Dig deeper for a better understanding of scripture

So, before I talk about what I discovered, let me assure you that pastors must look things up and study just like the rest of the world. There are some passages that we have taught on or preached numerous times that we know well. Examples of that would be passages we use at Advent (Christmas Season), Lent (40 days prior to Easter), Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and of course Christmas Eve and Easter. There are many others and some pastors may be able to recite this Isaiah passage from my heart, but I needed to take a peek to remember.

Isaiah 49: 16 “Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.”

You might have heard the first part of this verse. How beautiful it is to think upon our names engraved on the palm of His hands. The question was; what does the later part or part “b” of the verse mean? I could have made assumptions or even guessed. Instead, I set about to read the verses around this verse and understand what was happening at the time this was written.

This entire section (Isaiah 49) is full of the Lord Jesus Christ. According to one commentator, these words could have no other fulfillment except in the Lord alone! If you look at verse 1, especially see that. Isaiah 49:1b (second part) “The Lord called me before my birth; from within the womb, He called me by name.” The connection to the Lord is clear. We know that Jesus was called before He was even in the womb. Micah 5: 2 “ But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.”

I love all the foreshadowing and predictions of Christ. Seeing how they have come to fruition makes my faith stronger.

You can continue to read in Isaiah, but I want to drop down farther in the chapter. Let us pick up in Isaiah 49: 14 But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me.” Have you ever felt like you were unseen or forgotten? Especially when we feel that we are by the Lord, that can be so painful. Many people in the Bible felt just that way. The response in this section is several verses. Let us look for the sake of space just at verses 15 –16.

“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast

and have no compassion on the child she has borne?

Though she may forget,

I will not forget you!

16 See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;

your walls are ever before me.”

Oh, how wonderful that vision is for a mother providing for her child. When the girls were born, I was overwhelmed with love for them. To think that the little pokes, prods, and flutters I felt were now in my arms. Now that I have grandsons from one of the girls, I remember her vividly as a child. In Biblical times the relationship between a mother and child was seen as sacred and the womb was seen as a place of life and blessing. God is using this as an example which is almost impossible. A mother will not forget her child. The Lord is saying in essence “look even IF your mother could forget you, I never will!”

He goes even farther when He states “See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.” Can you think of another time that marks on hands serve or represent something important in scripture? Yes, you are spot on ... the crucifixion. The Lord is letting us know that He will never forget us, not ever. But what do the walls represent? What walls?

He is referring to the walls of Jerusalem. They are seen as protection. They keep out what could harm them. So, how do walls and hands go together? Well, I see the following:

I see the hands of the Lord as protection.

Holding my hand.

Taking my sin upon the cross with the hands of the Messiah being pierced.

His hands extending bread and wine to me for restoration, renewal, and reconnection.

The same way the walls keep things that might harm me away; the Lord’s hands shield me from what could harm me!

Do not be afraid to look up what you do not understand. Online commentaries like Enduring Word or Bible Hub can help you get a better picture of the time period, the history, and the connections throughout the entirety of scripture. May you rest this week with the comfort of knowing your name is on the providing hands of the Lord.