Are you right-handed, or a lefty? Did you know that there was once a time when one’s dexterity was used to stratify people? So the hand one favoured for basic tasks made a difference in how one was treated. Thankfully, that’s not a major practice anymore. The Bible actually includes references to the use of different hands, including God’s right hand. Not sure about my claim, then consider Today’s Holy Nougat.
Exodus 15:6 AFV
[6] Your right hand, O Lord, has become glorious in power. Your right hand, O Lord, has shattered the enemy in pieces.
God’s Right Hand
No one knows for sure what God looks like. Well, Y’shua does, but He focused on God in other ways. Yet, when we think of God, especially with ourselves in mind, we tend to perceive God as superhuman. So we speak of God seeing us, hearing us, touching and being touched, etc., perhaps in response to our theory of us being created in God’s image. I’m not disputing the theory, just laying the foundation of our Nougat.
Self-check
How do we imagine God to be? What form do we active to God?
Deeper Dive
When we hear or see references to God’s right hand, it usually relates to God’s presence, protection, and power. All these were demonstrated in this second leg of the Exodus journey. God’s presence was perhaps most constantly evident, through the manifestation of the angel and the pillar of fire. Wherever they went, the cloud was with them, offering the assurance that they were not alone.
God’s protection and God’s power were both demonstrated in the mighty midnight rescue. In fact, they spoke of God’s right hand shattering (power) the enemy to pieces (on their behalf – that’s protection). As the Exodus journey progressed, those attributes were proven multiple times. The Children of Israel did not necessarily dance and rejoice as they did at this first praise fest, but each time it happened, they were relieved.
God’s right hand is still at work today, protecting, and powerfully present for us in troubled times. Sometimes, we feel and see God at work even before the situation presents itself. At other times, it is a lesson on trust. The outcome is only partially determined by our faith and action.
The hymn, therefore, reflected on the past, the battle they had overcome by God’s intervention. But it was also a living document for the future… for their descendants like David, who referred to God’s right hand holding him up in Psalm 27. God’s right hand points to Y’shua, our Emmanuel (God with us, see Isaiah 7), assuring us that God’s right hand will also hold us up. How do we respond to that guarantee?
Prayer Point
Let’s pause to thank God for the constant protection, and God’s powerful presence with us.
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May all we seek be found in Christ
