Sermon Illustrations

GREEK WORDS FOR GOD'S LOVE

The Hebrew words for love are more meaningful than the Greek ones, especially two of them.

aheb, "...The intensity of the meaning ranges from God's infinite affection for his people to the carnal appetites of a lazy glutton..." (Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, Volume 1, p. 14).

hesed, "Lovingkindness ... is the idea of faithful love in action and often in the OT refers to God's lovingkindness expressed in His covenant relationship with Israel (His "loyal love" to His "Wife" Israel [cp Hos 2:18, 19, 20-see note, Is 54:5, Je 31:32] = His "loyalty to covenant"). God's hesed His denotes persistent and unconditional tenderness, kindness, and mercy ... Hesed expresses both God's loyalty to His covenant and His love for His people along with a faithfulness to keep His promises.

"...'In an outburst of anger I hid My face from you for a moment; but with everlasting lovingkindness (hesed) I will have compassion (racham) on you," Says the LORD your Redeemer.' (Isa 54:8)

"'For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake, But My lovingkindness (hesed) will not be removed from you, And My covenant of peace will not be shaken," Says the LORD who has compassion (racham) on you.' (Isa 54:10)

"'The LORD'S lovingkindnesses (hesed) indeed never cease, For His compassions (racham) never fail.' (Lam 3:22)"

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