DOES GOD HAVE A WITHERED ARM?

EXODUS 6:1–8

I am the Lord. I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God Almighty, but by my name the Lord I did not make myself known to them.

(Exodus 6:2–3).

The focus of the name El Shaddai is on the power and strength of God. In the New Testament, the word that translates El Shaddai is the Greek word Pantocrator, the One who is all-powerful. This name for God communicates God’s strength by which He is sufficient to rule, govern, and exercise His sovereignty over the entire created order.

The right hand of the Lord

The strength of God Himself is frequently symbolized in the Bible by the metaphor of a strong right hand. One of my favorite passages on this subject is found in Numbers 11. In that story we find that the Israelites were grumbling because they were tired of eating nothing but manna. God then said that He would give the people meat to eat, enough for a whole month. Moses was amazed. He just couldn’t believe it.

Coming to Numbers 11:23 we read, “The Lord answered Moses, ‘Is the Lord’s arm too short?’ ” It’s almost as if God were saying, “Moses, look at me for a minute. Do I look like a deity with a withered arm? Has something happened to me since I dealt with Pharaoh? Have I suddenly become crippled? Do you think you are dealing with an impotent God?”

Then God flatly declares, “You will now see whether or not what I say will come true for you.”

God is strong on behalf of His people

It is as if God rolled up His sleeve, flexed His muscles, and said, “Moses, who do you think I am? I am El Shaddai. I am the One who thunders. I am the One who is sufficient. I am the Overpowerer. Now sit back and see if I don’t do what I have said I will do.”

We all know of people who have made idle boasts, but when the crunch came, they could not perform. We sometimes tend to project this human failing onto God, as if He were either a liar or a weakling. But the God we believe in and worship has the ability to do what He says He will do. He has the power to fulfill every promise He has made to His people—to me and to you.

CORAM DEO

God still fulfills each of His promises. Write an example recalling how you have seen Him fulfill a promise. Describe the power He displayed in bringing it to pass.

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