Right Hand by Robin Densmore Fuson

 

Are you right-handed or left-handed? Which is your dominate hand?

Right hand can mean a side or direction as in Right-hand side. Or not false but correct and on the side of truth.  

The Bible refers to the right hand on numerous occasions. When one of the patriarchs, in the Old Testament, gave the first born his blessing, he put his right hand on their head. In Genesis 48:13-20, Jacob was at the end of his life and doling out blessings to his children and adopted Joseph’s two sons as his own—Manasseh being the eldest and Ephraim the second born. Joseph tried to lift Jacob’s Right hand from Ephraim and place it on Manasseh’s, but Jacob said, no, my right hand stays as Ephraim will become greater than Manasseh. The larger blessing went to the oldest.

Another thing about the right hand is putting someone of importance on your right-hand side. In a proper table setting, the host or hostess gives the right-hand spot to the guest of honor. God, the Father, after raising Jesus from the dead placed, Jesus on His right-hand side (Ephesians 1:19).

When God the Father refers to His right hand, He is referring to Messiah (Psalm 110:1& 118:16).

In Psalms 16, we find comfort as the Psalmist reminds us we are safe on God’s right-hand side and from His right-hand we receive joy.

In Scripture we also see metaphors of God’s strength, power, and holding us up with His right hand (Exodus 15:6 &12, Psalm 18:35, 20:6, 63:8, 98:1). His Right hand guides us and sustains us (Psalm 139:10).

We can have confidence in God’s right hand.

Jesus showed His right hand in Revelation chapter 1. In verses 16-17 he speaks of his right hand. John saw the resurrected glorified Jesus. Jesus held seven stars in His right hand. Those stars are the messengers or pastors of the seven churches, which are described in chapters 1-3. Jesus holds them. They are dear to His heart. When John fell before Jesus, Jesus reached out to John, placing his right-hand on John comforting him in his fear.

Another place we see the right hand is in Galatians 2:9, where the early church believers accepted Paul and Barnabas with the right hand of fellowship. Various churches over the centuries have adopted that practice when someone joins the membership of the church they are extended the right hand of fellowship—accepted as one of them.

The right hand is important. It doesn’t matter if your dominate or preferred hand is the right or the left. What matters is knowing how special you are as God holds you in His right hand, giving you exceeding blessings, comfort, and protection. Are you his child? Are you a follower of Jesus? Then, the Father extends His right hand to you. Grab it. Clasp it. Hold on.