Hesed

EIBC Devotional #6 - “Hesed”

Emerald Isle Baptist Church

Pastor Zach Emory

Question(s) for Reflection

How have you experienced God’s “loving kindness and faithfulness”?

What does “mercy/steadfast love rather than sacrifice” look like?

Scripture - Hosea 6:6

6 For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice,

    the knowledge of God rather than burnt-offerings. 

The Hebrew word for “steadfast love” is hesed and it means more than just kindness. It is God’s continued faithfulness to Israel and to us, marked by unconditional love, and is the well from which springs all of God’s good gifts and grace. The Psalmist mentions hesed many times in his hymns of praise. Just as one example, Psalm 36.

5 Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens,

    your faithfulness to the clouds.

6 Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,

    your judgements are like the great deep;

    you save humans and animals alike, O Lord. 

In Hosea, God reminds us that we are also expected to embody hesed because of our covenant relationship with him. How do we do that? Hesed was made flesh at the time of the incarnation of Christ, and Jesus is our model for what loving-kindness looks like. For example, he commands us to “feed the hungry and clothe the naked” (Matt. 25) May we continue to follow him as we act as light to the whole world, remembering that God wants us to Love in Spirit rather than carry out a shallow, performative spirituality.

Prayer: 

Thank you, O God, for Your steadfast love and faithfulness. Thank you for entering into a covenant relationship with us, and teach us how to embody Your hesed as we seek to become more like You. Amen.