Inexpressible: Hesed and the Mystery of God’s Lovingkindness

by Michael Card

Publisher:

IVP

, 2018

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.

Key Features

• Examines the immediate context of hesed in a number of passages
• Explores the signigicance and implications of God’s lovingkindness
• Analyzes the benefits and shortcomings of word background studies

Contents

Part I. The God of Hesed

• Opening the Door
• The Definitive Encounter
• Slow to Anger
• Like No Other God
• An Everlasting Refrain
• A Prayer of Honest Rage

Part II. The Objects of Hesed

• When Dinah Held My Hand
• The Heseds of David
• Ethan: “I Will Sing”
• Moses: “In the Morning”
• Jeremiah: “I Am Hesed”
• Hosea: A Novel of Hesed

Part III. Hesed Finally Defined

• Hesed and Truth
• On Jesus’ Lips
• How to Amaze Jesus
• The One Who Showed Hesed
• Paul and the Path to Redemption

Part IV. An Instinct for Hesed

• Here, Rabbi, Take My Seat
• Hesed in Post–AD 70 Judaism
• Gemilut Hesed and Tikkun Olam

Top Highlights

“Hesed: When the person from whom I have a right to expect nothing gives me everything.” (Page 5)

“In Genesis hesed indicates an exceptional favor from God, something that has not been earned but graciously given.” (Page 9)

“Linguistic scholars have begun to believe that there is no cognate in any other ancient language for the word hesed.¹ It is a uniquely Hebrew word. Perhaps the reason for this is not linguistic but spiritual. Perhaps the reason no other language possesses a word that can capture the full meaning of hesed is that in all other cultures this particular idea never existed.” (Page 42)

“This book is founded on this inexpressible mystery in general and on perhaps the most mysterious and inexpressible word of all, the Hebrew word hesed.” (Page 1)

“In Proverbs hesed is mentioned primarily as something lacking in humans” (Page 10)

Praise for the Print Edition

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, singer and songwriter

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, lead pastor, City Life Church, author of Here in Spirit

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, pastor, author, Retelling the Story Series

Product Details

• Title: Inexpressible: Hesed and the Mystery of God’s Lovingkindness
• Author: Michael Card
• Publisher: IVP
• Publication Date: 2018
• Pages: 208
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Topic: Doctrine of God

About Michael Card

Michael Card has recorded over thirty-one albums, authored or coauthored over twenty-four 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 Scribbling in the Sand, 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.