Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, the concept of God making hands impotent is a recurring theme that underscores His sovereignty and power over human strength and ability. The imagery of hands often symbolizes human action, power, and capability. When God renders hands impotent, it signifies His intervention to thwart human plans or to demonstrate His supremacy.Biblical Instances: 1. The Tower of Babel: In Genesis 11, humanity's attempt to build a tower reaching the heavens is thwarted by God. The builders' hands, once strong and united in purpose, become impotent as God confuses their language, causing them to abandon their project. This act demonstrates God's authority over human endeavors: "So the LORD scattered them from there over the face of all the earth, and they stopped building the city" (Genesis 11:8). 2. The Philistines and the Ark of the Covenant: In 1 Samuel 5, the Philistines capture the Ark of the Covenant and place it in the temple of Dagon. God strikes the people of Ashdod with tumors, rendering their hands powerless to retain the Ark. The impotence of their hands is a direct result of God's judgment: "The hand of the LORD was heavy upon the people of Ashdod, and He devastated them and afflicted them with tumors" (1 Samuel 5:6). 3. King Jeroboam's Withered Hand: In 1 Kings 13, King Jeroboam stretches out his hand against a man of God, only for his hand to wither and become impotent. This miraculous event serves as a sign of God's power and a warning against disobedience: "But the hand he stretched out against him withered, so that he could not pull it back" (1 Kings 13:4). 4. Nebuchadnezzar's Humbling: In Daniel 4, King Nebuchadnezzar's pride leads to his downfall. God renders his royal power impotent, driving him to live like an animal until he acknowledges God's sovereignty. This humbling act illustrates that human power is subject to God's will: "He was driven away from mankind, and he ate grass like an ox, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven, until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird" (Daniel 4:33). Theological Implications: The theme of God making hands impotent serves as a reminder of His ultimate control over human affairs. It highlights the futility of human pride and self-reliance when set against divine will. Throughout Scripture, God demonstrates that He can nullify human strength to fulfill His purposes and to bring about His plans. Moral and Spiritual Lessons: 1. Dependence on God: Believers are encouraged to rely on God's strength rather than their own. The impotence of human hands in the face of divine intervention teaches the importance of humility and submission to God's will. 2. Divine Justice: God's ability to render hands impotent is often an act of justice, serving as a warning against sin and rebellion. It underscores the principle that God will not allow human wickedness to prevail indefinitely. 3. Acknowledgment of God's Sovereignty: Recognizing God's power to make hands impotent leads to a deeper understanding of His sovereignty. It calls for worship and reverence, acknowledging that all human power is ultimately subject to His authority. In summary, the biblical theme of God making hands impotent is a powerful testament to His control over human strength and endeavors. It serves as a reminder of the need for humility, dependence on God, and recognition of His supreme authority in all aspects of life. Torrey's Topical Textbook Job 5:12He disappoints the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Prayerless Christians The Secret of Power The Incense of Prayer Christ the Breaker Love's Triumph Sovereignty and Human Responsibility Introduction The Doctrines of Salvation A. Repentance. B. Faith. C. ... God's Sovereignty and the Human Will The Sovereignty of God in Salvation Resources Should we raise our hands/clap our hands during worship? | GotQuestions.orgLaying on of hands - what does the Bible say? | GotQuestions.org Why did Jesus say, “Into your hands I commit my spirit,” on the cross? | GotQuestions.org Hands: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics The Hands of the Wicked, Described as Bloody The Hands of the Wicked, Described as Ensnaring to Themselves The Hands of the Wicked, Described as Mischievous The Hands of the Wicked, Described as Slothful The Hands of the Wicked, Described as Violent The Hands were Lifted up in Blessing The Hands were Lifted up in Praise The Hands were Lifted up in Prayer The Hands were Lifted up in Taking an Oath The Hands were Washed in Token of Innocency The Hands were Washed: After Touching an Unclean Person The Hands were Washed: Before Eating The Hands: (Cutting off) of Extreme Self-Denial The Hands: (Lifted up Against Another) of Rebellion The Hands: (Opened) Liberality The Hands: (Shut) Illiberality The Hands: Clapped Together in Joy The Hands: Criminals often: Bound By The Hands: Criminals often: Deprived of The Hands: Criminals often: Hung By The Hands: Criminals often: Mutilated In The Hands: Custom of Domestics Pouring Water Upon, Alluded To The Hands: Distinguished as The Left The Hands: Distinguished as The Right The Hands: Imposition of, a First Principle of the Doctrine of Christ The Hands: Imposition of, Used in Blessing The Hands: Imposition of, Used in Conferring Civil Power The Hands: Imposition of, Used in Imparting the Gifts of the Holy Spirit The Hands: Imposition of, Used in Ordaining Ministers The Hands: Imposition of, Used in Setting Apart the Levites The Hands: Imposition of, Used in Transferring Guilt of Sacrifices The Hands: Kissed in Idolatrous Worship The Hands: Many Alike Expert With Both The Hands: Many had More Command of the Left The Hands: Necessary Members of the Body The Hands: Often Spread out in Prayer The Hands: Operations of, Mentioned: Feeling The Hands: Operations of, Mentioned: Holding The Hands: Operations of, Mentioned: Making Signs The Hands: Operations of, Mentioned: Striking The Hands: Operations of, Mentioned: Taking The Hands: Operations of, Mentioned: Working The Hands: Operations of, Mentioned: Writing The Hands: Parts of, Mentioned: The Fingers The Hands: Parts of, Mentioned: The Palm The Hands: Parts of, Mentioned: The Thumb The Hands: Placed Under the Thigh of a Person to Whom an Oath Was Made The Hands: Right Hand of Strength and Power The Hands: Right Hand: (Full of Bribes) of Corruption The Hands: Right Hand: (Full of Falsehood) of Deceitfulness The Hands: Right Hand: (Holding By) of Support The Hands: Right Hand: (Standing At) Protection The Hands: Right Hand: (Withdrawn) Support Withheld The Hands: Saints Blessed in the Work of The Hands: Servants Directed by Movements of The Hands: should be Employed in Acts of Benevolence The Hands: should be Employed in God's Service The Hands: should be Employed: Industriously The Hands: Smitten Together in Extreme Anger The Hands: Stretched out in Derision The Hands: Suretiship Entered Into by Striking The Hands: The Jews Carried a Staff In, when Walking The Hands: The Right Hand of Healed Leper Touched With Blood of his Sacrifice The Hands: The Right Hand of Healed Leper Touched With Oil The Hands: The Right Hand of Priests Touched With Blood of Consecration-Ram The Hands: The Right Hand used in Embracing The Hands: The Right Hand: Given in Token of Friendship The Hands: The Right Hand: Place of Honor The Hands: The Right Hand: Place of Power The Hands: The Right Hand: Signet Worn On The Hands: The Right Hand: Sworn By The Hands: The Right Hand: The Accuser Stood At, of the Accused The Hands: The Wicked Recompensed for the Work of The Hands: Treaties Made by Joining Related Terms The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |
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