Topical Encyclopedia The concept of hands in the Bible often symbolizes action, power, and blessing. Throughout Scripture, the hands of the saints are depicted as instruments through which God accomplishes His divine purposes. The work of the hands is frequently associated with diligence, skill, and divine favor, reflecting the broader biblical theme that God blesses the labor of the righteous.Biblical Foundations The Bible consistently emphasizes the importance of diligent work and the blessings that accompany it. In Proverbs 31:31, the virtuous woman is praised: "Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her at the gates." This passage highlights the honor and recognition that come from industrious and faithful labor. In the Old Testament, the work of the hands is often linked to God's provision and blessing. Deuteronomy 28:12 promises, "The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of His bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands." Here, the prosperity of the Israelites is directly connected to their obedience and the subsequent blessing of their labor. New Testament Insights The New Testament continues this theme, emphasizing that the work of the hands should be done as unto the Lord. Colossians 3:23-24 instructs, "Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men, because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." This passage underscores the spiritual dimension of work, elevating it from mere human effort to an act of worship and service to God. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, often speaks of his own labor and the labor of others in the ministry. In Acts 20:34-35, Paul reminds the Ephesian elders, "You yourselves know that these hands of mine have ministered to my own needs and those of my companions. In everything, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus Himself: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" Paul's example illustrates the selfless nature of work done in the service of others and the blessing that comes from such labor. Theological Implications Theologically, the work of the hands is seen as a participation in God's creative and redemptive work. Genesis 2:15 describes how God placed Adam in the Garden of Eden "to work it and take care of it," indicating that work is part of God's original design for humanity. The hands of the saints, therefore, are not only tools for personal gain but are also instruments through which God's kingdom is advanced on earth. Moreover, the hands are often used in Scripture as a means of imparting blessing. In the act of laying on of hands, as seen in Acts 13:3, where the church in Antioch laid hands on Paul and Barnabas before sending them off on their missionary journey, the hands become a conduit of divine commissioning and empowerment. Practical Application For believers today, the biblical teaching on the hands encourages a view of work that is both practical and spiritual. It calls for diligence, integrity, and a recognition that all labor, whether secular or sacred, is an opportunity to glorify God. The promise of God's blessing on the work of the hands serves as a motivation for Christians to pursue excellence and faithfulness in all their endeavors, trusting that their labor is not in vain when done in the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58). In summary, the hands of the saints, blessed in their work, reflect a life of obedience, service, and divine favor, embodying the biblical principle that God honors and prospers the diligent efforts of His people. Torrey's Topical Textbook Deuteronomy 2:7For the LORD your God has blessed you in all the works of your hand: he knows your walking through this great wilderness: these forty years the LORD your God has been with you; you have lacked nothing. Torrey's Topical Textbook Deuteronomy 30:9 Job 1:10 Psalm 90:17 Library Love in the Blessed Ones. The Work of Christ. The Best Things Work for Good to the Godly Why all Things Work for Good The Work of the Holy Spirit 'Into Thy Hands' His Future Work On the Presentation of the Blessed virgin, or on the Octave of Her ... Heavenly Rest On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. Chap. v. 3 and 8, "Blessed are ... Resources When Jesus was nailed to the cross, did the nails go through His hands or His wrists? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” sermon? | GotQuestions.org Is “idle hands are the devil's workshop” a biblical statement? | 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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