Outsider to Ancestor

Hesed’s Role in Rahab’s Transformation

By: Betsy Borella

What is “hesed”?

Since beginning our chronological study of the Bible, my Bible study groups have joked about how the Word seems like a TV detective’s wall of photos connected by red string. Inevitably, all strings lead back to God’s character both in the Old and New Testaments. During my study of Rahab, I have realized the red string, like Rahab’s red cord, is a symbol of God’s loving faithfulness touching each part of His story.

This specific type of love is mentioned 250 times in the Old Testament as “hesed,” “chesed,” or “khesed.” Since we do not have a word in English to encompass the loyal, actively kind, unfailing, covenantal love of hesed, our Bibles simply call it “love.” However, hesed is no ordinary love. It’s defined as lovingkindness, absolute fidelity, and unwavering constancy of love bound up in kindness, compassion, forgiveness, and blessings. I was so fired up about “hesed” when I learned the meaning, and I am so excited to share this truth with you!

Hesed crosses boundaries.

Hesed is not a reward for insiders; it’s the reason outsiders become insiders. It is not limited by background, reputation, or past. We see active hesed personified by Jesus in the New Testament. The Samaritan woman at the well, the many healed by Him, the tax collectors he dined with, the list goes on… In Hosea 2:19-20, God tells us:

“I will take you as my wife forever, I will take you to be my wife in righteousness, justice, love, and compassion. I will take you to be my wife in faithfulness, and you will know the Lord.”

This seems like a declaration of intent to save His lost sheep: “You WILL know the Lord.” Nothing will separate Him from us, there is no boundary. His hesed is a promise that will not waiver based on our actions. Hesed is less about the recipient and more about the giver. It is who they are. If we described God’s character in one word, it would be “hesed.”

Hesed is recognized before it is received.

Sometimes we respond to God’s hesed based on what we’ve heard before we fully experience it. Psalm 136 cites hesed 26 times and illustrates the ways in which God has shown hesed to His people. Verses 13-22 likely outline what Rahab had heard and knew about the God of Israel:

He divided the Red Sea,

His faithful love endures forever.

and led Israel through,

His faithful love endures forever.

but hurled Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea.

His faithful love endures forever.

He led his people in the wilderness.

His faithful love endures forever.

He struck down great kings

His faithful love endures forever.

and slaughtered famous kings---

His faithful love endures forever.

Sihon king of the Amorites

His faithful love endures forever.

and Og king of Bashan---

His faithful love endures forever.

and gave their land as an inheritance,

His faithful love endures forever.

an inheritance to Israel his servant.

His faithful love endures forever.

In Exodus 32:11-13 & Numbers 14:19, Moses intercedes on behalf of the Israelites. Reminding God of how His character is rooted in hesed. He expresses how it would look for God to bring the Israelites from Egypt just to slaughter them in the wilderness. Moses knew God’s hesed, evidenced by the liberation and sustainment of his people, would serve as a beacon of truth all the way to the Promised Land. So much so that Rahab knew they would come and knew God would be victorious. She had already realized the power of hesed before she had ever stood in its light. She chose to be loyal, compassionate, and steadfast as soon as she had the opportunity, offering a hiding place for the spies and accepting God’s invitation to obedience and action.

Hesed is mutual (covenantal)

Joshua 2:12 is a rare instance where hesed is explicitly requested between people, mirroring God’s covenant love:

“Now then, please swear to me by the Lord that you will show kindness (hesed), to my family…”

Later, in Joshua 6:22-25, we see hesed is not just promised, but it comes at a cost. God honors covenantal loyalty, even from outsiders! During the Covid-19 pandemic, I watched a lot of films and shows about the Mafia. I am by no means an expert, but after screening The Sopranos, The Irishman, and Good Fellas, one thing I do know is that no matter how many risks you take for the “family,” you will not be a “made man” in the ranks unless you can prove Sicilian heritage. No outsiders, no matter the cost they have paid. The loyalty of hesed goes beyond ancestral, cultural, or ritualistic experience. God accepts his covenantal hesed is not always reciprocated. As hesed is at the core of God’s character, he wants our hesed in return, but his hesed will remain regardless of our actions.

Hesed yields rewritten identity.

Hesed doesn’t just save. It restores and reassigns purpose. Hesed is for yesterday, today, and tomorrow. We see the transformation in Rahab as she joins Israel, weds Salmon, mothers Boaz, and is then recorded in the Hall of Faith in Hebrews and various other places in the New Testament. Hesed brings an overwhelming generosity and enduring commitment to another. This often recalls Ruth staying with Naomi, her first mother-in-law, after they were both widowed. Staying with Naomi demonstrated hesed as part of Ruth’s character, eventually leading her right into Boaz’s hesed, later becoming his wife, Rahab’s daughter-in-law, and an ancestor to Jesus.

In Conclusion

Just as Rahab’s red cord marked her home, God’s hesed marks His people. When you take a step back and survey the Bible as a crazy-detective-string-spider-web, I hope you see how God’s hesed has touched your life as a realizer, a receiver, and a giver. The best picture we will ever have of God’s hesed is Jesus coming to Earth in loyal love and faithfulness. We know hesed when we experience the purity and power of God’s love through the life, death, and resurrection of His son. Fully human, fully God, overflowing with a lovingkindness that we could never earn. As we consider God’s word and His faithfulness from beginning to end, let us also consider how we can show hesed back to God and the people around us.