This morning, I will like us to see a big picture from the book of Ruth about kindness.
We have three passages in Ruth that uses the Hebrew word ds,j&,.
Ruth 1:8, when Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back, each of you, to your mother’s home. May the LORD show kindness to you, as you have shown to your dead and to me.”
Ruth 2:20, when Naomi saw how much Ruth brought home from gleaning in the field she said, “He has not stopped showing his kindness to the living and the dead.
And, Ruth 3:10, when Ruth asked Boaz to “spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a kinsman-redeemer,” he replied “this kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier.”
The repeated word, “kindness,” is translated from the Hebrew word ds,j&,. Although it is translated as kindness in these passages, it has rich meanings like, loyalty, faithfulness, kindness, goodness, mercy, and love and compassion.
- Hesed is relational… All three occurrences in Ruth are relational in nature. It’s exercised between people and between God and people.
- And, because it is relational, it is connected to the idea of covenant. Covenant expresses deep and abiding loyalty and commitment between the parties bound by a particular covenant. When we consider the story of Ruth, the root of the story goes all the way back to the covenant that God made with Abraham. Genesis 12:2-4 says, “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” Last week we saw how Boaz and Ruth’s son, Obed was the father of Jesse and Jesse the father of David. In the greater context of the whole Bible, God’s covenant to bless all peoples on earth through Abraham was fulfilled through Jesus Christ. Last week, we also saw how the family tree leading all the way from Jesus to David, David to Obed, Obed to Abraham and
- Another thing about Hesed is it describes more than how one feels towards others; Hesed is carried out in action. It is not just feeling kind towards someone; it is being kind to that person. When Naomi used this word in 1:8, she called on God to show his kindness to Ruth as Ruth demonstrated her kindness to Naomi by staying with her, going with her instead of leaving her.
- Hesed is carried out in action by more powerful person for weaker person. This is was the case when Boaz showed his kindness to Ruth and Naomi, Ruth to Naomi, and ultimately God to them and to us.
- Hesed is also a voluntary act that goes beyond the call of duty. Boaz was encouraged to follow the spirit of the law in the Old Testament, but he was not obligated to act, nor was he forced or manipulated to do so. Ruth after her husband Mahlon died, she didn’t have to stick with Naomi, but, she did.
Now, let’s consider specifically God’s Hesed towards people.
- Divine Hesed saves people from disaster or oppressors. We saw this in Ruth 1:6 which describes how “the LORD had come to the aid of his people by providing food for them.” A psalmist asked in Psalms 94, “Who will rise up for me against the wicked? Who will take a stand for me against the evildoers? Unless the LORD had given me help, I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death. What I said, ‘My foot is slipping,’ your love, O LORD, supported me.”
- Divine Hesed sustains life. As mentioned already, God showing up to provide food for his people in
- Devine Hesed counteracts God’s wrath. Micah 7:18-19 says, “Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.” And, Lamentation 3:31-32 says, “For men are not cast off by the LORD forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love (hesed).” James 2:13 says, “Mercy triumphs over judgment.”
- Devine hesed is enduring, persistent, and eternal. Isaiah 54:10, “Though the mountain be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love (hesed) for you will not be shaken.” In Jeremiah 31:3, God spoke to the Israelites that their current dark situation will not prevent the future restoration of
- Devine Hesed is the basis and motive for our petition, approach to God. We seek forgiveness on the basis of God’s hesed. When Moses pleaded for his people sins, he appealed to God’s hesed. Numbers 14:17-19 reads, “Now may the LORD’s strength be displayed, just as your have declared, ‘The LORD is slow to anger, abounding in love (hesed) and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished… In accordance with your great love (hesed), forgive the sin of these people.”
Psalm 136
PS 136:1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good.
His love endures forever.
PS 136:2 Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures forever.
PS 136:3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His love endures forever.
PS 136:4 to him who alone does great wonders,
His love endures forever.
PS 136:5 who by his understanding made the heavens,
His love endures forever.
PS 136:6 who spread out the earth upon the waters,
His love endures forever.
PS 136:7 who made the great lights--
His love endures forever.
PS 136:8 the sun to govern the day,
His love endures forever.
PS 136:9 the moon and stars to govern the night;
His love endures forever.
PS 136:10 to him who struck down the firstborn of
His love endures forever.
PS 136:11 and brought
His love endures forever.
PS 136:12 with a mighty hand and outstretched arm;
His love endures forever.
PS 136:13 to him who divided the
His love endures forever.
PS 136:14 and brought
His love endures forever.
PS 136:15 but swept Pharaoh and his army into the
His love endures forever.
PS 136:16 to him who led his people through the desert,
His love endures forever.
PS 136:17 who struck down great kings,
His love endures forever.
PS 136:18 and killed mighty kings--
His love endures forever.
PS 136:19 Sihon king of the Amorites
His love endures forever.
PS 136:20 and Og king of
His love endures forever.
PS 136:21 and gave their land as an inheritance,
His love endures forever.
PS 136:22 an inheritance to his servant
His love endures forever.
PS 136:23 to the One who remembered us in our low estate
His love endures forever.
PS 136:24 and freed us from our enemies,
His love endures forever.
PS 136:25 and who gives food to every creature.
His love endures forever.
PS 136:26 Give thanks to the God of heaven.
His love endures forever.
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