November 21, 2009

• The Book of Isaiah Chapter 1 V.15

  Isa 1:15 And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.

  This spreading forth of hands apparently is an act of desperation. The definition of spread forth is as follows.

  1) to spread, spread out, stretch, break in pieces
  a) (Qal)
  1) to spread out, display
  2) to spread over
  b) (Niphal) to be scattered, be spread out
  c) (Piel)
  1) to spread out
  1) to scatter

  The definition for hands also confirm this in my mind.

  1) palm, hand, sole, palm of the hand, hollow or flat of the hand
  a) palm, hollow or flat of the hand
  b) power
  c) sole (of the foot)
  d) hollow, objects, bending objects, bent objects
  1) of thigh-joint
  2) pan, vessel (as hollow)
  3) hollow (of sling)
  4) hand-shaped branches or fronds (of palm trees)
  5) handles (as bent)

  It’s interesting that the word “hollow” pops up in these definitions four times, as well as the word “power.” It strikes me that whatever power they thought they had via prayer was hollow, or their efforts were hollow.

  “I will hide mine eyes from you,” speaks of mental and spiritual faculties.  At this point of desperation, people will be making many prayers, but it will all be hollow effort, because He’s going to hide His mental and spiritual faculties from them, and not hear them or not pay attention.

  The reason, He says, is that their “hands” are full of blood. There’s a difference in the meaning of hands here versus earlier in the verse. Hands here refer to the hand of man, as well as to strength and power.

  The word “full” here refers to being full, accomplished and to have abundance. In other words, they became accomplished via the blood of others. They either used, abused or stepped on others in ways that caused the ruin of others.

  The word “blood” here has a figurative connotation of “wine.” It makes me think that those left desolate in their path, became drunkards. People don’t seem to understand or care much about the effect they have on the lives of others, but God does, and it matters a great deal to Him that one of His children is not misdirected or permanently damaged by the selfishness of others.

  • 11:56 pm
  • 6 Comments