The Hesad of Yahweh

Posted on July 28, 2020 by Catey Stover in Victory Call

And her mother-in-law said to her, “Where did you glean today? And where have you worked? Blessed be the man who took notice of you.” So she told her mother-in-law with whom she had worked and said, “The man’s name with whom I worked today is Boaz.”  And Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “May he be blessed by the Lord, whose kindness has not forsaken the living or the dead!”  Naomi also said to her, “The man is a close relative of ours, one of our redeemers.”

Ruth 2:19-20

One of the Pastors at my church recently preached from the book of Ruth. I have heard many messages focused on the book of Ruth but none that zeroed in on the hesad (pronounced hah-said) of Yahweh, (or the steadfast loving kindness of God.) We know as His daughters that God is kind but this teaching explained how the kindness of God is deeper and richer than surface level kindness. I don’t think I can explain it any better than Pastor Jack did, I know I can’t, so I’m simply going to share a few notes I gleaned from his message.

Our trust in Yahweh is bolstered and our reflection of His hesad is encouraged when we consider how His kindness toward us is so great.

Consider Naomi who was left empty and how God restored a family to her through Ruth.

Consider Ruth and the loving providence of God to take a Moabite woman and bring her into a land where no idol is worshiped but the true and living God. It was not so for her sister-in- law Orpah. I had never considered Orpah! We don’t know what happened to her, but we do know she made a decision to return to her parents in that land of idol worship. Naomi encouraging them both to do so as a practical means of gaining a new husband and perhaps children. Naomi considered the practical not the spiritual. The loving providence of God is best observed from a distance. None of these women had the mind to consider this at the moment, deep grief and shock I’m sure took its toll on each of them yet the providence of God unfolded.

Consider Boaz and how he took notice of Ruth and of her hesad toward Naomi. Her reputation for this kindness preceded her.

I could go on and on, but instead I will highly recommend you listen to this teaching yourself.

The message is titled: What’s So Important About Kindness by Pastor Jack McDonald, Grace Bible Church

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvN5DXtE3kg

 

I have personally experienced the hesad of Yahweh and taken notice even more so of it since I’ve heard this message. I’ve also been encouraged to pray that I can be a better reflection of His kindness to others.

The Lord bless you…

Dina Seaton

Written by Dina Seaton: Dina loves Jesus and has been a Christian since 2000. She has lived and worked at America’s Keswick since 2002, currently as the Dining Room Mgr./Hostess. She has one adult son, who is dearly loved, brings her great joy, and makes her proud to be part of the US military family- USA!  The blessing in Numbers 6:24-26 is one of her favorites.

---

Think About This: “If we do not love one another, we certainly shall not have much power with God in prayer.” – D.L. Moody

The Daily Bible Reading: Jeremiah 5-8| You can download our 2020 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here. 

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: ¹³ Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ -1 Peter 1:13

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the doctrinal and theological views held by America’s Keswick.