Throughout the Old Testament, and especially in the book of Isaiah, we see the strangely long word “lovingkindness.”
When I’ve read this word before, I’ve assumed it is used to describe God’s love and kindness literally.
But I have learned that when the translators were working on the King James Version of the Bible, they often chose “lovingkindness” as the direct translation for the Hebrew word “hesed.”
However, when you look at what “hesed” means in Hebrew, it describes the unique covenant relationship where both parties are bound to be loyal and faithful to each other.
It connotes a special kind of love and mercy God extends and feels for those who make covenants with Him.
Isaiah said, “I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the Lord, and the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses.” (Isaiah 63:7)
Lovingkindness is much more than kindness and love.
God wants to share this special kind of love and devotion with us!
To access His lovingkindness, we enter into covenants with God.
So what covenants have you made with God already?
And what’s something you could do today to live up to what you’ve promised just a little bit better?
Happy Studying!
-Cali Black
