The Depth of God's Hesed: Covenant Loyalty and Faithfulness

 

Summary

In today's exploration of the "Hesed Effect," we delved into the profound nature of God's character and how it influences our relationship with Him. Understanding God's character traits, such as His hesed, is crucial for deepening our spiritual walk and receiving from Him. Hesed, often translated as loving-kindness or mercy, is a multifaceted Hebrew word that encapsulates God's covenant loyalty and faithfulness. It is a trait that cannot be fully captured by a single English word, as it has been translated in over 169 different ways. This depth of meaning highlights the richness of God's character and His unwavering commitment to His covenants.

We examined the story of Moses in Exodus 33 and 34, where God reveals His glory and character to Moses. God introduces Himself as merciful, gracious, long-suffering, and abounding in hesed and truth. This revelation is foundational for understanding how God relates to humanity through covenants. The covenant is not just a contract but a divine promise that God is passionate about keeping. His hesed is the driving force behind His covenant loyalty, ensuring that He remains faithful to His promises across generations.

The sermon also highlighted the importance of knowing God from multiple perspectives, akin to viewing a statue from different angles in a gazebo. This analogy helps us appreciate the diverse aspects of God's nature, as seen in the Gospels' varied accounts of Jesus' ministry. By understanding God as more than just a savior, but also as a healer, restorer, and avenger, we expand our capacity to receive from Him.

The story of blind Bartimaeus in Mark 10 illustrates the power of invoking God's hesed. Bartimaeus recognized Jesus as the "Son of David," acknowledging the covenant promise of hesed that God made with David's lineage. This recognition stopped Jesus in His tracks, demonstrating that God responds to those who understand and invoke His covenant promises.

In conclusion, the depth of our knowledge of God's character directly impacts our spiritual growth and the blessings we can receive. By seeking to know God more intimately, we open ourselves to the fullness of His hesed, which is rich, abounding, and eternal.

Key Takeaways:

1. Understanding God's Character:
Knowing God as more than just a savior is crucial for spiritual growth. Recognizing His traits like wisdom, healing, and unconditional love expands our capacity to receive from Him. This understanding transforms our relationship with God, allowing us to approach Him with boldness and confidence. [02:17]

2. The Power of Hesed:
Hesed is a profound aspect of God's character, representing His covenant loyalty and faithfulness. It is a trait that cannot be fully captured by a single English word, highlighting the richness of God's nature. Understanding hesed allows us to invoke God's promises and experience His faithfulness in our lives. [12:11]

3. Covenant Loyalty:
God's hesed is the driving force behind His covenant loyalty. He is unwavering in His commitment to His promises, ensuring that His covenant remains valid across generations. This loyalty assures us that God will fulfill His part of the covenant, providing us with security and hope. [19:57]

4. Invoking Covenant Promises:
Recognizing and invoking God's covenant promises, as seen in the story of blind Bartimaeus, demonstrates the power of understanding God's hesed. When we acknowledge God's covenant loyalty, we invite His intervention and experience His transformative power in our lives. [42:39]

5. Expanding Our Understanding:
Viewing God from multiple perspectives, like the gazebo analogy, enriches our understanding of His nature. This multifaceted view allows us to appreciate the diverse aspects of God's character and deepens our relationship with Him. By seeking to know God more intimately, we open ourselves to the fullness of His hesed. [06:23]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:17] - The Importance of Knowing God's Character
- [06:23] - The Gazebo Theory: Viewing God from Different Angles
- [12:11] - Understanding Hesed: God's Covenant Loyalty
- [15:28] - The Depth of God's Word and Truth
- [17:36] - Moses' Encounter with God's Glory
- [19:57] - Covenant Loyalty and Its Implications
- [21:04] - The Obligatory Action of Hesed
- [23:46] - God's Passion for Covenants
- [25:36] - The Fulfillment of the Old Covenant
- [30:32] - Jehoshaphat's Invocation of Hesed
- [35:07] - The Marriage Covenant as a Picture of Hesed
- [37:07] - The Servant's Prayer and God's Faithfulness
- [42:39] - Blind Bartimaeus and the Power of Covenant
- [45:39] - The Seed of Abraham and Our Inheritance
- [47:48] - Adoption into God's Family
- [51:06] - The Syrophoenician Woman's Faith
- [53:25] - Seeking God's Face, Not Just His Hand
- [54:59] - God's Richness in Hesed
- [58:07] - The Eternal Nature of God's Covenant

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Hesed Effect

Bible Reading:
1. Exodus 34:6-7
2. Mark 10:46-52
3. 2 Samuel 7:12-16

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Observation Questions:

1. In Exodus 34:6-7, what attributes of God are revealed to Moses, and how do they relate to the concept of hesed? [12:11]

2. How does the story of blind Bartimaeus in Mark 10:46-52 illustrate the power of invoking God's hesed? What was Bartimaeus' understanding of Jesus that prompted his plea? [42:39]

3. According to 2 Samuel 7:12-16, what promise does God make to David regarding his descendants, and how is this connected to the concept of hesed? [40:15]

4. How does the analogy of the gazebo help us understand the multifaceted nature of God's character as discussed in the sermon? [06:23]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does it mean for God to be "abounding in hesed," and how does this attribute impact His relationship with humanity? [12:11]

2. How does the understanding of God's hesed influence the way believers can approach Him in prayer and worship, as seen in the story of Jehoshaphat? [30:32]

3. In what ways does the covenant promise made to David in 2 Samuel 7:12-16 find its fulfillment in the New Testament, particularly in the life and ministry of Jesus? [40:15]

4. How does the concept of hesed challenge or affirm your current understanding of God's faithfulness and covenant loyalty? [19:57]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's hesed in your life. How did it change your understanding of His character and your relationship with Him? [19:57]

2. In what ways can you expand your understanding of God beyond seeing Him as just a savior, to also recognizing Him as a healer, restorer, and avenger? How might this change your spiritual walk? [02:17]

3. How can you actively invoke God's covenant promises in your daily life, similar to how Bartimaeus did? What specific promises are you holding onto right now? [42:39]

4. Consider the "gazebo theory" from the sermon. What new perspective of God can you explore this week to deepen your relationship with Him? [06:23]

5. How does understanding God's covenant loyalty provide you with security and hope in uncertain times? Can you identify a current situation where this understanding could be applied? [19:57]

6. Think about a specific area in your life where you need to experience God's hesed. What steps can you take to invite His intervention and transformative power into that situation? [42:39]

7. How can you share the concept of God's hesed with someone who may not be familiar with it? What personal story or scripture could you use to illustrate its impact? [45:39]

Devotional

Day 1: Expanding Our View of God
Understanding God as more than just a savior is crucial for spiritual growth. Recognizing His traits like wisdom, healing, and unconditional love expands our capacity to receive from Him. This understanding transforms our relationship with God, allowing us to approach Him with boldness and confidence. By viewing God from multiple perspectives, akin to seeing a statue from different angles, we can appreciate the diverse aspects of His nature. This multifaceted view allows us to deepen our relationship with Him and open ourselves to the fullness of His hesed. [02:17]

"For who in the skies can be compared to the Lord? Who among the heavenly beings is like the Lord, a God greatly to be feared in the council of the holy ones, and awesome above all who are around him?" (Psalm 89:6-7, ESV)

Reflection: What is one new aspect of God's character you can explore this week, and how might it change the way you relate to Him?


Day 2: The Depth of Hesed
Hesed is a profound aspect of God's character, representing His covenant loyalty and faithfulness. It is a trait that cannot be fully captured by a single English word, highlighting the richness of God's nature. Understanding hesed allows us to invoke God's promises and experience His faithfulness in our lives. This depth of meaning emphasizes the richness of God's character and His unwavering commitment to His covenants. By seeking to know God more intimately, we open ourselves to the fullness of His hesed, which is rich, abounding, and eternal. [12:11]

"Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man." (Proverbs 3:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively remind yourself of God's hesed in your daily life, and what difference might it make in your interactions with others?


Day 3: Covenant Loyalty and Assurance
God's hesed is the driving force behind His covenant loyalty. He is unwavering in His commitment to His promises, ensuring that His covenant remains valid across generations. This loyalty assures us that God will fulfill His part of the covenant, providing us with security and hope. Understanding this aspect of God's character helps us trust in His promises and rely on His faithfulness, knowing that He will never abandon His covenant with us. [19:57]

"Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations." (Deuteronomy 7:9, ESV)

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to trust more in God's covenant loyalty, and how can you remind yourself of His faithfulness today?


Day 4: Invoking God's Promises
Recognizing and invoking God's covenant promises, as seen in the story of blind Bartimaeus, demonstrates the power of understanding God's hesed. When we acknowledge God's covenant loyalty, we invite His intervention and experience His transformative power in our lives. This understanding empowers us to call upon God with confidence, knowing that He is faithful to His promises and will respond to our needs. [42:39]

"And I will make for them a covenant on that day with the beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens, and the creeping things of the ground. And I will abolish the bow, the sword, and war from the land, and I will make you lie down in safety." (Hosea 2:18, ESV)

Reflection: What specific promise of God can you invoke in your life today, and how can you actively seek His intervention in that area?


Day 5: A Multifaceted Understanding of God
Viewing God from multiple perspectives, like the gazebo analogy, enriches our understanding of His nature. This multifaceted view allows us to appreciate the diverse aspects of God's character and deepens our relationship with Him. By seeking to know God more intimately, we open ourselves to the fullness of His hesed. This approach encourages us to explore the different dimensions of God's character, leading to a more profound and meaningful relationship with Him. [06:23]

"Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure." (Psalm 147:5, ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally explore a new dimension of God's character this week, and what steps will you take to deepen your understanding of Him?

Quotes

"I've said this many times. If you know Jesus as savior, then it's not hard to receive salvation from him. But you can know Jesus as savior, but you don't know him as wisdom. And the Bible said he's made into us wisdom as well. And so if you only know Jesus, as savior and not wisdom or not healer, another one of his characteristics, then you might not be able to receive wisdom from him or healing from him. You might just have received salvation. You're a new creation, thank God, but your walk with God stops there because you don't know him from different perspectives." [00:01:34]

"Because if you don't think his love is unconditional and you don't have that revelation, then your relationship with him is going to be based on you. And it's the conditions of how you act, how good you are, how spiritual you are, and you will be limited in your spiritual growth. But if you know him as unconditional love, then you can approach him without sense of inferiority or guilt. Come on. And you can come into his presence with boldness. You can approach the throne of grace, amen, and receive what you need. So how you see him determines what you can receive from him." [00:02:27]

"You have to be willing to look through every window at the same statue. You have to be willing to...man, I want to see God from this perspective. Man, you are my Savior. But I want to know Jesus, just not just as Savior. I want to know him as healer. Come on. I want to know him as restorer. You know, the Bible says, God is our avenger. Vengeance is mine. How many of you want to know him as your avenger? Well, that's good right there. You don't have to fight the battle. He will avenge you. Recompense is mine, says the Lord." [00:07:04]

"Now, the word hesed, the verb is the obligatory action based on the covenant. Okay. The noun, the verb is the obligatory action based on the covenant. Okay. Because God says, I can have hesed towards you, but he told Moses, I am hesed. I'm abounding in it. In other words, the hesed character trait of me is the way you'll see it and relate to it, it's overflowing. Like whenever you get around someone that's abounding in a character trait, everyone recognizes it, right?" [00:23:08]

"So, God's the same. If he has a covenant, he's faithful to it. So, listen to this. The obligations and rights that are acquired through a covenant are translated into corresponding actions through hesed. Let me say it again. The obligations and rights that are acquired through a covenant. A covenant's a contract. So, whatever the rights and obligations are from one side of a contract, that contract now makes them valid to whoever the other person is that's in contract." [00:20:21]

"Jehoshaphat said, let's put the worshipers and the musicians out front. You got the Navy SEALs, Delta Force, all the best out in the front line, or actually, I guess in real life, they put them in the back, and they put the newest recruits up front. But let's just put it this way for now. So you have all the best warriors, and then he says, in front of them, between them and the enemy who's trying to kill us, let's put the worshipers. And you can get a church fired up about that. You just got to worship your way through the fight, right?" [00:30:32]

"Blind Bartimaeus, who couldn't see with these eyes, saw with these eyes, the eyes of his understanding. And he said, this, I've heard of, I know who this is. This is the son of David. What's he hearkening to? 2 Samuel 7, all the prophecies, the seed of David, the son or seed is the same word, the seed of David, Jesus' seed of David. What's the seed of David? My chesed will not depart from him. I have covenant with him." [00:42:39]

"Whenever you want what God has and you don't want him, you're asking wrongly. You say, I want you, wisdom. I want you, my peace. I want you. All of the names in Hebrew of God are all different ways of expressing the character traits, the gazebo theory. They're saying God is revealing himself as most high God and as Jehovah Jireh, your provider. Have you noticed that? He has all of these names, Jehovah Shammah, the ever -present one, the Lord our banner." [00:52:25]

"Psalm 2510, all the paths of the Lord are hesed in truth, to as such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. You see hesed in truth, always together. Deuteronomy 7 .9, therefore know that the Lord your God, he is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and hesed. Deuteronomy 7 .9, who keeps covenant and hesed for a thousand generations. What are they saying in Deuteronomy? They're hearkening back to the first time God revealed that to Moses." [00:33:55]

"God says, I want you to really get this, because I want you to see everything that I'm going to do between me and man has to be through covenant. And if it has to be through covenant, then you have to understand why I am so passionate about covenants. So God's Chesed personality trait, the noun, is the very, these theologians that have written all these books on it say, it is the substance or the trait that causes God to be a covenant -keeping God." [00:24:29]

"God promised hesed to somebody. And once you see what we're about to read, you're going to see so much in the New Covenant and the New Testament that God has written in Scripture, revealed, and will make so much more sense of why certain things happen in the ministry of Jesus. 2 Samuel 7, verse 8, and then we're going to skip over to verse 12 through 16. Verse 8 says, 2 Samuel 7, verse 8, and then we're going to skip over to verse 12 through 16." [00:39:25]

"Psalm 103, verse 8. The Bible begins to tell us that God is rich in chesed, I like the word rich. Come on. He's rich in Hesed. What's that mean? Rich means you have a lot of something. So when he's rich in Hesed, I mean, some people are so rich, they could...I heard one time some billionaire or something there saying, man, he has so much money. If he had a million dollar bills in his pocket and he dropped one every hour or something, it was like 400 years until he would run out of money or something crazy." [00:54:59]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
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