The word Chesed in Hebrew cannot be accurately translated in to English with just one word. It is often translated into mercy but it’s more than mercy in the way we know it. It would take multiple English words to describe the nuances of this word “Chesed”. Let’s begin with a few – steadfast love, mercy, kindness, favor and goodness. One of my favorites that you see in the book of Psalms is lovingkindness. Essentially, Chesed is a Hebrew word for love. Not the only word though. Chesed is not a selfish love but the kind of love that waits for the promise, never gives up, pursues, and is faithful in covenant.
God’s Chesed Towards His People
“They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles you performed among them. They became stiff-necked and in their rebellion appointed a leader in order to return to their slavery. But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love [chesed]. Therefore, you did not desert them,” (Nehemiah 9:17)
Chesed is a fitting word in Hebrew to describe God’s covenant love for his people Israel. Norman H. Snaith calls it “God’s steady persistent refusal to wash His hands of wayward Israel.” We can gather that it’s not because of ancient Israel’s faithfulness to the Lord that He shows His Chesed. Israel’s rebellious history in refusing and walking away from covenant with God deserves judgement, but God’s response throughout scripture and even until today completely reveals that He is faithful and steadfast in his covenant with Israel. It is in spite of her waywardness and unfaithfulness, He shows His covenant faithfulness and love. It’s in His covenant nature towards Israel and so to us as well. He WILL NOT give up on Israel and we can take heart in that for ourselves in our own rebellion at times.
Here are a few more verses that portray Chesed in scripture.
“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love [chesed] for you will not be shaken.” (Isaiah 54:10)
“No one is cast off by the Lord forever. Though He brings grief, He will show compassion, so great is His unfailing love [chesed].” (Lamentations 3:31–32)
“who has not abandoned His kindness [chesed] and faithfulness to my master.” – Genesis 24:27
Chesed In Covenant Friendship
The unique story of Naomi and Ruth is a perfect example of Chesed in action. Naomi was living in the foreign land of Moab and had lost her husband and two sons. She is left with her two daughters in law, Orpah and Ruth. Her situation was without hope and she makes a decision to return to her homeland of Judea. Naomi advises her daughters who had no children to stay in Moab and find husbands again who will take care of them according their customs. “Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, ‘Go back, each of you, to your mother’s home. May the LORD show you kindness, as you have shown kindness [chesed] to your dead husbands and to me.’” (Ruth 1:8) Orpah decides to stay in Moab but Naomi refuses. She goes on to say, “Do not urge me to leave you or return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.” Ruth 1:16
Ruth’s declaration displayed the kind of love that comes through covenant. She makes a commitment to Naomi even taking on the religion of another people. What an incredible example of Chesed love sacrificially giving up her own land and people for the sake of her mother in law. God indeed blesses Ruth throughout the rest of the story and rewards her with a husband, Boaz. We even see Ruth show up in the genealogy of Jesus in the book of Matthew.
Understanding God’s Word
Studying the Hebrew in the scriptures opens up another dimension in understanding. Sometimes our English translations just don’t quite cover it. Being diligent to learning the Hebrew meanings of words is such a helpful tool in grasping more of God’s heart throughout the Bible.
Psalm 100:5, “For the LORD is good; his “CHESED” steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.”