LOVE --- PART 1

Love is a very important idea for every believer. Yeshua taught that the greatest Commandments were to love YHVH and to love our neighbours. He said that those two Commandments summed up all the Commandments that Elohim gave to Moses. In the same way, people like Paul and John wrote how love should be a major part of every believer’s life. Because it is such an important idea to understand, it is helpful to see what the Bible tells us about love.

IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
In the Old Testament, sexual love is talked about in the stories of Adam and Eve, Jacob and Rachel and in the Song of Songs. A higher form of love, involving loyalty, steadfastness and kindness, is expressed by the Hebrew word HESED, which is sometimes translated as -- loyalty -- 2 Samuel 22:26. More often however, this Hebrew word is translated as -- steadfast love or loving-kindness. The true meaning of this significant word is clear in -- Hosea 2:19-20: I will make you My wife forever, showing you righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion. I will be faithful to you and make you Mine and you will finally know Me as Adonai. The meaning is also clear in -- Job 6:14-15; where kindness is contrasted with treachery and evil and in -- 1 Samuel 20:8; which described a loving-kindness based on a Covenant. This unshakable, steadfast love of Elohim is contrasted with the unpredictable moods of the idols that some people worshiped. The Hebrew word hesed is not an emotional response to beauty, merit or kindness. Instead, it is a moral attitude dedicated to another person’s good, even if that other person is not lovable, worthy or responsive -- Deuteronomy 7:7-9. This enduring loyalty, rooted in an unswerving purpose to do good things, could be stern. In the Old Testament, many of the prophets warned the people of Israel that YHVH in His love, was determined to discipline His people if they disobeyed Him. But even with discipline, Elohim’s love does not change. During the years when the people of Israel were in exile, YHVH’s love persisted with infinite patience. YHVH did not abandon the Israelites even when they were disobedient. YHVH’s love has within it kindness, tenderness and compassion -- Psalms 86:15;103:1-18; 136 and Hosea 11:1-4. However, its chief characteristic is a moral obligation for another person’s well being. Even though |Elohim’s love was unconditional, He did expect the Israelites to respond to His Loving Acts. YHVH’s Law encouraged the Israelites to be grateful for His redemption of the Israelites -- Deuteronomy 6:20-25. YHVH expected the people of Israel to show this by being kind to the poor, the defenceless, the foreigners among them, slaves, widows and all people who were suffering from any type of cruelty. Hosea similarly expected steadfast love among the people of Israel to result from the steadfast love YHVH had shown for the Israelites -- Hosea 6:6, 7:1-7 and 10:12-13. Because of this, love for YHVH and for -- your neighbour as yourself -- Leviticus 19:18 are linked in Israel’s Law and prophecy. While there are other types of love described in the Old Testament, the most important type of love described in the Old Testament was based around three main ideas: YHVH’s love for the Israelites, the moral quality of love and the close relationship between love for YHVH and loving one’s neighbour.

IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
Of all the Greek words used to describe love -- eros -- which means sexual love, does not occur in the New Testament. The Greek word -- Phileo -- which means natural affection, occurs about twenty-five times, and Philadelphia, which is used to describe brotherly love, occurs about five times. Storge; a Greek word used to describe natural affection between relatives, also appears occasionally. By far the most frequent Greek word for love used in the New Testament is agape. Agape refers to moral goodwill that comes from respect, principle or duty rather than attraction. Agape is very similar in meaning to the Hebrew word hesed because both of them involve a sense of dedication. Agape specifically means to love the undeserving, despite disappointment and rejection. Agape is especially appropriate for divine love.

IN THE SYNOPTIC GOSPELS
In a sinful and suffering world, Yeshua demonstrated His Divine Love through His compassion and His acts of healing for people in distress. He also showed great concern for people who were alienated and in despair. Because of this, the Kingdom Yeshua spoke about offered good news to the poor, captives, blind and the oppressed -- Matthew 11:2-5, Luke 4:18. In addition, the attitude Yeshua had toward people who were despised or grieving assured them of forgiveness and a welcome return to YHVH’s family -- Luke 15. Yeshua's forgiveness was free and He only required people to accept it by being repentant and faithful. In addition, the love Yeshua taught carries its own obligations. People who want to practice the believers love may love YHVH and love others in the same way Elohim does -- Matthew 5:44-48. The first and greatest Commandment in YHVH’s Law is -- You shall love YHVH Elohim... And a second is like it; You shall love your neighbour as yourself. On these two Commandments depend all the Law and the prophets -- Matthew 22:35-40; see also Leviticus 19:18 and Deuteronomy 6:5. The first Commandment is not identical with, lost in or simply fulfilled by the second Commandment. These Commands are separate Laws. Yeshua's ideas about loving YHVH are clearly illustrated by His own habits of public worship, private prayer and absolute obedience to YHVH’s will. Love for one’s neighbour is not specifically defined anywhere, but there are numerous examples of what it is. In the parable of the good Samaritan, Yeshua shows that a -- neighbour -- is anyone near enough to help and love involved whatever service that neighbour’s situation demanded. The parable of the sheep and goats shows that love includes feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and people in prison. And in Yeshua's life, we learn that love heals, teaches, defends people who are despised, grants forgiveness and comforts people in pain. We are to love others as He has loved us. This type of love does good works without expecting anything in return, never returns evil with evil and practices thoughtful understanding that tempers judgment. To Yeshua, the worst type of sin was the refusal to love. This included the refusal to do good, ignoring destitute people at one’s own gate and withholding forgiveness. Lovelessness was made worse by self-righteousness and ignoring other people’s distress in order to preserve a petty ritual or regulation. In the end, Yeshua said that obedience to the Law of love will determine each person’s eternal destiny -- Matthew 25:31-46.