The term "stretched-out-arm" is a biblical metaphor often used to describe the power and might of God, particularly in the context of deliverance and judgment. This imagery is deeply rooted in the narrative of the Exodus, where God's intervention on behalf of the Israelites is depicted with vivid and powerful language.

Biblical Context and Usage

1. Exodus and Deliverance: The most prominent use of the "stretched-out-arm" is found in the account of the Exodus, where God delivers the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. In Exodus 6:6 , God declares, "Therefore tell the Israelites: ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment.'" Here, the "outstretched arm" symbolizes God's active and powerful intervention in history to save His people.

2. Divine Power and Judgment: The phrase is also associated with God's judgment against the enemies of Israel. In Deuteronomy 4:34 , Moses reminds the Israelites of God's unique acts: "Or has any god ever tried to take for himself one nation out of another nation, by trials, by signs and wonders, by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, and by great terrors, as the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your very eyes?" The "outstretched arm" here underscores God's unparalleled power in executing judgment and delivering His people.

3. Sovereignty and Authority: The imagery extends beyond the Exodus narrative to affirm God's sovereignty over all creation. In Jeremiah 32:17 , the prophet exclaims, "Ah, Lord GOD! It is You who have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for You!" This usage highlights God's creative authority and His ability to accomplish His purposes.

4. Covenant Faithfulness: The "stretched-out-arm" also serves as a reminder of God's covenant faithfulness. In Psalm 136:12 , the psalmist recounts God's enduring love and mighty deeds: "with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, His loving devotion endures forever." This reflects the ongoing relationship between God and His people, characterized by His steadfast love and powerful acts on their behalf.

Theological Significance

The "stretched-out-arm" is a powerful theological symbol that conveys several key aspects of God's character:

· Omnipotence: It emphasizes God's supreme power and ability to intervene in human history, demonstrating His control over all events and circumstances.
· Deliverance: The imagery is closely tied to the theme of salvation, illustrating God's willingness and capability to rescue His people from oppression and danger.
· Judgment: It also serves as a warning of God's righteous judgment against sin and rebellion, affirming His justice and holiness.
· Faithfulness: The repeated use of this metaphor throughout Scripture underscores God's unwavering commitment to His covenant promises and His people.

In summary, the "stretched-out-arm" is a rich biblical motif that encapsulates the might, authority, and faithfulness of God, offering assurance of His active presence and intervention in the lives of His people.

Psalm CXXXVI.
... He brought out also His saints and faithful ones from the midst of the wicked.
"With a mighty Hand and stretched-out Arm" (ver.12). ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxxxvi.htm

Argument. --And That, Although Scripture Often Changes the Divine ...
... of God;" [5041] or when the people of the children of Israel are set free from the
land of Egypt "with a mighty hand and with a stretched out arm;" [5042] or ...
/.../chapter vi argument and that although.htm

Light through Darkness
... "Ah Lord God!" he prayed, "behold, Thou hast made the heaven and the earth by Thy
great power and stretched-out arm, and there is nothing too hard for Thee ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 38 light through darkness.htm

King of Kings and Lord of Lords
... of Israel were more honoured, in the view of the surrounding nations, when they
were brought from Egypt with a high hand and with a stretched out arm; and when ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xxxviii king of kings.htm

May 4 Morning
... behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched
out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee."Who delivered us from so ...
/.../anonymous/daily light on the daily path/may 4 morning.htm

The Temple and Its Dedication
... stranger, which is not of Thy people Israel, but is come from a far country for
Thy great name's sake, and Thy mighty hand, and Thy stretched-out arm; if they ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 2 the temple and.htm

Results of Transgression
... "They shall hear," the king pleaded, "of Thy great name, and of Thy strong hand,
and of Thy stretched-out arm." In behalf of every one of these stranger ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 4 results of transgression.htm

The Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
... The power by which he rules his people is not the strong hand and the stretched-
out arm of police or soldiery, but by deeds of love and words of overflowing ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/the triumphal entry into jerusalem.htm

To the Saddest of the Sad
... I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you
out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 34 1888/to the saddest of the.htm

Appeal to the Christian Women of the South
... an Aaron, and a Miriam, to bring them up out of the land of Egypt from the house
of bondage, cannot now, with a high hand and a stretched out arm, rid the poor ...
/.../an appeal to the christian women of the south/appeal to the christian women.htm

Stretched-out-arm (1 Occurrence)
Stretched-out-arm. Stretched-out, Stretched-out-arm. Stretchedst .
Multi-Version Concordance Stretched-out-arm (1 Occurrence). ...
/s/stretched-out-arm.htm - 6k

Stretched-out (21 Occurrences)
Stretched-out. Stretched-forth, Stretched-out. Stretched-out-arm . Multi-Version
Concordance ... (YLT). Stretched-forth, Stretched-out. Stretched-out-arm . ...
/s/stretched-out.htm - 13k

Powerful (93 Occurrences)
... thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt, and that Jehovah thy God brought thee
out thence with a powerful hand and with a stretched-outarm; therefore Jehovah ...
/p/powerful.htm - 34k

Outpoured (3 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 20:33 I live -- an affirmation of the Lord Jehovah, Do not I, with a strong
hand, And with a stretched-outarm, And with fury poured out -- rule over ...
/o/outpoured.htm - 7k

Broughtest (17 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS ASV DBY). Deuteronomy 9:29 Yet they are thy people and thine inheritance,
which thou broughtest out by thy mighty power and by thy stretchedoutarm. ...
/b/broughtest.htm - 11k

Prayed (97 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 8:42 (for they hear of Thy great name, and of Thy strong hand, and of Thy
stretched-outarm) -- and he hath come in and prayed towards this house, (YLT ...
/p/prayed.htm - 35k

Whomever (22 Occurrences)
... unto your lords, I -- I have made the earth with man, and the cattle that 'are'
on the face of the earth, by My great power, and by My stretched-outarm, and I ...
/w/whomever.htm - 13k

Fears (40 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 7:19 The great punishments which your eyes saw, and the signs and the
wonders and the strong hand and the stretched-outarm, by which the Lord your ...
/f/fears.htm - 18k

Fearest (10 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 7:19 the great trials which thine eyes saw, and the signs, and the wonders,
and the powerful hand, and the stretched-outarm, whereby Jehovah thy ...
/f/fearest.htm - 9k

Temptations (9 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 7:19 The great temptations which thine eyes saw, and the signs, and
the wonders, and the mighty hand, and the stretchedoutarm, whereby the LORD ...
/t/temptations.htm - 8k

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