Loyal Love = Chesed, Ahavah and Long-Suffering Humility
I mentioned the following in a post in a different location. “The Hebrew language has its roots in root words. The Hebrew word for love, "ahavah," is rooted in the word "hav" (to give), suggesting that giving and selflessness are central to the concept of love.”
The Hebrew word for "loyal love" or "steadfast love" is "chesed", which contains concepts like kindness, mercy, covenant faithfulness, and loyalty. Imagine if marriage had the acts of this word and ahavah linked together to form one act that looks like long-suffering humility.
If our marriages resembled what is described in GOD's covenant Faithfulness and His unwavering Love for His people, even when they are unfaithful, how many of us would divorce? How many of those unions would want to put their relationship in such a vice?
Example: Exodus 34:6 describes GOD as "abundant in loyal love and truth" (chesed).
Example: Psalm 36:10 “Continue showing Your Loyal Love to those who know You, and Your Righteousness, to the upright in heart.“
NOTE: It would appear this verse emphasizes GOD's Steadfast Love and Righteousness towards those who are faithful and know Him. It highlights the relationship between divine kindness and the moral integrity of believers.
Example: Isaiah 54:10 "…for the mountains may move and the hills disappear, but even then, My Faithful Love for you will remain. My covenant of blessing will never be broken," says the LORD, Who has mercy on you.”
NOTE: That verse stresses GOD's unwavering love and commitment, assuring that even in times of change, His Love and covenant remain steadfast.
If our marriages were that intentional about sharing and persevering through the junk, who wouldn’t want to return to the love of this caliber? Some would/could say, “What a fool!” “I can do what I want, because he/she would seek to love me anyway, regardless of what I do.”
My question is, why would you want to risk destroying such a good thing, in hopes that he/she would never leave? The reality…? Once you destroy that type of relationship, you not only mess your own life up, but you would also likely taint the thinking and love that other person would have. He/she would likely walk away wondering, “What did I do wrong?” Could I have done more?”
Even worse…
“Why did I waste my time loving him/her, when all they wanted was a sorry and self-centered person who did not care for them or their relationship?”
The perpetrator (selfishly arrogant ex-spouse) now wanders through life angrily and sordidly in their thinking and ‘association’ choices in life. All efforts towards the opposite sex will now be fractured because of what they did to destroy the previous marriage, not what the other person did. What the power of selfish love can do is utterly amazing!