Different From Love And Loyalty

Loving-kindness, or loyal love, is closely related to the qualities of love and loyalty. Yet, it differs from them in important ways. Consider how loving-kindness and love differ. Love can be extended to things and concepts. The Bible speaks of "loving wine and oil" and "loving wisdom." (Proverbs 21:17; 29:3) But loving-kindness has to do with people, not concepts or inanimate things. For instance, people are involved when Exodus 20:6 says that Jehovah is "exercising loving-kindness toward the thousandth generation."

The Hebrew word rendered "loving-kindness" is also more encompassing than the word "loyalty." In some languages, "loyalty" is often used for the attitude a subordinate should show toward a superior. But as one researcher notes, from a Biblical standpoint, loving-kindness "refers more often to just the opposite direction of relationship: the powerful is loyal to the weak or needy or dependant." King David could therefore petition Jehovah: "Do cause your face to shine upon your servant. Save me in your loving-kindness." (Psalm 31:16) Jehovah, the powerful one, is asked to show loving-kindness, or loyal love, to the needy one, David. Since the needy have no authority over the powerful, the loving-kindness shown in such a case is displayed willingly, not under compulsion.

"Who is wise?" asked the psalmist. "He will...show himself attentive toward Jehovah's acts of loving-kindness." (Psalm 107:43) Jehovah's loving-kindness can result in deliverance preservation. (Psalm 6:4; 119:88, 159) It is a protection and a factor bringing relief from troubles. (Psalm 31:16, 21; 40:11; 143:12) Because of this quality, recovery from sin is possible. (Psalm 25:78) By reviewing certain Scriptural narratives and noting other Bible texts, we will see that Jehovah's loving-kindness is (1)expressed by specific actions and (2) experienced by his faithful servants.

Next time: Deliverance-An Expression Of Loving-Kindness