How has the Lord loved them with an “everlasting love”?

The two Hebrew words aheb and hesed, translated as love and faithfulness are very important covenant words.¹ They form the foundation of the Lord’s relationship with his people (see Deuteronomy 4:37; Deuteronomy 7:8, Deuteronomy 7:12, Deuteronomy 7:13; Deuteronomy 10:14, Deuteronomy 10:15). He has loved them with an everlasting love from the very beginning. It is because of this love that he has continued in his faithfulness to Israel, despite the nations ongoing rebellion and unfaithfulness. The Hebrew word masak, translated as continued can also mean to draw or to drag. Hosea uses it in this way of the Lord when he writes, I led them with chords of kindness (Hosea 11:4). The implication is that the person being drawn is resisting and not co-operating. Israel’s return and restoration from exile is only possible because of the Lord’s faithfulness and despite the stubborn unfaithfulness of the people.²