The Right Hand by G. W. A.

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 20, 1874

The Right Hand.

By G. W. A.

The hands are the emblems of human actions. Pure hands are pure actions; unholy hands signify deeds of injustice; bloody hands, great wickedness, etc. The hand, in general, is the symbol of power and strength; and the right hand particularly so. To hold by the right hand, is a strong figure denoting protection and power. The frequent use of the term “right hand,” in the Scriptures, is interesting, and generally explains itself.

In blessing the two sons of Joseph, Jacob, preferring Ephraim before Manasseh, laid his right hand on Ephraim’s head. Gen. 48:14. In the song of Moses, he declares that the right hand of the Lord is full of power. Ex. 15:6. In consecrating Aaron and his sons to the priests’ office, the blood was put upon the tips of their right ears, and the great toes of their right feet, and upon the thumbs of their right hands. Ex. 29:20. When the Lord came down upon Mount Sinai, Moses says, “From his right hand went a fiery law.” Deut. 33:2. In the inspired song of Deborah and Barak, Jael is praised for laying her right hand to the workman’s hammer and taking the oppressor’s life. Judges 5:26. David says, “I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand I shall not be moved;” and again he adds, “At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Ps. 16:8, 11. In the book of Psalms alone, the right hand of the Lord is mentioned and praised over thirty times. A promise to the church for the time of trouble says, “A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand, but it shall not come nigh thee.” Ps. 90:7. In the prophecy of Judas it reads, “Let Satan stand at his right hand.” Ps. 109:6. The Father says of the Son, “Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.” Ps. 110:1. The Jews in captivity said, “If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning.” Ps. 137:5. Of the wicked it is said, “Their right hand is a right hand of falsehood.” Ps. 144:8. Concerning wisdom it is written, “Length of days is in her right hand.” Prov. 3:16. The Lord says to Isaiah, “My right hand hath spanned the heavens.” Isa. 48:13. Jehovah swears by his right hand. Isa. 62:8. Jesus said to the high priest at his trial, “Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God.” Mark 14:62; Luke 22:69. When our Saviour is mentioned in his priestly character, he is spoken of as STANDING at the right hand of God. Acts 7:55. When spoken of in his kingly character, he is represented as SITTING at the right hand of God. Eph. 1:20. Christ’s care of the church is presented under the emblem of seven stars in his right hand. Rev. 1:16. In the last great struggle between truth and error, those who yield to the requirements of the image beast, receive a mark in their right hand. Rev. 13:16.

From these texts, and many others which might be quoted, it is very clear that the right hand is a continual emblem of favor, protection, and power. G. W. A.