Inexpressible: Hesed and the Mystery of God's Lovingkindness

by Michael Card

Overview

God's identity is beyond what we could ever fully express in human words. But Scripture uses one particular word to describe the distinctiveness of God's character: the Hebrew word hesed. Hesed is a concept so rich in meaning that it doesn't translate well into any single English word or phrase. Michael Card unpacks the many dimensions of hesed, often expressed as lovingkindness, covenant faithfulness, or steadfast love. He explores how hesed is used in the Old Testament to reveal God's character and how he relates to his people. Ultimately, the fullness of hesed is embodied in the incarnation of Jesus. As we follow our God of hesed, we ourselves are transformed to live out the way of hesed, marked by compassion, mercy, and faithfulness. Discover what it means to be people of an everlasting love beyond words.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780830845491
Publisher:	InterVarsity Press
Publication date:	12/18/2018
Pages:	208
Sales rank:	486,656
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.20(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

In a career that spans 30 years, Michael Card has recorded over 31 albums, authored or co-authored over 24 books, hosted a radio program, and written for a wide range of magazines. An award-winning musician and performing artist, he has penned such favorites as "El Shaddai," "Immanuel" and many other songs. He has branched his ministry beyond music and written numerous books, including A Sacred Sorrow, A Violent Grace, The Parable of Joy and Sleep Sound in Jesus (a children's book). He has also written the Biblical Imagination Series, with a book and accompanying music CD for each of the four gospels. A graduate of Western Kentucky University with a bachelor's and master's degree in biblical studies, Card also serves as mentor to many younger artists and musicians, teaching courses on the creative process and calling the Christian recording industry into deeper discipleship. Card lives in Tennessee with his wife and four children.

Table of Contents

Preface: The Untranslatable Defining the Inexpressible
Introduction: A Word on the Meaning of Words

Part I. The God of Hesed
1. Opening the Door
2. The Definitive Encounter
3. Slow to Anger
4. Like No Other God
5. An Everlasting Refrain
6. A Prayer of Honest Rage

Part II. The Objects of Hesed
7. When Dinah Held My Hand
8. The Heseds of David
9. Ethan: “I Will Sing”
10. Moses: “In the Morning”
11. Jeremiah: “I Am Hesed”
12. Hosea: A Novel of Hesed

Part III. Hesed Finally Defined
13. Hesed and Truth
14. On Jesus’ Lips
15. How to Amaze Jesus
16. The One Who Showed Hesed
17. Paul and the Path to Redemption

Part IV. An Instinct for Hesed
18. Here, Rabbi, Take My Seat
19. Hesed in Post–AD 70 Judaism
20. Gemilut Hesed and Tikkun Olam

Conclusion: Do Justice, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly: The Monumental Nature of Kindness
Afterword
Appendix A: Occurrences of Hesed in Scripture
Appendix B: Comparison of Translations
Appendix C: A Vocabulary of Associated Words
Appendix D: For Further Study
Notes
Bibliography
Scripture Index

What People are Saying About This

Ginny Owens

"Michael Card brilliantly leads us to discover the heartbeat of hesed, as he gives language to this virtually undefinable word. When he first shared with me his basic definition of hesed—'When the person from which I have a right to expect nothing gives me everything'—I couldn't wait to learn more. I've been completely moved by this book: first, to explore and experience an aspect of God's character I never knew before, and second, to let his hesed inspire me to live hesed every day."

Russ Ramsey

"Michael Card has given his life to joining the wonder of Scripture with careful scholarship. He writes with the touch of an artist, the mind of a scholar, the heart of a pastor, and the reverence of a disciple. This book, focused on the character of a merciful God, is not just a book about words in Scripture—it is a thoughtful, beautiful meditation on the Word Incarnate himself, Jesus Christ. A wonderful book."

Jonathan Dodson

"Michael approaches the rich concept of God's hesed love from many different angles. The result is an edifying collection of reflections on the shocking, loyal, and limitless love of God in Christ for us and the world. Read it and you will not only learn but sing hesed!"

Editorial Reviews

"Michael Card has given his life to joining the wonder of Scripture with careful scholarship. He writes with the touch of an artist, the mind of a scholar, the heart of a pastor, and the reverence of a disciple. This book, focused on the character of a merciful God, is not just a book about words in Scripture—it is a thoughtful, beautiful meditation on the Word Incarnate himself, Jesus Christ. A wonderful book."

Russ Ramsey

"Michael approaches the rich concept of God's hesed love from many different angles. The result is an edifying collection of reflections on the shocking, loyal, and limitless love of God in Christ for us and the world. Read it and you will not only learn but sing hesed!"

Jonathan Dodson

"Michael Card brilliantly leads us to discover the heartbeat of hesed, as he gives language to this virtually undefinable word. When he first shared with me his basic definition of hesed—'When the person from which I have a right to expect nothing gives me everything'—I couldn't wait to learn more. I've been completely moved by this book: first, to explore and experience an aspect of God's character I never knew before, and second, to let his hesed inspire me to live hesed every day."

Ginny Owens