Ruth

Love and loyalty. There is a Hebrew word that embodies these two qualities: hesed. It is an essential characteristic of God. He is loyal. He is love. But hesed is a word of greater depth than what love and loyalty describe. Hesed goes beyond feeling, and motivates the one to merciful and compassionate behavior toward others. Hesed is God standing by his chosen people when they turned their backs on him time and again on their way from Egypt to the Promised Land. Hesed is God choosing to bring his people out of captivity back to the Promised Land after they were exiled because of their repeated sin. Hesed is what prompted God to put on flesh and dwell among his people, to become a living breathing demonstration of God’s covenant loyalty. Hesed is what the story of Ruth is all about. Ruth teaches us that love, loyalty, mercy and compassion aren’t exclusive to one gender, one race, or one culture. It flows from the One who is the ultimate expression of covenant loyalty: God.

09.03.17 - Love and Loyalty
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09.10.17 - Expect the Unexpected
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09.17.17 - Step Boldly, Walk Faithfully
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09.24.17 - Join the Family
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