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

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The concept of "the hand of God" is a powerful metaphor used throughout the Bible to signify God's might, authority, and active involvement in the world. This expression is a vivid illustration of divine intervention, guidance, and protection, reflecting the omnipotence and sovereignty of God over creation and history.

Creation and Sovereignty

The hand of God is first seen in the act of creation, where His power is manifest in bringing the universe into existence. Psalm 19:1 declares, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands." This imagery underscores God's supreme authority and creative power, as everything that exists is a result of His handiwork.

Deliverance and Protection

The hand of God is frequently associated with deliverance and protection for His people. In Exodus, the liberation of the Israelites from Egypt is attributed to God's mighty hand. Exodus 13:3 states, "Remember this day, the day you came out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. For the LORD brought you out of it by the strength of His hand." Here, God's hand is a symbol of His power to save and His faithfulness to His covenant promises.

Judgment and Discipline

Conversely, the hand of God is also depicted as an instrument of judgment and discipline. In the book of Daniel, King Belshazzar witnesses a mysterious hand writing on the wall, foretelling the fall of his kingdom (Daniel 5:5). This event illustrates God's authority to execute judgment and His control over the rise and fall of nations.

Guidance and Provision

The hand of God is a source of guidance and provision for His people. In Isaiah 41:10, God reassures His people, "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." This promise highlights God's commitment to support and sustain His followers, offering them strength and direction.

Empowerment and Commissioning

In the New Testament, the hand of God is associated with empowerment and commissioning. Acts 11:21 records, "The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord." Here, the hand of God signifies divine empowerment for the early church's mission, resulting in the spread of the Gospel and the growth of the Christian community.

Healing and Restoration

The healing ministry of Jesus often involved the physical touch of His hand, symbolizing God's power to heal and restore. In Mark 1:41, Jesus reaches out His hand to a leper, saying, "I am willing, be clean," and the man is immediately healed. This act demonstrates the compassionate and restorative power of God's hand in the lives of individuals.

Eternal Security

Finally, the hand of God represents eternal security for believers. In John 10:28-29, Jesus assures His followers, "I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand. My Father who has given them to Me is greater than all. No one can snatch them out of My Father's hand." This promise emphasizes the unassailable security and protection found in the hands of God.

Throughout Scripture, the hand of God is a multifaceted symbol of His power, presence, and purpose. It conveys His ability to create, deliver, judge, guide, empower, heal, and secure, reflecting the comprehensive nature of His divine authority and love.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 9:3,15
Behold, the hand of the LORD is on your cattle which is in the field, on the horses, on the asses, on the camels, on the oxen, and on the sheep: there shall be a very grievous murrain.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 48:13
My hand also has laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand has spanned the heavens: when I call to them, they stand up together.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Bread of God
... For once, He showed these men His hand at work, that we all might ... eaten in the
wilderness is that men are fed by the power of God's expressed and active will ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the bread of god.htm

The First Blast of the Trumpet
... over Men repugneth to the will of GOD expressed in His ... in so doing they lift their
hand against GOD, and that one day they shall find His power to fight ...
//christianbookshelf.org/knox/the first blast of the trumpet/title page.htm

God's Fellow-Workers
... in which I desire to look at this great idea expressed in these ... Judgment will begin
at the house of God. ... reveals and tests has also in it a power of destruction ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/gods fellow-workers.htm

Psalm CXXI.
... It is as if one thought were expressed in two sentences; the man while ascending
and singing "the song of degrees," saith ... Because the power of God also is ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxxi.htm

The Sympathy of God
... at Peniel, says, first, that 'he had power with God, yea, he had power over the
angel ... That special relation to the divine revelation is expressed by both the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the sympathy of god.htm

The God who Dwells with Men
... anticipation and forward look of the Old Testament system is gathered into and
expressed by almost ... The Gospel of Christ 'is the power of God unto salvation ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/the god who dwells with.htm

The Enthroned Christ
... human nature within that state, and no power in a ... at Christ's sitting at the right
hand of God as presenting ... It is the same thought which is expressed in those ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the enthroned christ.htm

The Writing on God's Hands
... or, as the same idea is otherwise expressed, 'it shall be ... graven upon his shoulder,
the seat of power, and upon ... God holds out the mighty Hand which works all ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the writing on gods hands.htm

The Test of Discipleship
... the standard of God's holy law, as expressed in the ... that Satan's delusions have lost
their power; that the vivifying influence of the Spirit of God is arousing ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/steps to christ/chapter 7 the test of.htm

The Doctrine of God
... to see not His hand and finger, denoting His power and skill ... while in Righteousness
and Justice that character is expressed in the dealings of God with men. ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrine of god.htm