GOD IS LOVE - A JEWISH CONCEPT
Exodus 34:6-7 is called THE 13 ATRIBUTES OF יהוה (might be translated YAH VAY not YAH WAY - no "w" sound in Hebrew) this done by the rabbis of orthodox rabbinic Judaism after the Temple was destroyed in 70 A.D. Below is a chart from www.CalledOutBelievers.org showing how the rabbis came up with the 13.
Each of the attributes has a precise interpretation. Check out the link to an excellent artice as to how the rabbis understood each of the attributes.
From "My Jewish Learning" - https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/the-13-attributes-of-mercy/
Chesed (חֶסֶד) and Agape (ἀγάπη) - synonyms?
It is easy to search for the definitions of Agape and Chesed. When one sudies these words we find they seem to be synonyms from the Greek and Hebrew. Chesed (חֶסֶד) is a profound Hebrew word (not easily translated into the English) that beautifully encapsulates God's character. While it has been translated into English as "lovingkindness," "steadfast love," "mercy," or "covenant loyalty", it ultimately means an active, relentless, and unbreaking love. It describes a devotedness that goes far beyond what is required.
Jesus taught the parable of the "GOOD SAMARITAN" and this is an example of AGAPE and CHESED. Check out the links to the two five minute Bible study videos I did on this parable. The vidoes also go into the probable location of the parable since the ruins of an inn was discovered on a specific road coming rom Jericho to Jerusalem. If you haven't seen these videos, don't miss them.
Link 1 -
https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/five-small-stones-18-part-1-the-geography-of-the-good-samaritan/
Link 2 - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/five-small-stones-18-par-2-geography-of-the-good-samaritan/
In Judaism, chesed is recognized as one of God's thirteen attributes. It is the foundation of His actions toward humanity—showing grace by providing what we do not deserve, and showing mercy by withholding the punishment we do.
Agape itself is a Greek word (ἀγάπη) used in the New Testament to describe selfless, unconditional, and divine love. Because it is Greek, it doesn't have a direct Hebrew equivalent. However, the exact Hebrew counterpart to this concept is Ahava (אַהֲבָה), which also means deep, active, and devoted love.
While ahava is the general term for love, biblical Hebrew also uses Chesed (חֶסֶד), which is frequently translated as loving-kindness, mercy, or unfailing covenantal love. Chesed is the Old Testament equivalent to the sacrificial, action-oriented love that agape represents in the New Testament.
An interesting article that discusses Agape and Chesed can be found at the link below ...
https://aleteia.org/2024/11/29/from-ahavah-to-agape-the-meanings-of-love-in-scripture/
In this podcast the issue came up related to the words in the verse Exod. 34:7 ...
"... yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations." (Exo 34:7)
So the question is does God punish the descendants of the sinful father for the father's sin. I addressed in detail when we studied the Ten Commandments and I did not want to teach it again. Also, in this lesson we studied the understanding of the English word "WORSHIP" and the question is God jealous? How can He be jealous? Jealousy is a negative human trait. What's going on? The entire lesson on these concepts & questions can be found in the podcasts linked below ...
Link - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/exodus-47-lesson-6-exod-204-6-this-sin-is-a-big-deal/
Finally we found that the rabbis saw a connection between Moses and the Messiah. Their connection was too limited. The connection is too awesome. Moses is a paradigm of the Messiah, one who is like Jesus. I mentioned a podcast i have done that goes into this in a detailed study. Here's the link ...
https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/the-gospel-according-to-moses-exodus-lesson-11-exod-41-12-moses-messiah-and-the-mirroe/
Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?
(Ferret - somewhere in the Galilee)
What's his background? Why should I listen to him? Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0
