What does ‘steadfast love’ do?

‘Hesed’ love bears witness

People notice. People have obviously been talking about Ruth’s kindness to Naomi, because Boaz says this:

“All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before.” Ruth 2:11.

People notice this kind of love. Its commitment stands out as different in a world where so much of what is called love is self-seeking and shallow.

‘Hesed’ love restores hope

When Ruth returns home after her first day in the fields and reports to Naomi all that has happened, Naomi exclaims: “May he be blessed by the Lord, whose kindness (‘hesed’ love) has not forsaken the living (Naomi) or the dead (Elimilech)!” (2:20).

There is some debate as to whether Naomi is talking about the kindness of Boaz or the kindness of the Lord here and some believe that it is intentionally ambiguous – for the kindness of Boaz illustrates the kindness of the Lord.  

This should not surprise us, for human kindness reflects the kindness that God shows to his people.

So Naomi is transformed. It is as if she was living among the dead and now she is living among the living – with renewed hope. Ruth’s ‘hesed’ love has renewed her hope. The kindness of Boaz has reminded her of the kindness of the Lord. It has allowed her to dare to believe that God’s loving kindness has not forsaken her.

Life’s circumstances have broken Naomi and here is her interpretation of events: God has brought calamity on me, God has brought me back empty. God’s hand has gone out against me. How does God respond to Naomi?

Paul Miller suggests that ‘in the context of the whole book of Ruth, Ruth’s love is God’s response to Naomi’s lament. God often uses human agents to show his love’. Ruth weeps with Naomi, she cares for her, she doesn’t leave her alone, she provides for her, she shows her the kindness – the ‘hesed’ love – of God. 

And that, incidentally, is a beautiful lesson of how we can come alongside someone who is broken by life’s losses. At that stage, they don’t need our theology. They need our tears, our love, our presence. We can show them the love of God when they have lost sight of it, just as Ruth does for Naomi.

‘Hesed’ love leads to worship

The end of Naomi’s life is a cause for worship and celebration as God provides a redeemer for Naomi, a husband for Ruth, and then a little baby who will carry on the family line:Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel! He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.”. Ruth 4:14,15.

The community of women around Naomi see what God has done. They see that his gracious act of redemption has restored Naomi’s life and will nourish her in her old age. And they worship God.

This biblical patten of strength from weakness, glory from brokenness, was written long before another humble woman from the same insignificant town of Bethlehem was the head of another royal dynasty. Paul Miller

For of course this little baby who has been born is an ancestor of our Redeemer, the One who demonstrates ‘hesed’ love perfectly. As the village women gathered to worship God for what he had done for Ruth and Naomi in the provision of redemption, so we worship God for what he has done in providing redemption for us.

Like a many-faceted diamond, we have thought about ‘hesed’ love. All of these attributes are seen perfectly in God, for ‘hesed’ love is God’s love.

Why don’t you take a few minutes to reflect on the ‘hesed’ love of God?

Think over the past week or two. How can you trace the ‘hesed’ love of God in the events and circumstances of your life? Take time to thank God for whatever he reveals to you.

Think about your relationships with others. How do you think God would like you to express his ‘hesed’ love in your relationships? Ask God for his help to do that.

Let the one who is wise heed these things and ponder the steadfast love (‘hesed’) of the Lord. Psalm 107:43