Handywork
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Definition and Usage:
The term "handywork" refers to the work or craftsmanship of one's hands. In a biblical context, it often denotes the creative and purposeful acts of God, highlighting His power, wisdom, and attention to detail. The concept of handywork underscores the divine craftsmanship evident in creation and the works of God throughout history.

Biblical References:

1. Creation as God's Handywork:
The most prominent reference to God's handywork is found in the Psalms. Psalm 19:1 declares, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands." This verse emphasizes that the natural world is a testament to God's creative power and serves as a visible manifestation of His glory. The heavens and the earth are often cited as the ultimate examples of divine handywork, showcasing the intricate and majestic nature of God's creation.

2. Human Beings as God's Creation:
In Ephesians 2:10 , the Apostle Paul writes, "For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life." Here, the term "workmanship" can be understood as God's handywork, indicating that humans are purposefully crafted by God. This verse highlights the belief that human life is not random but is designed with intention and purpose, reflecting God's creative genius.

3. God's Works in History:
The Bible frequently recounts the mighty acts of God as His handywork. In the Old Testament, the deliverance of Israel from Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, and the provision of manna in the wilderness are all seen as manifestations of God's powerful and purposeful actions. These events are celebrated as evidence of God's ongoing involvement in the world and His ability to shape history according to His divine will.

4. Artistic and Skilled Craftsmanship:
The concept of handywork also extends to human creativity and skill, which are seen as gifts from God. In Exodus 31:3-5 , God says of Bezalel, "And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, understanding, and ability in all kinds of craftsmanship, to design artistic works in gold, silver, and bronze, to cut gemstones for settings, and to carve wood, so that he may be a master of every craft." This passage illustrates that human artisanship is inspired by God, who endows individuals with the skills necessary to create beautiful and functional works.

Theological Implications:

The concept of handywork in the Bible serves to remind believers of God's sovereignty and creativity. It calls attention to the fact that all of creation is a reflection of God's character and attributes. The beauty and order found in the world are not accidental but are the result of divine intention and design. This understanding encourages a sense of awe and reverence for God, as well as a recognition of the value and purpose inherent in all of creation.

Furthermore, the acknowledgment of human beings as God's handywork reinforces the belief in the inherent dignity and worth of every person. It suggests that each individual is uniquely crafted by God and has a specific role to play in His divine plan. This perspective fosters a sense of responsibility among believers to live in a manner that honors their Creator and fulfills the purposes for which they were made.
Library

The Wisdom of Business and the Wisdom of Leisure
... So is the potter sitting at his work, and turning the wheel about with his feet,
who is alway anxiously set at his work, and all his handywork is by number; he ...
/.../select masterpieces of biblical literature/vi the wisdom of business.htm

Introduction to Proverbs viii. 22 Continued. Absurdity of ...
... Next, their folly may be exposed thus:"if even the Word be of originated nature,
how, whereas this nature is too feeble to be God's own handywork, could He ...
/.../chapter xvii introduction to proverbs viii.htm

External Foes.
... is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein."
"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth His handywork ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/the overcoming life/part iii external foes.htm

Finding God
... the heavens the work of His fingers, and exclaim, 'All Thy works praise Thee';
'The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth His handywork'. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/howard/standards of life and service/iv finding god.htm

Again, not Understanding the Meaning of the Words, "And God Ended ...
... are spoken in an improper and figurative sense, so that we may translate the following
expressions, "And the firmament showeth forth His handywork," [4602] and ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter lxi again not understanding.htm

September 28 Evening
... SEPTEMBER 28 EVENING. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament
sheweth his handywork."PSA.19:1. The invisible things ...
/.../anonymous/daily light on the daily path/september 28 evening.htm

March 15 Evening
... The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork."By
the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the ...
/.../anonymous/daily light on the daily path/march 15 evening.htm

Psalm LXXXIX.
... which declare the glory of God: as it is written by them, "The Heavens declare the
glory of God, and the firmament showeth His handywork." [4139] ...Since ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxxix.htm

On the Symbols of the Essence' and Coessential. '
... used of the Son; for He is offspring, and they are works: and therefore He, the
Son, is the proper offspring of His essence, but they are the handywork of his ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/part iii on the symbols.htm

The Endless Quest
... his mouth, till he will join his fellow-worshippers here in singing it: "The heavens
declare the glory of God, and the firmament sheweth His handywork." But it ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/whyte/lord teach us to pray/xxiii the endless quest.htm

Thesaurus
Handywork (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Handywork (1 Occurrence). Psalms 19:1 The heavens declare
the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. (KJV). ...
/h/handywork.htm - 6k

Hanes (1 Occurrence)

/h/hanes.htm - 9k

Firmament (17 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS ASV WBS RSV). Psalms 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
and the firmament sheweth his handywork. (KJV ASV WBS RSV). ...
/f/firmament.htm - 13k

Sheweth (34 Occurrences)
... evermore. (KJV DBY). Psalms 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
and the firmament sheweth his handywork. (KJV DBY). Psalms ...
/s/sheweth.htm - 16k

Hand-writing (1 Occurrence)
Hand-writing. Handwriting, Hand-writing. Handywork . Multi-Version Concordance ...
Handwriting, Hand-writing. Handywork . Reference Bible.
/h/hand-writing.htm - 6k

Resources
What was the firmament in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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