Topical Bible: The Power of God: Expressed by the Arm of God

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Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of the "Arm of God" is a vivid metaphor used throughout the Bible to express the power, strength, and might of the Almighty. This imagery is deeply rooted in the cultural and historical context of the ancient Near East, where the arm symbolized power and authority. In the biblical narrative, the "Arm of God" is often depicted as an instrument of deliverance, judgment, and salvation.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, the "Arm of God" is frequently associated with God's deliverance of Israel from bondage and His ongoing protection and provision for His people. One of the most prominent examples is found in the Exodus narrative. In Exodus 6:6 , God declares, "Therefore tell the Israelites: ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment.'" Here, the "outstretched arm" signifies God's active intervention in history to liberate His people.

The Psalms also celebrate the power of God's arm. Psalm 89:13 states, "Mighty is Your arm, strong is Your hand; Your right hand is exalted." This verse emphasizes the strength and exaltation of God's power, portraying His arm as a source of might and authority.

Isaiah frequently uses the imagery of God's arm to convey both judgment and salvation. In Isaiah 51:9 , the prophet calls upon God, "Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in days of old, as in generations of long ago." This plea for divine intervention reflects the belief in God's historical acts of salvation and the hope for future deliverance.

New Testament Fulfillment

In the New Testament, the "Arm of God" is understood in the context of the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Gospel of John presents Jesus as the ultimate revelation of God's power and salvation. John 12:38 quotes Isaiah, saying, "Lord, who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?" This passage identifies Jesus as the embodiment of God's powerful arm, bringing salvation to humanity.

The Apostle Paul also reflects on the power of God in Christ. In Ephesians 1:19-20 , he writes about "the surpassing greatness of His power to us who believe. He displayed this power in the working of His mighty strength, which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms." Here, the resurrection and exaltation of Christ are seen as the ultimate demonstration of God's powerful arm.

Theological Implications

The imagery of the "Arm of God" underscores the belief in God's active involvement in the world. It conveys His ability to intervene in human history, execute judgment, and provide salvation. This metaphor reassures believers of God's sovereignty and His commitment to fulfill His promises.

Throughout Scripture, the "Arm of God" serves as a reminder of His faithfulness and power. It calls believers to trust in His strength and to rely on His mighty acts for deliverance and protection. The arm of God is not merely a symbol of power but a testament to His enduring love and covenantal relationship with His people.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Job 40:9
Have you an arm like God? or can you thunder with a voice like him?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 52:10
The LORD has made bore his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

He Further Shows the Operations of God to be Expressed by Human ...
... the operations of God to be expressed by human ... expression His effective and operative
power, and as ... this kind those conceptions concerning God which correspond ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 4 he further shows.htm

The Being of God
... The thing expressed. ... The angels are created, God is a Spirit uncreated. The angels
are finite, and capable of being annihilated; the same power which made them ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/1 the being of god.htm

The God who Dwells with Men
... the Old Testament system is gathered into and expressed by almost ... which will fit
us to dwell with God, our present blessedness, all our power for daily ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/the god who dwells with.htm

Man's True Treasure in God
... is expressed here (as in common conversation it is often expressed) by the ... Through
Christ the Son you will receive power to become sons of God, and 'if ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/mans true treasure in god.htm

How to Know the Will of God
... these instruments, however, has but little power in its ... this great instrument for
finding out God's will, this ... Obedience, as it is sometimes expressed, is the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/the ideal life/how to know the will.htm

The Spirit of Power
... thereof.' Elisha takes no notice of the grief and reverence expressed by the ... we look
at the Christian man as possessor of the communicated power of God. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the spirit of power.htm

Jod.
... Since, if the creative [5230] power of God be ... of His members; "in the righteousnesses
of God," not in ... he signifieth a wish, he hath here expressed himself in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/jod.htm

John Chapter xii. 37-43
... as His grace enables us, let us think of that power and wisdom of God by which ... speech,
things which, as they really exist, cannot be expressed in words ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate liii john chapter xii.htm

Of the Eternal Election, by which God Has Predestinated Some to ...
... This is clearly expressed by Moses in a few words ... that on those with whom God makes
the covenant, he ... the Spirit of regeneration, by whose power they persevere ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 21 of the eternal.htm

The Songs of the Fugitive.
... Thus in the sanctuary have I gazed upon Thee, to see Thy power and Thy glory ... The
fulness of satisfaction when God fills the soul is vividly expressed in the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/xv the songs of the.htm