Author's Note: Readers can find all previous volumes of this series here. The first 56 volumes are compiled into the book "Bible Study For Those Who Don't Read The Bible." Part Two, featuring volumes 57-113, will be published later this year.
Thanks for joining us today for our study about the “Right Hand of God.” After feeling “called” to write about this familiar phrase that permeates Scripture, I asked Jonathan Cahn for his definition. Cahn — a Messianic Jewish rabbi, Hope of the World ministries leader, and No. 1 best-selling Harbinger series author — wrote, “The right hand is the hand of power.”
Upon reading Rabbi Cahn’s email on my phone, I was struck by the irony. In our modern age, we think we have “power” endowed to us through our handheld devices. Consider all the tweets, photos, videos, news, or gossip scoops that instantly ricochet locally and globally — regardless of whether they are “real” or “fake.”
From our handheld device, power is defined by the number of “followers” that qualifies you as an “influencer.” But even if you are not an official “influencer,” you can be powerfully “influential” by simply texting “praying for you” to a friend going through a tough time.
Our handheld device — a conduit to a range of human emotions — enables us to give and receive love, and feel secure, connected, appreciated, respected, and in touch. But, it is easy to forget that the power we derive from our devices is fleeting and man-made.
For example, if all the communication satellites suddenly fell to earth, poof goes our power. Last year my phone malfunctioned and literally went dark. Then, during the four days it took to procure a replacement, I felt disconnected and “powerless.” My hand without its handheld had lost its power. Worse, I hated knowing that I had been so tethered to my phone and despised the high-tech gods to whom we must all bow.
But the right hand of God never loses its eternal power, and no charging is needed! Instead, He “charges” us through truth and prayer in Him. Yet, we often forget about the power of God’s right hand because our right hand is so busy holding our new “god.”
Now, we turn to some selected verses in the Old Testament about the right hand of God. The Bible’s first verse specifically mentioning God’s “right hand” is from the book of Exodus — “Song of Moses and Miriam” — discussed in Vol. 116:
“Your right hand, Lord, was majestic in power. Your right hand, Lord, shattered the enemy” (Exodus 15:6).
The next verse is familiar to loyal readers since we studied it recently in Vol. 122: “The New Testament’s Most Often Quoted Psalms.” Moreover, the verse is the No. 1 most quoted Psalm. Why? God's authority is connected to Jesus and given to Him. Thus, the New Testament writers continually requoted Jesus, who quoted:
"The Lord says to my lord: 'Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet'" (Psalm 110-1).
Next (but long before Psalm 110) are the magnificent verses from Psalm 16 credited to David. These verses summarize why one must have faith, trust, and love for the Lord. Notice how David keeps the Lord “at my right hand.” Perhaps that signifies David’s close relationship with the Almighty? Occasionally, I recommend taping verses to your refrigerator, and these qualify:
“I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay. You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand” (Psalm 16:8-11).
Numerous Psalms mention God’s right hand, but this next one delineates between God’s two hands: One hand punishes while the right hand delivers:
“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me” (Psalm 138-7).
The book of Isaiah has several right-hand references. Here are two:
“So 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” (Isaiah 41:10).
And again, a division of labor between His hands according to God:
“My own hand laid the foundations of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens; when I summon them, they all stand up together” (Isaiah: 48:13).
Time for the New Testament, where, after His Resurrection, Jesus sits exalted at the right hand of God the Father with honor and great glory. Again, see Vol. 122 for gospel verses and others that requote Psalm 110-1, but now we lead with a verse from Acts:
“God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins” (Acts 5:31).
Paul tells us what Jesus does at God’s right hand:
“Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us” (Romans 8:34).
In Ephesians, Paul writes about God’s power in relation to Jesus:
[God’s] “incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come” (Ephesians 1:19-21).
Finally, Peter weighs in with a similar theme:
“Who [Jesus] has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him” (1 Peter 3:22).
What did we learn today? The Old Testament establishes the right hand of God is the hand upon which He blesses and delivers. The highest place of honor to whom He conveys His power and authority is seated next to His right hand. In the New Testament, it is repeatedly written that Jesus says He will, and does, occupy that place.
The power of God is eternal. His right hand will always trump whatever power we think we have in our right hands derived from our high-tech man-made devices.
Myra Kahn Adams is a conservative political and religious writer with numerous national credits. Her book, "Bible Study For Those Who Don't Read The Bible,” reprints the first 56 volumes of this popular study. Myra is also Executive Director of SignFromGod.org, a ministry dedicated to Shroud of Turin education. SignFromGod was a proud sponsor of all the Museum of the Bible’s events for its five-month exhibition about the Shroud of Turin. Contact: MyraAdams01@gmail.com or Twitter @MyraKAdams.
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