“…I, the LORD your God, WILL HOLD YOUR RIGHT HAND, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I WILL HELP YOU.’” (Isa. 41:13) I often wondered why the right hand is mentioned in this verse. What is the relevance of it? Why not the left hand, or just HAND in general? As I began doing some research, I noticed the two words “right” and “hand” together are mentioned at least 132 times in the Holy Bible; and, from what I could tell, these verses show us four different purposes/meanings for the “right hand.”
These are some instances where it’s used BENITA;
- LITERALLY: “Now when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on the head of Ephraim, it displeased him; so he took hold of his father’s hand to remove it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. And Joseph said to his father, “Not so, my father, for this one is the firstborn; PUT YOUR RIGHT HAND ON HIS HEAD.” (Gen. 48:17-18)
- AS A DIRECTION: The Hebrews – oriented themselves by the place where the sun rises, in many biblical passages “right” means “south” and “left” means “north.” Solomon said, “A wise man’s heart is at his right hand, But a fool’s heart at his left.” (Eccl. 10:2) “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered…And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.” (Matt. 25:31-33)
- A LOCATION OF HONOR: “…looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the RIGHT HAND of the throne of God.” (Heb. 12:2)
- GIVING HELP OR STRENGTH: “You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your RIGHT HAND has held me up, Your gentleness has MADE ME GREAT.” (Psa. 18:35)
Listen to this wonderful blessing from God, “You go before me and follow me. You place your RIGHT HAND OF BLESSING ON MY HEAD.” (Psa. 139:5)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham