Ruth: A lesson in Hesed

Hesed is a Hebrew word that I first heard during my Old Testament Theology course.

The professor said it was a big deal and I should keep an eye out for it. So I did, and she was right.

And he said, “May you be blessed by the Lord, my daughter. You have made this last kindness greater than the first in that you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ru 3:10.

This is Boaz saying that Ruth is showing "Hesed" which is translated as kindness here.  And when he does so, he recalls her previous kindness in how she looked after Naomi back in chapter one.

The thing is, that same kindness is ascribed to YHWH too.

And Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “May he be blessed by the Lord, whose kindness has not forsaken the living or the dead!” Naomi also said to her, “The man is a close relative of ours, one of our redeemers.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ru 2:20.

This presents Ruth's actions as examples (not perfect replicas) of the same kindness and love of God.

The Steadfast love of the Lord

The other common translation of hesed in the Bible is "steadfast love".

This is shown in YHWH's actions toward other figures in the Bible. In fact, it occurs over 250 times in the Old Testament sometimes about YHWHs love, sometimes about other people like Ruth.

Basically, this self-giving, undeserved or expect and sacrificial love is a core part of how God interacts with his people.

You might also know it as Grace.

The love that goes beyond what is required

Can you imagine doing what Ruth did?

Leaving her home, her family, and her people to be with her mother-in-law? Even after her mother-in-law released her from any implied obligation, she still stayed committed.

It's significant that Orpah, the other daughter-in-law, is never given a negative judgement in the story for her decision to return home. Ruth's actions aren't meeting a minimum level of morality or societal obligation but going far beyond.

Poignantly, Boaz likewise goes beyond his obligations.

Not only does he leave the edges of the field for Ruth but he invites her to the worker's table and lets her eat till she is full.

In the end, his actions result in the whole community being blessed and rejoicing.

An invitation into Hesed

The book of Ruth is full of wonderful examples that point us to Christ and how we should live on earth.

Jesus is the truer picture of steadfast and sacrificial love that goes beyond what is required. The Hesed actions of Ruth and Boaz bring about Jesus' family tree and are a part of his lineage.

Ruth invites us to both gaze upon Jesus and his love for us, and invites us to partake in the same costly love.