Day 55.

In actual fact it has to my favourite word in the entire Bible! , it is also the most incredible and profound word in the Old Testament. It permeates almost every book. It is variously translated into English by the words ‘love’, ‘unfailing love’ ‘lovingkindness’(NIV and NASB) ‘steadfast love’(RSV), ‘goodness,’ ‘mercy,’ ‘merciful kindness’ or ‘faithfulness’(KJV). It is the Hebrew word ‘chesed’ or ‘hesed’ (the ‘c’ is almost silent and produces a guttural sound.) The RSV and NRSV tend to be the most consistent by translating ‘chesed’ always into ‘steadfast love.’ The NASB always translates it into ‘lovingkindness.’
The entire confessional background of the Hebrew faith that makes up the cathedral of the Old Testament, rests on three grand pillars: Grace (Chesed), covenant (Berit), and teachings (Torah.) These are the three key words in understanding the Jewish faith. Tragically the HSC religious studies course component of the Jewish religion leaves out the most important one and mentions only the last two.
Chesed is a powerful word! ‘Chesed’ is an act that has no cause! The ultimate act of ‘chesed’ is creation, “out of nothing’. No one merits existence, we only exist by the gift of God. Our relationship to God depends on ‘chesed’, because He owes us nothing. God does not save us because of what we do, but because of who He is! Loving kindness (NASB) is an act that has no cause. It is a character trait of God because “God is love.” (1John 4:8) This Old Testament equivalent of the New Testament word ‘grace’ (grk – charis) shows us that the plan of salvation has been the same throughout history.
Look at the following passage from the NASB. This passage from Psalm 89 is talking about the promise of the Davidic Covenant, which was just a reiteration of the various covenants that went before it, all the way back to Eden.
My steadfast love I will keep for him for ever,    and my covenant will stand firm for him.29 I will establish his line for ever    and his throne as the days of the heavens.30 If his children forsake my law    and do not walk according to my ordinances,31 if they violate my statutes    and do not keep my commandments,32 then I will punish their transgression with the rod    and their iniquity with scourges;33 but I will not remove from him my steadfast love,    or be false to my faithfulness.34 I will not violate my covenant,    or alter the word that went forth from my lips.

Notice the word ‘selah’ at the end of verse 37. That is a musical term that means pause and think about what you are singing. All three of the pillars are in these verses, but the most staggering thing is Yahweh’s affirmation to stand by his word no matter where the nation of Israel goes or how far they wander into disobedience. Verse 34 is amazing! God changes not (Mal 3:6) – He is the same yesterday today and forever.(Heb 13:8) Of course verse 36 is referring to the ultimate seed of David. We also know what happened to the seed of Abraham in the New Testament. These words and the ones I am going to follow with, all belong to us. Our hope rests on the promise of God and that is the heart of Psalm 89.
God is faithful; His will must ultimately triumph, but whether or not we triumph depends upon how we relate ourselves to that will. Ask yourself, “Is the will of God your sovereign law?”