Nisan 30
Chasing After
“Only goodness and
kindness follow me
…” (Ps 23:6 ISR)
“Goodness” has
been defined by Noah Webster as “the physical qualities which constitute value,
excellence or perfection; Kindness; benevolence.”[1] Goodness has also been listed as one of the
nine fruit of the Ruach, the
Set-Apart Spirit, fruit that we are to cultivate and display in our lives, and
in our relationship with others. (see Gal 5:22-23) We know and understand that when we walk in and with this character trait, we are pleasing to our Elohim (Rom 12:2),
for He Himself is “good” (Mat 19:17).
The Hebrew word that has been translated in this
verse as “kindness” is the word chêsêd (Strong’s #H2617), and implies much more
than just “kindness”. Found within this
word is the sense of commitment to the individual you are showing kindness to, such as a mother to her baby, or
even the relationship that our Elohim has with us, those of us who walk in
right relationship with Him. The KJV translates chêsêd,
for the most part, as either “loving-kindness” (Ps 17:7; 25:6) or “mercy” (Deu
5:10; Ps 100:5; Lam 3:22), and both are correct.
What has very much jumped out at me in our opening passage is the word
that has been translated as “follow”.
The Hebrew word is râdaph (Strong’s #H7291), and means to chase after,
pursue with the intent of overtaking.
With this thought in mind, let us look again at this portion of
Scripture. Goodness (kindness and
benevolence) and kindness (mercy and loving-kindness) are chasing after me,
with the intent of overtaking and capturing me in their pursuit. I cannot answer for the rest of you, but I
believe for this type of scenario, I would willingly stand still, that I might
be overtaken …
“And יהוה passed before him and
proclaimed, “יהוה, יהוה, an Ěl compassionate and
showing favour, patient, and GREAT IN KINDNESS and truth, WATCHING OVER KINDNESS for thousands, forgiving crookedness and
transgression and sin, but by no means leaving unpunished, visiting the
crookedness of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children to the
third and the fourth generation.” (Ex
34:6-7 ISR, emphasis mine)
“For You, יהוה, are GOOD, and ready to forgive, And great in KINDNESS to all
those who call upon You.” (Ps 86:5 ISR,
emphasis mine)
©2018
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