# Hesed: The Hebrew Word That Changes How You Read the Entire Bible

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qqvf4b8w5kk
Translation: zh-CN

[00:00] There is a word in the Hebrew Bible that shows up over 240 times.
  希伯来圣经中有一个词出现超过240次。

[00:05] Your English Bible translates it as mercy in one verse, steadfast love in another, loving kindness in another, and just plain love somewhere else.
  你的英文圣经在一节经文中将其翻译为怜悯，在另一节经文中翻译为坚定的爱，在另一节经文中翻译为慈爱的恩典，在其他地方则翻译为普通的爱。

[00:16] Same Hebrew word every time, different English word every time.
  每次都是同一个希伯来语词，每次都用不同的英语词。

[00:21] Not because the translators disagreed with each other, but because this single word carries so much weight that no one English word can hold all of it.
  不是因为翻译者之间意见不合，而是因为这个词本身承载着如此沉重的分量，以至于没有任何一个英语词能够完全表达。

[00:28] That word is hesed.
  那个词是hesed。

[00:30] And here is what makes it fascinating.
  而这正是它迷人之处。

[00:32] When God himself stood on a mountain and described his own character, out of every word he could have chosen, he chose this one.
  当上帝自己站在山上描述他自己的品格时，在他本可以 chosen 的所有词语中，他选择了这个词。

[00:38] Not power, not holiness, not wrath, hesed.
  不是力量，不是圣洁，不是愤怒，而是hesed。

[00:43] And he did it at the worst possible moment, right after his people had broken every promise they had just made to him.
  而他却在最糟糕的时刻这样做了，就在他的子民刚刚向他许下所有承诺后不久，就违背了所有承诺。

[00:50] If you have ever wanted to understand the kind of love God actually has for you, not just the word on the page, but the reality behind it, this Hebrew word will change how you read nearly every
  如果你曾经想了解上帝对你实际拥有的爱，不仅仅是纸面上的词语，而是它背后的现实，这个希伯来语词将改变你阅读几乎每一个

[01:00] will change how you read nearly every page of scripture.
  将改变你阅读几乎每一页经文的方式。

[01:02] page of scripture. Because hesed is not just a word, it is
  经文的篇章。因为 hesed 不仅仅是一个词，它是一种

[01:04] Because hesed is not just a word, it is the storyline.
  因为 hesed 不仅仅是一个词，它是一种故事情节。

[01:06] the storyline. So, what does hesed actually mean? The
  故事情节。那么，hesed 到底是什么意思呢？

[01:08] So, what does hesed actually mean? The honest answer is that no single English
  那么，hesed 到底是什么意思呢？诚实的回答是，没有一个单一的英语

[01:10] honest answer is that no single English word captures it. The Hebrew language
  诚实的回答是，没有一个单一的英语词语能够捕捉到它的含义。希伯来语

[01:13] word captures it. The Hebrew language has far fewer words than English, which
  词语能够捕捉到它的含义。希伯来语的词汇量比英语少得多，这意味着

[01:15] has far fewer words than English, which means individual Hebrew words carry
  希伯来语的词汇量比英语少得多，这意味着单个希伯来语词汇承载着

[01:17] means individual Hebrew words carry enormous weight. They absorb layers of
  承载着巨大的分量。它们吸收了多层含义，

[01:19] enormous weight. They absorb layers of meaning depending on context. And hesed
  分量，具体取决于上下文。而 hesed

[01:22] meaning depending on context. And hesed carries more layers than almost any
  含义，具体取决于上下文。而 hesed 所包含的层次比旧约中几乎任何其他词语都要多。

[01:24] carries more layers than almost any other word in the Old Testament.
  所包含的层次比旧约中几乎任何其他词语都要多。

[01:26] other word in the Old Testament. At its root, the word comes from a
  其他词语在旧约中。其根本上，这个词来源于一个

[01:28] At its root, the word comes from a Hebrew verb that means to bow one's head
  其根本上，这个词来源于一个希伯来动词，意思是向某人鞠躬

[01:30] Hebrew verb that means to bow one's head in courtesy toward an equal.
  希伯来动词，意思是向某人鞠躬以示礼貌，对方是与自己平等的人。

[01:32] in courtesy toward an equal. Already you are dealing with something
  以示礼貌，对方是与自己平等的人。你已经接触到了某种

[01:33] Already you are dealing with something different from charity or pity.
  你已经接触到了某种不同于慈善或怜悯的东西。

[01:36] different from charity or pity. This is not love that looks down. It is
  不同于慈善或怜悯的东西。这不是一种居高临下的爱。而是一种

[01:38] This is not love that looks down. It is love that lowers itself by choice.
  这不是一种居高临下的爱。而是一种主动选择降低自己身段的爱。

[01:41] love that lowers itself by choice. There is an element of deliberate
  主动选择降低自己身段的爱。这个词本身就包含了一种刻意的

[01:42] There is an element of deliberate humility baked into the word before it
  刻意的谦卑的元素，甚至在它被应用之前就已经融入了这个词。

[01:44] humility baked into the word before it even gets applied. But the meaning goes
  甚至在它被应用之前就已经融入了这个词。但它的含义远不止于此。

[01:47] even gets applied. But the meaning goes further.
  甚至在它被应用之前就已经融入了这个词。但它的含义远不止于此。

[01:48] further. Hesed wraps together at least four ideas
  远不止于此。Hesed 整合了至少四个概念，

[01:50] Hesed wraps together at least four ideas that English normally keeps in separate
  Hesed 整合了至少四个概念，而英语通常会将它们保存在不同的抽屉里。

[01:52] that English normally keeps in separate drawers. First, there is loyal love, the
  不同的抽屉里。首先，有忠诚的爱，

[01:55] drawers. First, there is loyal love, the kind that does not quit when the
  抽屉里。首先，有忠诚的爱，那种在关系变得困难时也不会放弃的爱。

[01:57] kind that does not quit when the relationship gets difficult. Second,
  那种在关系变得困难时也不会放弃的爱。其次，

[01:59] relationship gets difficult. Second, there is covenant faithfulness, the kind
  关系变得困难时也不会放弃的爱。其次，有约的信实，那种

[02:02] there is covenant faithfulness, the kind that is bound to a promise.
  有约定的信实，那种与承诺相关的信实。

[02:04] that is bound to a promise.
  那种与承诺相关的信实。

[02:06] Third, there is mercy, the kind that gives what is not deserved.
  第三，有怜悯，那种给予不配得的恩典。

[02:09] And fourth, there is active kindness, because hesed is never just a feeling, it always shows up as action.
  第四，有积极的仁慈，因为 hesed 绝不仅仅是一种感觉，它总是以行动表现出来。

[02:15] One biblical scholar described it this way.
  一位圣经学者如此描述它。

[02:18] Hesed is what happens when someone goes far beyond what duty requires, not because they have to, but because of who they are.
  Hesed 是当某人远远超出职责要求时所发生的事情，不是因为他们必须这样做，而是因为他们是谁。

[02:26] It is kindness that exceeds expectation, rooted in a committed relationship.
  这是一种超越期望的仁慈，根植于承诺的关系中。

[02:31] That combination is what makes it so hard to capture in English.
  这种结合使得它很难用英语来捕捉。

[02:34] Love alone misses the covenant dimension.
  仅凭爱会忽略约定的维度。

[02:36] Mercy alone misses the relational commitment.
  仅凭怜悯会忽略关系的承诺。

[02:40] Kindness alone does not carry the weight of a promise.
  仅凭仁慈无法承载承诺的分量。

[02:42] Faithfulness alone does not carry the warmth.
  仅凭信实无法承载温暖。

[02:46] Each English translation catches part of it.
  每一个英文翻译都捕捉到了它的一部分。

[02:48] Hesed holds all of them together at the same time.
  Hesed 同时包含了所有这些。

[02:52] And the reason this matters so much is that the Old Testament uses this word more than any other word to describe how God relates to his people.
  这之所以如此重要，是因为旧约圣经使用这个词的频率比任何其他词都高，来描述上帝如何与祂的子民相处。

[03:00] This is not one attribute among many.
  这并非众多属性中的一个。

[03:02] This is not one attribute among many.
  这并非众多属性中的一个。

[03:04] This is the attribute God keeps coming back to over and over, as if to say, "If you understand nothing else about me, understand this."
  这是上帝反复提及的属性，仿佛在说：“如果你对我一无所知，那就了解这一点。”

[03:13] The most dramatic moment involving hesed in the entire Bible happens in Exodus 34, and the context makes it unforgettable.
  圣经中涉及hesed（慈爱）最戏剧性的时刻发生在出埃及记34章，当时的背景使其令人难忘。

[03:21] Israel has just committed the worst act of betrayal in their short history as a nation.
  以色列人在他们短暂的国家历史上，刚刚犯下了最严重的背叛行为。

[03:26] Weeks earlier, they stood at the base of Mount Sinai and heard God's voice.
  几周前，他们站在西奈山脚下，听到了上帝的声音。

[03:28] They saw the fire and the smoke.
  他们看到了火与烟。

[03:31] They agreed to the covenant.
  他们同意了盟约。

[03:34] Three times they said, "Everything the Lord has said, we will do."
  他们三次说：“耶和华所说的一切，我们都必遵行。”

[03:38] Moses went back up the mountain to receive the rest of God's instructions, and within 40 days, the people melted their gold jewelry and built an idol, a golden calf, and declared it their god.
  摩西回到山上，接受上帝其余的指示，而不到40天，百姓就熔化了他们的金饰，造了一个偶像，一只金牛犊，并宣告它是他们的神。

[03:50] Think about the timing.
  想想当时的时机。

[03:53] The ink on the covenant was not even dry.
  盟约的墨迹未干。

[03:55] The mountain was still smoking, and they were already dancing around a statue made from their own earrings.
  山仍在冒烟，他们却已围绕着用自己耳环制成的雕像跳舞。

[03:59] God was ready to end the relationship.
  上帝准备结束这段关系。

[04:02] He told Moses, "Leave me alone, that my wrath may burn hot"
  他告诉摩西：“别管我，任凭我的怒气向他们发作”

[04:04] alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them, and I may consume them.
  独自一人，使我的愤怒向他们发热，我必毁灭他们。

[04:07] against them, and I may consume them.
  向他们发热，我必毁灭他们。

[04:07] Moses interceded.
  摩西代求。

[04:07] He pleaded.
  他恳求。

[04:10] He stood between God's justice and the people's rebellion, and he asked God to remember his promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
  他站在神的公义和百姓的悖逆之间，求神记念他向亚伯拉罕、以撒和雅各所立的约。

[04:17] God relented, but the damage was done.
  神就回心转意，但损害已经造成。

[04:21] The first set of tablets was shattered.
  第一块石版被摔碎了。

[04:23] Then something astonishing happens.
  然后发生了一件令人惊讶的事。

[04:25] Moses goes back up the mountain with a new set of tablets, and God passes in front of him and declares his own name, his own character.
  摩西带着新石版回到山上，神从他面前经过，宣告他自己的名，他自己的品格。

[04:32] And this is what he says, "The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin."
  他说：“耶和华，耶和华，有怜悯，有恩典，不轻易发怒，并有丰盛的慈爱和诚实，为千万人存留慈爱，赦免罪孽、过犯和罪恶。”

[04:46] Exodus 34:6-7 in KJV.
  出埃及记34:6-7（KJV）。

[04:50] That word translated mercy in the phrase keeping mercy for thousands, and the word translated goodness in abounding in goodness, both are hesed.
  在“为千万人存留慈爱”这句话中翻译为“慈爱”的词，以及在“丰盛的良善”中翻译为“良善”的词，都是hesed。

[05:00] This is God's self-portrait, and he painted it standing in the wreckage of a
  这是神的自画像，他是在一片残骸中描绘的

[05:04] painted it standing in the wreckage of a broken covenant.
  将其描绘成站在破碎盟约的残骸中。

[05:06] broken covenant.
  破碎的盟约。

[05:06] That detail changes everything.
  这个细节改变了一切。

[05:09] God did not declare his hesed when Israel was being faithful.
  当以色列人忠诚时，上帝并没有宣告他的“hesed”（慈爱）。

[05:12] He declared it when they had just committed spiritual adultery.
  当他们刚刚犯下属灵淫乱时，他宣告了它。

[05:15] He did not announce his loyal love in the honeymoon phase.
  他没有在蜜月期宣告他忠贞的爱。

[05:19] He announced it in the aftermath of betrayal.
  他在背叛之后宣告了它。

[05:21] And that is the point.
  这就是重点。

[05:23] Hesed is not a word for good seasons.
  “Hesed”不是用来形容好时节的词。

[05:25] It is a word for broken ones.
  它是用来形容破碎时刻的词。

[05:27] And notice something else about Exodus 34:6-7.
  再注意一下出埃及记34:6-7的另一件事。

[05:31] God pairs hesed with another Hebrew word, emet, which means truth or faithfulness.
  上帝将“hesed”与另一个希伯来词“emet”配对，意思是真理或信实。

[05:37] Abounding in hesed and emet.
  满有“hesed”和“emet”。

[05:39] Those two words appear together throughout the Old Testament like two sides of one coin.
  这两个词在整个旧约中一起出现，就像一枚硬币的两面。

[05:44] God's love is not sentimental.
  上帝的爱不是多愁善感的。

[05:46] It is truthful.
  它是真实的。

[05:46] And God's truth is not cold.
  上帝的真理也不是冷酷的。

[05:49] It is loving.
  它是充满爱的。

[05:50] You cannot separate his mercy from his honesty.
  你不能将他的怜悯与他的诚实分开。

[05:53] Hesed and emet walk together.
  “Hesed”和“emet”是并行的。

[05:56] Moses' response is immediate.
  摩西的回应是立即的。

[05:58] He bows and worships.
  他俯伏敬拜。

[05:58] Then he does something remarkable.
  然后他做了一件非凡的事。

[06:00] He uses God's own self-description as the basis for his next prayer.
  他以神自己的自我描述为基础来祷告。

[06:06] Next prayer.
  下一个祷告。

[06:07] "If now I have found grace in your sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray, go among us, even though we are a stiff-necked people, and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us as your inheritance."
  “主啊，如果我在你眼前蒙恩，求你允许我的主，即使我们是顽梗的民，也与我们同在，赦免我们的罪孽和罪恶，收纳我们为你的产业。”

[06:17] Exodus 34:9.
  出埃及记 34:9。

[06:20] Moses essentially says, "You just told me who you are.
  摩西基本上说：“你刚才告诉我你是谁了。

[06:22] I am holding you to it."
  我将以此来约束你。”

[06:25] And God renews the covenant.
  然后上帝更新了盟约。

[06:27] This declaration became the most referenced passage in the rest of the Old Testament.
  这宣告成为旧约其余部分中最常被引用的经文。

[06:31] Biblical scholars have traced more than two dozen places where later writers quote or echo these exact words.
  圣经学者追溯了二十多处后来的作者引用或呼应这些确切话语的地方。

[06:38] Jonah quotes them when he is angry that God spared Nineveh, and his complaint is essentially, "I knew you would show hesed, and I did not want you to."
  约拿在得知上帝饶恕尼尼微时感到愤怒，他引用了这些话，他的抱怨基本上是：“我知道你会施怜悯，而我却不希望你这样做。”

[06:49] Jonah 4:2.
  约拿书 4:2。

[06:49] Joel echoes them as an invitation to return.
  约珥书呼应了这些话，作为回归的邀请。

[06:54] "Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness."
  “回归到你们的上帝那里，因为他有恩典，有怜悯，不轻易发怒，有丰盛的慈爱。”

[07:01] Joel 2:13.
  约珥书 2:13。

[07:01] Nehemiah appeals to them after the exile.
  尼希米在被掳之后引用了这些话。

[07:05] The Psalms sing them over and over.
  诗篇一遍又一遍地歌颂它们。

[07:06] Over. It became the bedrock confession of Israel.
  结束。它成为了以色列的基石般的信仰告白。

[07:09] Whenever they needed to remember who God was, they returned to this moment, to the mountain, to the smoke, to the place where God defined himself not by his power or his wrath, but by his hesed.
  每当他们需要回忆上帝是谁时，他们就会回到这一刻，回到山，回到烟雾，回到上帝定义自己的地方，不是凭着他的大能或他的愤怒，而是凭着他的 hesed。

[07:20] Even the prophet Micah distilled what God expects from humanity down to three things, and hesed was at the center.
  甚至先知弥迦也将上帝对人类的期望浓缩为三件事，而 hesed 居于中心。

[07:27] "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love hesed, and to walk humbly with your God?"
  “世人哪，耶和华已指示你何为善。他要求你的是什么呢？是要行公义，好怜悯，谦谦与你的神同行吗？”

[07:36] Micah 6:8. Not just to practice hesed occasionally, to love it, to make it the thing you are drawn to.
  弥迦书 6:8。不只是偶尔实践 hesed，去爱它，去让你被它吸引。

[07:43] But here is where the word gets even richer.
  但在这里，这个词变得更加丰富。

[07:46] Hesed is not only something God does.
  Hesed 不仅仅是上帝所做的。

[07:48] The Bible also uses it to describe what people do for each other, particularly inside covenant relationships.
  圣经也用它来描述人们为彼此所做的事情，尤其是在盟约关系之内。

[07:55] And the best example of this is a story most people know, but rarely connect to this word.
  而最好的例子是一个大多数人都知道，但很少与这个词联系起来的故事。

[08:00] The Book of Ruth is, at its core, a story about hesed.
  《路得记》的本质是一个关于 hesed 的故事。

[08:02] The word appears three times at three
  这个词出现了三次，在三个

[08:06] The word appears three times at three critical turning points, and each time it reveals a different dimension of what loyal love looks like when it is lived out.
  这个词出现在三个关键的转折点上，共出现三次，每一次都揭示了忠诚的爱在活出来时不同的一面。

[08:13] The first time is in Ruth 1:8.
  第一次出现在路得记1:8。

[08:16] Naomi is leaving Moab after losing her husband and both her sons.
  拿俄米在失去丈夫和两个儿子后正要离开摩押。

[08:20] She tells her two daughters-in-law to go back to their families.
  她告诉她的两个儿媳妇回到她们各自的家庭去。

[08:22] Before they part, she prays, "The Lord deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me."
  在她们分离之前，她祷告说：“愿耶和华恩待你们，如同你们恩待已故的人和待我一样。”

[08:30] That word kindly is hesed.
  那个“恩待”的词是hesed。

[08:33] Naomi recognizes that Ruth and Orpah have shown covenant loyalty to a family that can offer them nothing in return.
  拿俄米认识到路得和俄珥巴已经向一个无法给她们任何回报的家庭แสดง了盟约的忠诚。

[08:40] No future, no security, no sons, just grief.
  没有未来，没有保障，没有儿子，只有悲伤。

[08:45] Orpah weeps and goes home.
  俄珥巴哭了，然后回了家。

[08:48] Ruth stays.
  路得留了下来。

[08:48] Her famous declaration, "Where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge.
  她著名的宣告是：“你往哪里去，我也往哪里去；你在哪里住宿，我也在哪里住宿。

[08:55] Your people shall be my people, and your God my God."
  你的国就是我的国，你的神就是我的神。”

[08:58] Ruth 1:16 is not a romantic sentiment.
  路得记1:16不是一句浪漫的情话。

[09:02] It is a covenant oath.
  这是一个盟约的誓言。

[09:04] Ruth, a Moabite widow with no obligation to stay, chooses hesed.
  路得，一个摩押寡妇，没有留下来的义务，却选择了hesed。

[09:09] to stay, chooses hesed.
  留下，他选择了hesed。

[09:11] She chooses loyalty to a relationship that benefits her in no visible way.
  她选择忠于一段对她没有任何明显益处的感情。

[09:13] The second time hesed appears is in Ruth 2:20.
  hesed第二次出现是在路得记2:20。

[09:17] Ruth has been gleaning in the fields and comes home with an extraordinary amount of grain.
  路得一直在田间拾麦穗，回家时带回了数量惊人的谷物。

[09:22] Naomi asks where she worked, and when she hears the name Boaz, she says, "Blessed be he of the Lord, who has not forsaken his kindness to the living and the dead."
  拿俄米问她在哪里工作，当她听到波阿斯的When，她说：“愿那耶和华的恩惠与你同在，他没有对活人或死人失信。”

[09:32] The word kindness is hesed.
  “恩惠”这个词就是hesed。

[09:35] And notice who Naomi credits, not Boaz alone.
  请注意拿俄米归功于谁，不仅仅是波阿斯。

[09:39] She sees God's hesed working through Boaz's generosity.
  她看到上帝的hesed通过波阿斯的慷慨在发挥作用。

[09:43] She recognizes that behind the human act of kindness, there is a divine hand that has not stopped being loyal.
  她认识到，在人类的善举背后，有一只神圣的手从未停止忠诚。

[09:53] The third time is Ruth 3:10.
  第三次是路得记3:10。

[09:55] Ruth has gone to the threshing floor and asked Boaz to act as her kinsman redeemer.
  路得去了打谷场，请波阿斯作为她的至近亲属赎回者。

[09:59] Boaz responds, "Blessed are you of the Lord, my daughter, for you have shown more kindness at the end than at the beginning in that you did not go after young men, whether poor or rich."
  波阿斯回答说：“我女儿啊，愿耶和华赐福给你，你后来的恩惠比先前的更大，因为你没有跟从年轻的，无论是贫是富。”

[10:11] Again, the word is hesed.
  这个词又是hesed。

[10:13] Again, the word is hesed.
  这个词又是hesed。

[10:16] Boaz sees Ruth's decision to pursue a redeemer for Naomi's family, rather than chasing her own interests, as an act of hesed even greater than her original decision to stay with Naomi.
  波阿斯看到路得决定为拿俄米的家人寻找救赎者，而不是追求自己的利益，这是一种hesed的行为，甚至比她最初决定留在拿俄米身边还要伟大。

[10:20] hesed even greater than her original decision to stay with Naomi.
  hesed甚至比她最初决定留在拿俄米身边还要伟大。

[10:25] There is a detail about Boaz that most people overlook, and it makes the story even more layered.
  关于波阿斯有一个细节，大多数人都忽略了，这使得这个故事更加有层次。

[10:29] even more layered.
  更加有层次。

[10:31] Boaz was a descendant of Rahab, Matthew 1:5, the Canaanite woman from Jericho who hid Israel's spies and was brought into the covenant community because of her faith.
  波阿斯是喇合的后裔，马太福音1:5，那个耶利哥的迦南女人，她藏了以色列的探子，并因她的信心被带入约的群体。

[10:36] 1:5, the Canaanite woman from Jericho who hid Israel's spies and was brought into the covenant community because of her faith.
  1:5，那个耶利哥的迦南女人，她藏了以色列的探子，并因她的信心被带入约的群体。

[10:38] her faith.
  她的信心。

[10:41] So, Boaz himself was the product of someone else's story of grace and inclusion.
  所以，波阿斯本人是别人恩典和包容的故事的产物。

[10:43] someone else's story of grace and inclusion.
  别人恩典和包容的故事。

[10:46] A man whose own ancestor came into Israel from the outside is now extending that same welcome to another foreigner.
  一个祖先来自以色列以外的人，现在正向另一个外国人伸出同样的欢迎。

[10:48] Israel from the outside is now extending that same welcome to another foreigner.
  以色列以外的人，现在正向另一个外国人伸出同样的欢迎。

[10:54] Hesed has a memory.
  Hesed有记忆。

[10:55] It remembers what it received and passes it forward.
  它记得自己收到了什么，并将其传递下去。

[10:57] it forward.
  传递下去。

[10:59] And when Boaz acted as Ruth's kinsman redeemer, the Hebrew word is goel, he was filling a specific role outlined in the law of Moses.
  当波阿斯作为路得的至亲救赎者时，希伯来语是goel，他正在履行摩西律法中规定的特定角色。

[11:01] redeemer, the Hebrew word is goel, he was filling a specific role outlined in the law of Moses.
  救赎者，希伯来语是goel，他正在履行摩西律法中规定的特定角色。

[11:04] was filling a specific role outlined in the law of Moses.
  正在履行摩西律法中规定的特定角色。

[11:08] The goel was a close relative who stepped in to redeem what had been lost,
  goel是近亲，他会介入以赎回失去的东西，

[11:10] The goel was a close relative who stepped in to redeem what had been lost,
  goel是近亲，他会介入以赎回失去的东西，

[11:12] stepped in to redeem what had been lost, land, freedom, family continuity.
  挺身而出，赎回那些失去的，土地、自由、家庭的延续。

[11:15] land, freedom, family continuity.
  土地、自由、家庭的延续。

[11:17] He paid the price to restore what could not restore itself.
  他付出了代价，来恢复那些无法自我恢复的东西。

[11:19] Boaz did not have to do this.
  波阿斯不必这样做。

[11:22] There was actually a closer relative who had first right of redemption, and that man declined, Ruth 4:6.
  实际上有一个更近的亲戚，拥有优先赎回权，而那个人拒绝了，路得记 4:6。

[11:25] He weighed the cost and walked away.
  他权衡了代价，然后走开了。

[11:29] Boaz did not walk away.
  波阿斯没有走开。

[11:32] He chose to pay the full price.
  他选择支付全部的代价。

[11:34] He chose hesed.
  他选择了 hesed。

[11:38] What you are watching in the book of Ruth is hesed creating a chain reaction.
  你在路得记中所看到的，是 hesed 创造的连锁反应。

[11:39] Ruth shows hesed to Naomi.
  路得向拿俄米แสดง hesed。

[11:42] Naomi recognizes God's hesed working through Boaz.
  拿俄米认识到上帝的 hesed 通过波阿斯在运作。

[11:45] Boaz recognizes Ruth's hesed and responds with his own.
  波阿斯认识到路得的 hesed，并以自己的 hesed 回应。

[11:47] And behind all of it, God is orchestrating a plan that none of them can see.
  而在这一切背后，上帝正在策划一个他们都看不见的计划。

[11:49] Because the child born from this marriage, Obed, will become the grandfather of King David.
  因为从这段婚姻中出生的孩子俄备得，将成为大卫王的祖父。

[11:51] And from David's line will come Jesus Christ, the Messiah, Matthew 1:5-6.
  而耶稣基督，弥赛亚，将出自大卫的后裔，马太福音 1:5-6。

[11:53] God's hesed was at work in a barley field in Bethlehem centuries before that
  几百年前，在伯利恒的一个大麦田里，上帝的 hesed 就在运作。

[12:14] field in Bethlehem centuries before that same town would become the birthplace of.
  伯利恒的田地，在同一城镇成为...的出生地之前的几个世纪。

[12:16] same town would become the birthplace of the ultimate goel,
  同一城镇将成为最终救赎者的出生地，

[12:18] the ultimate goel, the one who would pay the full price to
  最终救赎者，那个将付出全部代价来

[12:20] the one who would pay the full price to redeem what could not redeem itself.
  那个将付出全部代价来救赎无法自我救赎之物。

[12:23] redeem what could not redeem itself.
  救赎无法自我救赎之物。

[12:24] If this is helping you see something new in scripture, consider becoming a
  如果这能帮助你在经文中看到新的东西，请考虑成为一名

[12:26] in scripture, consider becoming a channel member.
  经文中的频道会员。

[12:27] channel member.
  频道会员。

[12:29] That support is what makes it possible to keep digging into these texts week
  这种支持使得我们能够每周深入研究这些经文，

[12:31] to keep digging into these texts week after week.
  每周深入研究这些经文。

[12:33] after week.
  每周。

[12:35] To those of you who already are members, thank you.
  对于那些已经是会员的你们，谢谢你们。

[12:36] thank you.
  谢谢你们。

[12:39] You are part of every video we produce.
  你们是我们制作的每一个视频的一部分。

[12:41] There is another story that puts hesed on display in a way that might be the
  还有一个故事，它展示了hesed，其方式可能是

[12:42] on display in a way that might be the most vivid picture of the gospel in the
  展示，其方式可能是福音在

[12:44] most vivid picture of the gospel in the entire Old Testament.
  整个旧约中最生动的画面。

[12:47] entire Old Testament.
  整个旧约。

[12:50] It is found in 2 Samuel 9.
  它记载在撒母耳记下9章。

[12:51] So far, we have seen hesed declared on a mountain and lived out in a barley
  到目前为止，我们看到hesed在山上被宣告，并在麦田里被实践，

[12:53] mountain and lived out in a barley field.
  山上和麦田里。

[12:54] Now, it shows up at a king's table.
  现在，它出现在君王的餐桌上。

[12:57] Now, it shows up at a king's table.
  现在，它出现在君王的餐桌上。

[13:00] David has consolidated his kingdom. His enemies are defeated. He is secure on
  大卫巩固了他的王国。他的敌人被打败了。他坐在宝座上安然无忧，

[13:02] enemies are defeated. He is secure on his throne.
  敌人被打败了。他坐在宝座上安然无忧。

[13:04] his throne.
  宝座上。

[13:05] And in the middle of a string of military and political victories, the
  在一连串军事和政治胜利的中间，

[13:07] military and political victories, the narrative suddenly shifts.
  军事和政治胜利，叙事突然转变。

[13:10] narrative suddenly shifts.
  叙事突然转变。

[13:11] David asks a question that nobody expected.
  大卫问了一个出乎所有人意料的问题。

[13:13] expected.
  意料之外。

[13:13] "Is there still anyone who is left of
  “是否还有人留存于

[13:15] Is there still anyone who is left of the house of Saul that I may show him the house of Saul that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?
  扫罗家还剩下什么人吗？我可以向他施恩，为了约拿单的缘故吗？

[13:19] 2 Samuel 9:1.
  撒母耳记下 9:1。

[13:22] The word kindness is hesed.
  “恩慈”这个词是 hesed。

[13:24] And the phrase "for Jonathan's sake" is the key.
  而“为了约拿单的缘故”这句话是关键。

[13:28] Years earlier, David and Jonathan had made a covenant.
  多年前，大卫和约拿单立了约。

[13:32] Jonathan knew that David was God's chosen king and that his own father, Saul, would eventually lose the throne.
  约拿单知道大卫是神所拣选的王，而他自己的父亲扫罗最终会失去王位。

[13:38] So, Jonathan asked David to promise that when David came to power, he would not cut off his hesed from Jonathan's house.
  所以，约拿单请求大卫应许，当大卫掌权时，他不会断绝他对约拿单家的 hesed。

[13:45] 1 Samuel 20:14-15.
  撒母耳记上 20:14-15。

[13:48] David swore to it.
  大卫向他发誓了。

[13:51] Now, Jonathan is dead.
  现在，约拿单死了。

[13:53] Saul is dead.
  扫罗也死了。

[13:54] There is no political advantage in keeping this promise.
  遵守这个诺言没有任何政治上的好处。

[13:58] Nobody would have blamed David for forgetting it.
  没有人会责怪大卫忘记它。

[13:59] But David does not forget.
  但大卫没有忘记。

[14:01] He actively searches for someone to receive the hesed he promised.
  他积极寻找一个人来接受他所应许的 hesed。

[14:05] They find Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son, and his situation is devastating.
  他们找到了约拿单的儿子米非波设，他的处境很糟糕。

[14:09] He was 5 years old when news came that Saul and Jonathan had died in battle.
  当扫罗和约拿单战死的消息传来时，他才 5 岁。

[14:14] His nurse
  他的奶妈

[14:16] Jonathan had died in battle.
  乔纳森战死沙场。

[14:16] His nurse grabbed him and ran.
  他的保姆抓起他跑了。

[14:19] In the chaos, she grabbed him and ran.
  在混乱中，她抓起他跑了。

[14:19] In the chaos, she dropped him, and he was crippled in both feet, 2 Samuel 4:4.
  在混乱中，她摔了他，他双脚残疾，撒母耳记下 4:4。

[14:24] feet, 2 Samuel 4:4.
  脚，撒母耳记下 4:4。

[14:25] For years, he has been living in a place called Lo-debar.
  多年来，他一直住在名叫罗底巴的地方。

[14:28] The name means no pasture or nothing.
  这个名字的意思是没有牧场或什么都没有。

[14:31] He is a prince living in a wasteland, a forgotten heir with no throne, no land, and no future.
  他是一位住在荒原上的王子，一个被遗忘的继承人，没有王位，没有土地，也没有未来。

[14:38] When David's messengers show up, Mephibosheth is terrified.
  当大卫的使者出现时，米非波设非常害怕。

[14:43] In the ancient world, when a new king consolidated power, he executed every potential rival from the previous dynasty.
  在古代，当新国王巩固权力时，他会处决前朝的每一个潜在对手。

[14:49] Mephibosheth had every reason to expect death.
  米非波设完全有理由预料到死亡。

[14:54] Instead, David says three things that map perfectly onto what hesed does.
  相反，大卫说了三件事，这与hesed所做的完美契合。

[14:59] First, do not fear.
  第一，不要害怕。

[15:01] Second, I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan, your father's sake.
  第二，我必因你父亲乔纳森的缘故，向你施恩。

[15:06] Third, I will restore to you all the land of Saul, your grandfather, and you shall eat bread at my table continually, 2 Samuel 9:7.
  第三，我必将你祖父扫罗的一切土地都归还给你，你必永远在我桌上吃饭，撒母耳记下 9:7。

[15:14] Hesed seeks out.
  hesed主动寻找。

[15:16] David did not wait for Mephibosheth to come to him.
  大卫没有等米非波设来找他。

[15:16] He went looking.
  他主动去找。

[15:18] Come to him.
  来找他。

[15:18] He went looking.
  他去寻找了。

[15:18] Hesed restores.
  慈爱得以恢复。

[15:19] Hesed restores.
  慈爱得以恢复。

[15:19] David gave back everything that had been lost.
  大卫归还了所有失落的东西。

[15:22] Hesed elevates.
  慈爱得以提升。

[15:24] Hesed elevates.
  慈爱得以提升。

[15:24] He gave Mephibosheth a permanent seat at the king's table, the same status as a son.
  他赐给米非波设一个在王桌上的永久席位，与儿子同等的地位。

[15:29] Mephibosheth's response reveals how hard it is for people to receive this kind of love.
  米非波设的回应揭示了人们接受这种爱有多么困难。

[15:34] He falls on his face and says, "What is your servant that you should look upon such a dead dog as I?"
  他俯伏在地，说：“仆人算什么，竟敢劳您亲身垂顾，如同我这死狗一般？”

[15:38] 2 Samuel 9:8.
  撒母耳记下 9:8。

[15:42] He cannot fathom why the king would extend hesed to someone who brings nothing to the table.
  他无法理解为何王会向一个毫无价值的人施予慈爱。

[15:47] Literally nothing.
  字面上毫无价值。

[15:47] He is lame.
  他是瘸腿的。

[15:50] He is from the enemy's house.
  他来自敌人的家族。

[15:50] He is living in no pasture.
  他无处安身。

[15:54] He calls himself a dead dog, which in that culture was the lowest form of self-description imaginable.
  他称自己为死狗，在当时的文化中，这是能想象到的最低贱的自我描述。

[16:00] And David does not flinch.
  大卫毫不动摇。

[16:00] He does not qualify his offer.
  他不附加任何条件。

[16:02] He does not say, "Well, let us start with a trial period."
  他没有说：“好吧，我们先从试用期开始。”

[16:07] He seats Mephibosheth at his table.
  他让米非波设坐在他的桌旁。

[16:10] The chapter ends with a sentence that should stop you cold.
  本章以一句话结尾，这句话应该让你震惊。

[16:13] So, Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem, for he ate continually at the king's table, and he was lame in both his feet.
  于是，米非波设住在耶路撒冷，因为他一直吃王桌上的食物，而且他双脚都瘸了。

[16:20] and he was lame in both his feet, 2 Samuel 9:13.
  他双脚都有残疾，撒母耳记下 9:13。

[16:22] Samuel 9:13.
  撒母耳记下 9:13。

[16:22] He was still lame.
  他仍然是瘸腿的。

[16:23] He was still lame.
  他仍然是瘸腿的。

[16:23] Nothing about his condition changed, but
  他的状况没有任何改变，但是

[16:26] Nothing about his condition changed, but everything about his position changed.
  他的状况没有任何改变，但是他的地位却发生了翻天覆地的变化。

[16:28] everything about his position changed.
  他的地位却发生了翻天覆地的变化。

[16:28] That is hesed.
  这就是 hesed。

[16:29] That is hesed.
  这就是 hesed。

[16:29] It does not always remove the
  它并不总是能除去

[16:31] It does not always remove the brokenness, but it seats you at the
  它并不总是能除去破碎，但它仍然让你坐在

[16:32] brokenness, but it seats you at the table anyway.
  破碎，但它仍然让你坐在桌子旁。

[16:34] table anyway.
  桌子旁。

[16:34] There is one psalm that takes the
  有一首诗篇，它将

[16:36] There is one psalm that takes the concept of hesed and turns it into a
  有一首诗篇，它将 hesed 的概念变成了一个

[16:38] concept of hesed and turns it into a structure so deliberate, so repetitive,
  概念变成了一个如此刻意、如此重复的结构，

[16:40] structure so deliberate, so repetitive, that you cannot miss the point.
  结构，以至于你无法错过它的重点。

[16:43] that you cannot miss the point.
  以至于你无法错过它的重点。

[16:43] Psalm 136 is 26 verses long.
  诗篇 136 篇有 26 节。

[16:46] Psalm 136 is 26 verses long.
  诗篇 136 篇有 26 节。

[16:46] Every single verse ends with the same
  每一节的结尾都以相同的

[16:48] Every single verse ends with the same phrase, "For his hesed endures forever."
  每一节的结尾都以相同的短语“因他的慈爱永远长存”结束。

[16:51] phrase, "For his hesed endures forever."
  短语“因他的慈爱永远长存”。

[16:51] 26 times.
  26 次。

[16:53] 26 times.
  26 次。

[16:53] In Hebrew, the refrain is ki le'olam
  希伯来语中，副歌是 ki le'olam

[16:55] In Hebrew, the refrain is ki le'olam hasdo.
  希伯来语中，副歌是 ki le'olam hasdo。

[16:56] This was not a poem meant to be read
  这并非一首旨在被

[16:58] This was not a poem meant to be read silently. It was liturgical.
  这并非一首旨在被默读的诗歌。它是礼仪性的。

[17:00] silently. It was liturgical.
  默读的诗歌。它是礼仪性的。

[17:00] A worship leader would call out a reason
  一位敬拜领袖会呼喊一个感恩的理由，

[17:02] A worship leader would call out a reason to give thanks, and the entire
  一位敬拜领袖会呼喊一个感恩的理由，而整个

[17:04] to give thanks, and the entire congregation would answer back, "For his
  感恩的理由，而整个会众会回应说：“因他的

[17:06] congregation would answer back, "For his hesed endures forever."
  会众会回应说：“因他的慈爱永远长存。”

[17:08] hesed endures forever."
  慈爱永远长存。”

[17:08] And what makes this psalm so striking is
  而这首诗篇如此引人注目之处在于

[17:10] And what makes this psalm so striking is what it attaches hesed to.
  而这首诗篇如此引人注目之处在于它将 hesed 与什么联系起来。

[17:12] what it attaches hesed to.
  它将 hesed 与什么联系起来。

[17:12] Creation.
  创造。

[17:14] Creation.
  创造。

[17:14] "To him who by wisdom made the heavens,
  “那用智慧造天的那一位，

[17:16] "To him who by wisdom made the heavens, for his hesed endures forever."
  “那用智慧造天的那一位，因他的慈爱永远长存。”

[17:18] Psalm 136:5.
  诗篇 136:5。

[17:20] Deliverance.
  拯救。

[17:22] To him who struck Egypt in their firstborn, for his hesed endures forever.
  击杀埃及长子者的，因他的慈爱永远长存。

[17:29] Judgement.
  审判。

[17:30] But overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea, for his hesed endures forever.
  倾覆法老和他军队于红海的，因他的慈爱永远长存。

[17:38] Daily provision.
  每日供应。

[17:39] Who gives food to all flesh, for his hesed endures forever.
  他赐食物给一切血肉之躯的，因他的慈爱永远长存。

[17:46] The psalm covers everything from stars being formed to bread being placed on a table, and assigns the same motive to all of it, hesed.
  这诗篇涵盖了从星辰的形成到摆在桌上的食物的一切，并将同样的动机归于这一切，就是慈爱。

[17:55] There is nothing in the universe that exists outside of God's loyal love, and it endures forever.
  宇宙中没有一样东西存在于神的忠贞之爱之外，而且这爱永远长存。

[18:01] Not for a season.
  不是一时。

[18:03] Not until you mess up too badly.
  不是直到你犯下大错。

[18:05] Forever.
  永远。

[18:07] In Jewish tradition, this psalm has long been associated with the Passover feast.
  在犹太传统中，这诗篇长期以来一直与逾越节的筵席联系在一起。

[18:11] It was also sung at the dedication of Solomon's Temple, 2 Chronicles 7:3-6, and again when the exiles returned from Babylon and laid the foundation for the second Temple, Ezra 3:11.
  在所罗门圣殿落成时也曾吟唱，历代志下 7:3-6，当被掳的归回巴比伦并为第二圣殿奠基时也曾吟唱，以斯拉记 3:11。

[18:21] Second Temple, Ezra 3:11.
  第二圣殿，以斯拉记 3:11。

[18:23] In moments of great beginning and great return, Israel's worship centered on hesed because they knew everything good they had ever experienced traced back to this single attribute of God.
  在伟大的开始和伟大的回归的时刻，以色列的敬拜集中在hesed上，因为他们知道他们所经历的一切美好都追溯到上帝的这一单一属性。

[18:32] And maybe the most staggering use of hesed in the entire Old Testament comes from the prophet Jeremiah because he said it from the worst possible place.
  也许在整本旧约中，hesed最令人震惊的用法来自先知耶利米，因为他在最糟糕的情况下说出了它。

[18:41] Jerusalem had been destroyed.
  耶路撒冷已被摧毁。

[18:43] The Temple was in ruins.
  圣殿已成废墟。

[18:46] The people were dead or deported.
  人民已死亡或被驱逐。

[18:49] Everything Jeremiah had warned about had come true.
  耶利米所警告的一切都实现了。

[18:51] And sitting in the ashes of the city he loved, he wrote, "Through the Lord's mercies, we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
  他坐在他所爱的城市的灰烬中，写道：“主怜悯我们，我们不至消灭，是出乎耶和华的慈爱，是因他的怜悯不至断绝。

[18:58] They are new every morning.
  每早晨都是新的。

[19:01] Great is your faithfulness."
  你的诚实极其广大。”

[19:02] Lamentations chapter 3:22-23.
  耶利米哀歌 3:22-23。

[19:06] That word mercies is the plural of hesed.
  那个词“怜悯”是hesed的复数形式。

[19:10] In the middle of national catastrophe, Jeremiah's confidence was not in circumstances.
  在国家灾难之中，耶利米的信心不在于环境。

[19:14] It was in the character of God.
  它在于上帝的品格。

[19:17] Hesed did not prevent the disaster, but it survived the disaster.
  hesed并没有阻止灾难，但它在灾难中得以幸存。

[19:22] It survived the disaster.
  它在灾难中幸存了下来。

[19:23] And that is the difference between a love that depends on conditions and a love that depends on the one doing the loving.
  这就是有条件的爱与付出爱的那一方的爱之间的区别。

[19:31] God's hesed is not contingent on our performance.
  神的恩慈（hesed）并非取决于我们的表现。

[19:33] It is contingent on his character, and his character does not change.
  它取决于他的品格，而他的品格永不改变。

[19:37] The prophet Hosea adds yet another layer.
  先知何西阿又增加了一层含义。

[19:38] In Hosea chapter 6:6, God says something that Jesus himself would later quote twice,
  在何西阿书6章6节中，神说的话，耶稣自己后来引用了两次，

[19:45] "For I desire hesed and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings."
  “我喜爱良善（hesed），不喜爱祭祀，喜爱认识神，胜过喜爱燔祭。”

[19:51] God is not saying that sacrifices do not matter.
  神并不是说祭祀不重要。

[19:53] He is saying that going through religious motions without hesed, without genuine loyal love toward him and toward other people, is missing the entire point.
  他说，在没有恩慈（hesed）、没有对他和对他人真正的忠诚之爱的情况下，走宗教形式，是舍本逐末。

[20:03] Rituals without relationship are hollow.
  没有关系的仪式是空洞的。

[20:06] The context in Hosea makes this even sharper.
  何西阿书的上下文使这一点更加鲜明。

[20:08] God is speaking to a nation that is still showing up to the temple.
  神在对一个仍然去圣殿的国说话。

[20:13] They are still bringing their offerings.
  他们仍然献上祭物。

[20:15] The religious calendar is running on schedule, but their hearts have drifted.
  宗教的日程表仍在按时进行，但他们的心已经偏离了。

[20:20] Hosea chapter 6 verse 4 captures God's
  何西阿书6章4节抓住了神...

[20:22] Hosea chapter 6 verse 4 captures God's frustration.

[20:24] frustration. "Oh Ephraim, what shall I do to you? Oh

[20:27] "Oh Ephraim, what shall I do to you? Oh Judah, what shall I do to you?

[20:29] Judah, what shall I do to you? For your faithfulness is like a morning

[20:31] For your faithfulness is like a morning cloud, and like the early dew it goes

[20:33] cloud, and like the early dew it goes away."

[20:35] away." Their hesed toward God was evaporating

[20:37] Their hesed toward God was evaporating by mid-morning. They had the form

[20:39] by mid-morning. They had the form without the substance. And God says,

[20:42] without the substance. And God says, "I would rather have your loyal love

[20:44] "I would rather have your loyal love than a thousand burnt offerings from

[20:45] than a thousand burnt offerings from hands that do not know me."

[20:48] hands that do not know me." When Jesus quoted this verse in Matthew

[20:50] When Jesus quoted this verse in Matthew chapter 9 verse 13, he was sitting at a

[20:52] chapter 9 verse 13, he was sitting at a table with tax collectors and sinners.

[20:55] table with tax collectors and sinners. The Pharisees were scandalized, and

[20:57] The Pharisees were scandalized, and Jesus told them,

[20:59] Jesus told them, "Go and learn what this means. I desire

[21:01] "Go and learn what this means. I desire hesed and not sacrifice."

[21:04] hesed and not sacrifice." He did not say, "Go and review," or "Go

[21:07] He did not say, "Go and review," or "Go and remember." He said, "Go and learn,"

[21:10] and remember." He said, "Go and learn," as if they had never understood it in

[21:11] as if they had never understood it in the first place.

[21:13] the first place. The second time he quoted it in Matthew

[21:15] The second time he quoted it in Matthew chapter 12 verse 7, his disciples had

[21:17] chapter 12 verse 7, his disciples had been accused of breaking the Sabbath by

[21:19] been accused of breaking the Sabbath by picking grain.

[21:21] picking grain. Jesus' response was the same verse. In

[21:24] Jesus' response was the same verse. In both cases, the religious leaders were

[21:26] both cases, the religious leaders were prioritizing the external system over

[21:28] prioritizing the external system over the people standing in front of them.

[21:30] the people standing in front of them. And Jesus kept pointing back to the same

[21:32] And Jesus kept pointing back to the same word, hesed.

[21:34] word, hesed. God has always wanted loyal love more

[21:36] God has always wanted loyal love more than performance. And that raises a

[21:39] than performance. And that raises a question that connects everything we

[21:40] question that connects everything we have seen.

[21:41] have seen. If hesed is the word the Old Testament

[21:43] If hesed is the word the Old Testament uses to describe God's loyal covenant

[21:46] uses to describe God's loyal covenant love, what is the New Testament

[21:48] love, what is the New Testament equivalent?

[21:49] equivalent? The Greek translation of the Hebrew

[21:51] The Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, the Septuagint, consistently

[21:53] Bible, the Septuagint, consistently translated hesed with the Greek word

[21:55] translated hesed with the Greek word eleos, which means mercy or compassion.

[21:59] eleos, which means mercy or compassion. But the New Testament writers also

[22:00] But the New Testament writers also reached for another word, agape.

[22:03] reached for another word, agape. When Mark records Jesus teaching the

[22:05] When Mark records Jesus teaching the greatest commandments, he says to love

[22:07] greatest commandments, he says to love God with all your heart and love your

[22:10] God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself.

[22:11] neighbor as yourself. Mark chapter 12 verses 30 to 31.

[22:15] Mark chapter 12 verses 30 to 31. The word is agape, and it is doing the

[22:17] The word is agape, and it is doing the same job that hesed did in the Old

[22:19] same job that hesed did in the Old Testament, describing a love that is

[22:21] Testament, describing a love that is loyal, active, sacrificial, and

[22:24] loyal, active, sacrificial, and covenant-bound.

[22:26] covenant-bound. When John writes, "God so loved the

[22:28] When John writes, "God so loved the world," John chapter 3 verse 16, the

[22:32] world," John chapter 3 verse 16, the word is agape,

[22:33] word is agape, but the concept is hesed. God's loyal

[22:36] but the concept is hesed. God's loyal covenant love, active, pursuing,

[22:39] covenant love, active, pursuing, undeserved, and relentless,

[22:42] undeserved, and relentless, reaching into a broken world to seek and

[22:44] reaching into a broken world to seek and restore what was lost.

[22:46] restore what was lost. Jesus is hesed made flesh.

[22:49] Jesus is hesed made flesh. He is the loyal love of God walking into

[22:51] He is the loyal love of God walking into the mess. He sought out the lost the way

[22:54] the mess. He sought out the lost the way David sought out Mephibosheth.

[22:56] David sought out Mephibosheth. He sat at tables with sinners the way

[22:58] He sat at tables with sinners the way David seated a crippled heir.

[23:00] David seated a crippled heir. He restored what was broken. He elevated

[23:03] He restored what was broken. He elevated what was discarded.

[23:04] what was discarded. He did it not because of anything in us,

[23:07] He did it not because of anything in us, but because of the covenant between the

[23:08] but because of the covenant between the Father and the Son, and his hesed did

[23:11] Father and the Son, and his hesed did not end at the cross.

[23:13] not end at the cross. The book of Hebrews tells us that Christ

[23:16] The book of Hebrews tells us that Christ always lives to make intercession for

[23:18] always lives to make intercession for his people. Hebrews 7:25.

[23:22] his people. Hebrews 7:25. He is still acting, still advocating,

[23:24] He is still acting, still advocating, still extending loyal love.

[23:27] still extending loyal love. The hesed that was declared on Sinai,

[23:29] The hesed that was declared on Sinai, demonstrated in Bethlehem's fields, and

[23:31] demonstrated in Bethlehem's fields, and embodied in a Bethlehem manger, is still

[23:33] embodied in a Bethlehem manger, is still at work right now in a heavenly

[23:35] at work right now in a heavenly sanctuary on your behalf.

[23:38] sanctuary on your behalf. Here is what stays with me about hesed.

[23:41] Here is what stays with me about hesed. It redefines how you think about your

[23:42] It redefines how you think about your worst moments.

[23:44] worst moments. The golden calf was not the end of the

[23:46] The golden calf was not the end of the story.

[23:47] story. It was the backdrop for God's most

[23:49] It was the backdrop for God's most profound self-revelation.

[23:51] profound self-revelation. The darkest moment became the canvas for

[23:53] The darkest moment became the canvas for the clearest declaration of who God is.

[23:56] the clearest declaration of who God is. If God chose that moment to announce his

[23:58] If God chose that moment to announce his hesed, then there is no failure in your

[24:00] hesed, then there is no failure in your life that disqualifies you from being on

[24:02] life that disqualifies you from being on the receiving end of it.

[24:04] the receiving end of it. And then there is something else hiding

[24:05] And then there is something else hiding in this word that changes how you relate

[24:07] in this word that changes how you relate to the people around you.

[24:09] to the people around you. Hesed is contagious.

[24:11] Hesed is contagious. In the book of Ruth, one woman's loyal

[24:14] In the book of Ruth, one woman's loyal love set off a chain reaction that

[24:15] love set off a chain reaction that changed a family, a bloodline, and

[24:18] changed a family, a bloodline, and ultimately history itself.

[24:20] ultimately history itself. Ruth did not know she was shaping the

[24:22] Ruth did not know she was shaping the lineage of the Messiah when she refused

[24:24] lineage of the Messiah when she refused to leave Naomi's side.

[24:26] to leave Naomi's side. She was just being faithful. She was

[24:28] She was just being faithful. She was just showing hesed to the person in

[24:29] just showing hesed to the person in front of her.

[24:30] front of her. The ripple effects were God's business.

[24:33] The ripple effects were God's business. That means the small acts of covenant

[24:35] That means the small acts of covenant loyalty you show, staying when it would

[24:37] loyalty you show, staying when it would be easier to leave, forgiving when the

[24:39] be easier to leave, forgiving when the offense is real, being kind to someone

[24:41] offense is real, being kind to someone who brings nothing to the table, those

[24:43] who brings nothing to the table, those are not insignificant. They are hesed,

[24:46] are not insignificant. They are hesed, and you have no idea what God might

[24:48] and you have no idea what God might build from them.

[24:50] build from them. But maybe the part of hesed that stays

[24:52] But maybe the part of hesed that stays with me most is Mephibosheth at the

[24:54] with me most is Mephibosheth at the table.

[24:55] table. He was still lame. His feet did not get

[24:57] He was still lame. His feet did not get healed. His past did not get erased. His

[25:00] healed. His past did not get erased. His family history was still complicated.

[25:03] family history was still complicated. But the table covered all of it.

[25:05] But the table covered all of it. When you are seated at the king's table,

[25:07] When you are seated at the king's table, nobody looks at your feet. And that is

[25:09] nobody looks at your feet. And that is exactly where hesed puts you, not in a

[25:12] exactly where hesed puts you, not in a waiting room, not on probation, at the

[25:14] waiting room, not on probation, at the table, with access to the king,

[25:17] table, with access to the king, continually.

[25:19] continually. And here is where it gets personal.

[25:21] And here is where it gets personal. Mephibosheth was living in Lodebar, no

[25:23] Mephibosheth was living in Lodebar, no pasture.

[25:25] pasture. He had accepted that life. He had

[25:27] He had accepted that life. He had settled into scarcity. He was not

[25:29] settled into scarcity. He was not looking for David. He was not sending

[25:31] looking for David. He was not sending petitions to the palace.

[25:33] petitions to the palace. He had resigned himself to a life

[25:34] He had resigned himself to a life defined by what he had lost.

[25:36] defined by what he had lost. And David came anyway.

[25:38] And David came anyway. He did not wait for Mephibosheth to

[25:40] He did not wait for Mephibosheth to clean himself up, or prove his loyalty,

[25:42] clean himself up, or prove his loyalty, or earn his way to the capital.

[25:45] or earn his way to the capital. He sent for him as he was, from where he

[25:47] He sent for him as he was, from where he was.

[25:48] was. That is hesed. It does not wait for you

[25:50] That is hesed. It does not wait for you to get your life together before it

[25:52] to get your life together before it shows up.

[25:53] shows up. It shows up in Lodebar. It finds you in

[25:56] It shows up in Lodebar. It finds you in the place of nothing, and it brings you

[25:58] the place of nothing, and it brings you home.

[25:59] home. If you are in a season where it feels

[26:01] If you are in a season where it feels like Lodebar, where there is no pasture

[26:03] like Lodebar, where there is no pasture and no future and no reason for the king

[26:05] and no future and no reason for the king to even know your name, hesed says

[26:08] to even know your name, hesed says otherwise.

[26:09] otherwise. The covenant was not made because of

[26:11] The covenant was not made because of you. It was made for you. And the one

[26:13] you. It was made for you. And the one who made it does not forget.

[26:16] who made it does not forget. 26 times an ancient congregation looked

[26:18] 26 times an ancient congregation looked at creation, rescue, provision, and

[26:20] at creation, rescue, provision, and judgment, and said the same thing, "His

[26:23] judgment, and said the same thing, "His hesed endures forever."

[26:25] hesed endures forever." They said it about stars being formed

[26:27] They said it about stars being formed and seas being split. They said it about

[26:30] and seas being split. They said it about enemies being overthrown and food being

[26:32] enemies being overthrown and food being placed on their plates.

[26:34] placed on their plates. They said it when the temple was

[26:35] They said it when the temple was dedicated, and again when it was rebuilt

[26:37] dedicated, and again when it was rebuilt from ruins.

[26:39] from ruins. And they were right. Because hesed is

[26:41] And they were right. Because hesed is not a seasonal attribute. It is not a

[26:43] not a seasonal attribute. It is not a mood God is in when things are going

[26:45] mood God is in when things are going well. It is who he is.

[26:48] well. It is who he is. It is the word he chose when he stood in

[26:49] It is the word he chose when he stood in the smoke and the wreckage and told

[26:51] the smoke and the wreckage and told Moses, "This is my name. This is what I

[26:54] Moses, "This is my name. This is what I am like.

[26:55] am like. This is what will never change."

[26:58] This is what will never change." Every English translation keeps reaching

[27:00] Every English translation keeps reaching for it. Mercy, steadfast love, loving

[27:04] for it. Mercy, steadfast love, loving kindness, faithful love.

[27:06] kindness, faithful love. Each one catches a facet of the same

[27:08] Each one catches a facet of the same diamond. And together, they all point to

[27:11] diamond. And together, they all point to the same reality.

[27:13] the same reality. God's love is not like ours. It does not

[27:15] God's love is not like ours. It does not waver. It does not wait for you to earn

[27:17] waver. It does not wait for you to earn it. It does not leave when things fall

[27:20] it. It does not leave when things fall apart. It seeks. It restores. It seats

[27:23] apart. It seeks. It restores. It seats you at the table. And it endures

[27:25] you at the table. And it endures forever.

[27:27] forever. Subscribe if this changed how you see

[27:29] Subscribe if this changed how you see something in scripture.

[27:30] something in scripture. Leave a comment, even one word. Share

[27:33] Leave a comment, even one word. Share this with someone who needs to hear what

[27:35] this with someone who needs to hear what God's love really sounds like in the

[27:37] God's love really sounds like in the original language.

[27:38] original language. Pray for us as we keep digging into

[27:40] Pray for us as we keep digging into these texts. And may the hesed of the

[27:42] these texts. And may the hesed of the Lord follow you every day of your life.

[27:45] Lord follow you every day of your life. God bless you.