "love" is frequently used for superficial preferences or fleeting romances. Conversely, the Bible describes God's love as an unconditional, selfless, and eternal commitment. To put it simply, it is more than just "love".

The Old Testament describes a foundational characteristic of God using the Hebrew term hesed (חֶסֶד), a multifaceted word frequently rendered in English translations as “lovingkindness,” “steadfast love,” “loyal love,” or “covenant loyalty".

Thus, hesed (pronounced: kheh'-sed) is a profound, steadfast love rooted in a covenantal bond. Transcending mere duty or feeling, it is a persistent, action-based commitment that remains unwavering even when it is not reciprocated. 

This is a perfect time to examine the nature of a covenant. Unlike a contract, which is a conditional agreement ("I’ll do my part if you do yours"), a covenant is an unconditional, personal commitment. It means being bound to someone and keeping your word regardless of circumstances. 

Key moments in the Bible reveal God keeping His covenantal promises: 

• Divine Initiative in Covenant: God is the sovereign initiator of every covenant, reaching out to humanity first throughout history—from Abraham and David to the ultimate New Covenant in Jesus. He establishes the relationship, seeking us before we seek Him. 
• The Covenant Promise: God has entered into a sacred, enduring agreement to be our God, establishing us as His own people. Within this covenant, He guarantees His unwavering protection, constant provision, and abiding presence. 
• Biblical Covenant Markers: Throughout history, God established visible signs to seal His covenants: the rainbow for Noah, circumcision for Abraham, the Sabbath for Israel, and Communion for the Church. These symbols serve as enduring, tangible reminders of His promises and faithfulness across generations. 

Human love can be unpredictable and quick to change, but God’s love is rock-solid and permanent. Even when people fail and break their promises to Him, God never stops being faithful because His love is based on who He is, not on what we do. (Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV; Isaiah 54:10 ESV)

Now it’s time to see some scriptural examples of hesed in action:

• The Hesed of Ruth: Choosing Loyalty Over Ease: Ruth exemplifies hesed (loyal love) by refusing to abandon her mother-in-law, choosing to stay by her side despite the ease of walking away (Ruth 1:16-17). 
• Hosea’s Call to Unconditional Love: God instructs the prophet Hosea to marry an unfaithful woman, Gomer, acting out a living parable of Israel's spiritual adultery. Despite this betrayal, Hosea’s pursuit of his wife mirrors God's relentless, redeeming love for humanity. 
• The Ultimate Expression of Hesed: The pinnacle of God’s covenant love was Jesus’ death on the cross. By taking upon Himself the penalty for our broken promises, He established the "New Covenant" and forever sealed His faithfulness to us. 

How can we embody hesed in our daily lives? Our covenant with God is meant to be displayed through loyal, sacrificial love for those around us. For instance,

• Love Without Limits: Covenant love is sacrificial, requiring us to love others when it is difficult and even when they do not deserve it.
• Reflecting God: “Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another,” (1 John 4:11). 
• Actionable Love: Hesed is not just a feeling; it is intervening on behalf of someone else—showing compassion, forgiveness, and loyalty.

Final Checkpoints:

• How does the biblical concept of hesed—a binding, covenantal loyalty—differ from the modern, emotional, and often conditional understanding of love?
• Reflect on Jeremiah 31:3. Why is it reassuring that God’s love stems from who He is, rather than what we do?
• How can I replace my frustration with a difficult person with intentional, merciful love?
• How does the sacrifice of Jesus (1 Corinthians 11:25) turn your relationship with God from a contract based on law into a covenant based on intimate, blood-sealed love? 

Closing Prayer: "  Lord, thank You for Your unwavering hesed that remains faithful even when I am not. Help me grasp the depth of Your covenant love, and empower me to reflect Your grace and loyalty in all my relationships. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you,

~Eve